Yummy treats abound at costume or Halloween parties. From hotdogs on sticks, ice cream to chocolate cupcakes, these treats not only tickle your kid’s palate, but also likely to stain his Peter Pan costume. One of the things that can mar your kid’s Peter Pan costume is unsightly staining. Without proper intervention, the lifespan of the costume may be cut short, and you have to buy a new Peter Pan costume the next time your kid will need one.

The following are some quick fixes on stains that are usually present at costume or Halloween parties:

  • Ketchup or Tomato Sauce – Remove as much of the ketchup or tomato sauce as possible, then run cold water through the back side of the fabric to force excess stain out. Do not run cold water on the front of the stain as it will only push it further into the fabric. Rub liquid detergent starting from outside the stained area, working your way in with circular motion. Rinse with cold water. Repeat the application of liquid detergent as necessary.
  • Chocolate – Harden a melted chocolate stain by placing an ice cube on top of it for a while, or placing the costume in the refrigerator. Once hardened, scrape off the chocolate with a blunt edge of a rubber spatula, careful not to do it too hard as to damage the Peter Pan costume’s fabric. Apply liquid detergent on the stained area by rubbing in circular fashion and let it stay there for 5-10 minutes. Rinse with cold water.
  • Mustard – As soon as you see mustard on the Peter Pan costume of your kid, remove as much of it as possible using a spoon or the dull edge of a knife. Let cold water run through the back side of the stained fabric. Rub liquid detergent for a few seconds, and then rinse with cold water. Repeat the rubbing of liquid detergent and rinsing with cold water until none of the mustard stain remains.
  • Oil or Grease – Instead of wiping oil or grease off the fabric, sprinkle with baby powder, flour or cornstarch until the entire spot is covered. This will help absorb excess oil. Brush away the powder and place paper towel onto the front and back of the fabric to absorb remaining oil. Using a soft sponge, gently apply liquid detergent, rub with small circular motion, and rinse with warm water.
  • Soft Drinks – Try to remove as much soft drinks stain on the fabric as you can with a clean, dry cloth. Rinse the stained Peter Pan costume part with cold water. Rub liquid detergent in circular fashion, then let the lather stay on the fabric for 5-10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
  • Gravy – Gently remove excess gravy on the fabric with a damp cloth, then sprinkle baby powder or cornstarch on the stain. Let it stay there for a few seconds, brush off, then apply liquid detergent. Let the detergent stay there for a few minutes, followed by a warm water rinse.
  • Peanut Butter – Immediately but gently scrape off excess peanut butter using a rubber spatula, spoon or the blunt edge of a knife. Place paper towel on both front and back sides of the fabric where the peanut butter stain is located to absorb remaining oil. Wash with warm water to dissolve stubborn oil then rub in liquid detergent thoroughly with a soft sponge. Let the lather stay for 5-10 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
  • Chewing Gum – Chewing gum is easier scraped off the Peter Pan costume fabric when it is hard. Put an ice cube on the gum for a few minutes to harden it, or simply stash the costume in the freezer to make the process faster. Once the chewing gum is hard, gently scrape it off. Use a sponge with liquid detergent to remove any remaining chewing gum on the fabric.
  • Fruit Juice – Pour warm water on the stained portion of the Peter Pan costume. If some of the fruit juice stain still remains, application of liquid detergent will help loosen it. Follow it with another pouring of warm water over the stain until it is completely gone.

For most other stains, just remember to immediately rinse the fabric with running water, apply detergent and leave it on for a few minutes, and then rinse. If you act and try these quick fixes as soon as you see your kid’s Peter Pan costume is stained, your kid will enjoy dressing up as the lovable Peter Pan for many costume and Halloween parties to come.

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Filed under: Costume Tips • Halloween Tips

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