Hanukkah. Eight days of delightful celebrations. The menorah candles are lit every night, and there is always a lot of eating, drinking, and merriment with exchanges of gifts. 

Unfortunately, it is not all pleasant. Post-Hanukkah cleaning can steal some of the joy you have gathered during the celebrations, especially if you don’t know how to go about it. Cleaning up after Hanukkah usually involves a lot of wax and grease removal, which can be a headache. That’s why we have compiled a list of some of the best Hanukkah cleaning tips to prepare you for what is to come. Let’s just call it our Hanukkah gift to you. 

Cleaning out Common Hanukkah Messes

Here are some tips and tricks to make your Hanukkah cleaning easy;

1. How to clean the Menorah

The festival of lights that involves lighting candles on the Menorah each night of Hanukkah is one of the most critical aspects of the holiday. The oil and wax that gathers on the Menorah on those eight days make cleaning difficult. 

One of the best hacks is to use dripless candles to avoid the cleaning process altogether. Here are some of the best steps for traditional candles, depending on the material;

• Fill your sink with boiling water and soap.
• Soak the Menorah for at least fifteen minutes.
• The wax should melt and come off easily after this.
• Please do not use a knife or sharp tool to scrape the Menorah as it could cause a permanent scratch.
• For an unpainted brass Menorah, use a metal polish to shine after removing the wax.
• For a silver Menorah, use a soft microfiber cloth to clean after dewaxing.
• For a glass Menorah, apply a small amount of non-stick spray after dewaxing, cleaning, and drying.
• For a wooden Menorah, it is crucial to ensure that the water is not too hot as it will warp the wood. After dewaxing, polish the wood with natural oils like olive oil to restore its brilliance and shine.

Another easy way to clean a Menorah is to freeze it first, as the cold will harden the wax so that it is easy to crack off.

2. Cleaning candlewax off wood/carpet

Wax build-up will not spare the other wooden surfaces or the carpet in your home. It is important to remember that soft wax makes a bigger mess if you attempt to wipe it off. Always allow the wax to cool and harden before cleaning up. 

Use a plastic surface like a credit card to gently scrape the wax off because a metal surface can permanently scratche your wood or disfigure your carpet.

Alternatively, you can use the freeze-and-scrape method, which involves putting a bag of ice on top of the wax mess and allowing it to sit until it is frozen. This will make the wax brittle and easier to scrape off. You can then use the plastic tool to scrape.

If a stain is left on the carpet after you’re done, use white vinegar diluted with water and salt to remove it.

3. Removing kitchen grease stains

The kitchen usually goes into overdrive during holiday celebrations, and Hanukkah is not any different. This holiday lasts eight days, and dirty dishes will pile up if you are not intentional about cleaning. At the same time, grease splatters will accumulate from frying all the latkes, loukoumades, and sufganiyot. This usually leaves the pots and pans in a pitiful state. 

Ensure to soak the pots and pans overnight in soapy water for at least 6 hours and wash with some elbow grease or scrub using scouring powder by the following morning.

To remove the grease splatters built up from all the frying, apply some vinegar and allow it to sit for a while before using a microfiber cloth to wipe it off. However, if the countertop is marble or granite, do not spray and leave the vinegar on the surface. Instead, spray the vinegar on a microfiber cloth and wipe the surface or use warm water and dish soap to clear away the grease.

4. Getting oil out of the clothes

Grease stains usually reach the clothes and aprons in many ways, including from the kitchen. Here is how;

• Start by pre-treating the grease stains with natural dish soap or laundry detergent.
• Rinse the material with hot water.
• Add some more soap or detergent to lather the stain and leave it to sit for a while.
• Put the cloth in the washing machine.
• Please do not put it in the dryer if the stain hasn't gone off entirely because this will allow it to set in and leave a permanent mark.
• Instead, allow it to air-dry and use more specific methods like oxygen-based bleach for white/bright clothes or a natural stain remover for sensitive and dark materials.
• Wash and air dry after this treatment; your clothes will be fresh and clean.

5. Removing Chocolate Stains

Kids love Hanukkah and chocolate, so it is easy to imagine the mess that will result when they combine. Kids tend to leave chocolaty fingerprints and stains on clothes, hard surfaces, upholstery, and carpets. Here is how to manage these;

• For Hard surfaces, scrape off as much as possible, then use an all-purpose cleaner to remove the stains immediately.
• For Carpets and Upholstery, use some vinegar and water to blot and NOT RUB. Rubbing can push the stains further in.
• For Clothes, it is vital to act very fast. Refrigerate the cloth for about 15 minutes, then scrape off as much chocolate as possible, placing it on a flat counter. Before washing, you can pre-treat with natural laundry detergent or concentrated dish soap.

…Or we can do the Hanukkah cleaning for you!

Cleaning after Hanukkah should not interfere with your enjoyment. Preparing adequately for all the work that follows the celebration will allow you to enjoy your Hanukkah with your family, friends, and children. Also, Clean Tu Casa is always available to lend a hand, so you don't have to worry about your Hannukkah cleaning. Book your post-Hanukkah cleaning today and let our brilliant team take care of the aftermath of a well-spent Hannukkah.

Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Holidays!!!