Halloween costume cleaning is almost as important as the candy stash. In Southern California, costumes see chocolate stains, sticky sodas, and makeup smudges long before the last pumpkin is carved. With the right tips, you can keep them looking ghostly clean and ready for next year.
Don’t let your costumes turn into a horror story. With a little care, you can keep them looking boo-tiful for next year, or ready for resale, donations, or dress-up play.
Halloween Costume Cleaning: Watch Out for Frightful Stains
Halloween comes with a unique set of messes:
- Chocolate & candy stains – Blot gently with a cool, damp cloth, rather than rubbing.
- Pumpkin guts – Scrape off as much as you can before rinsing with cold water.
- Face paint & makeup – Dab carefully with mild soap and water. Avoid scrubbing, which can set the stain.
- Sticky sodas & juices – Rinse with cold water right away to keep sugar from setting into the fabric.
Pro tip: Always test any DIY cleaning solution on a hidden area first, as many costumes are made from delicate fabrics that don’t handle rough treatment well.
Keep Costumes Spooky and Stylish All Season
Southern California’s fall is warmer than most, so costumes often get worn for multiple events. To help them survive the season:
- Hang costumes on padded hangers instead of folding them into a bag or box.
- Keep them out of direct sunlight, as it can cause bright colors to fade quickly.
- Air them out after parties or trick-or-treating so sweat and candy odors don’t linger.
Try this: For costumes with sequins, capes, or faux leather, skip the washer and dryer—they’re scarier than any haunted house when it comes to ruining fabric.
Halloween Costume Cleaning Experts: When to Call Kona Cleaners
Some stains are scarier than others. Costumes made with velvet, satin, lace, or sequins can be tricky, and “dry clean only” labels mean DIY methods often do more harm than good. That’s when it’s time to leave it to the experts.
At Kona Cleaners, we use gentle cleaning methods to lift chocolate, sticky candy, and makeup without damaging delicate fabrics. We also give each costume a careful inspection so it comes back fresh, clean, and ready for its next spooky adventure.
Keep Your Costumes Boo-tiful with Kona Cleaners
When the candy stash is gone and the pumpkins start to fade, don’t let your costumes become closet monsters. Professional Halloween costume cleaning at Kona will banish stains, freshen fabrics, and keep your outfits looking frightfully good, whether you’re saving them for next year, passing them along, or keeping them for playtime.
Cast a spell on stains the easy way: drop your costumes off today or schedule a pickup for hauntingly simple cleaning.
