Flipping heck: how to solve your pancake day disasters

Pancake day might sound like fun to some, but to others, it’s just a flipping nightmare.

Pancakes stuck to the ceiling, batter trodden into the carpet, blocked drains from pouring away leftover pancake mix… need we go on?!

Believe it or not, insurance claims for damage to property and possessions actually spike on Shrove Tuesday each year (according to Evolve). And fire damage claim costs have been known to almost double (reported by CityAM)!

If you find yourself dealing with a pancake day mishap this year, don’t panic. Here, we’ll outline some of the common issues you might face, and how to fix them.

Pancake day gone wrong

About to start whisking up your pancake mix and tossing your creations six feet in the air?

There are just a few things that could go (horribly!) wrong.

• Pancakes stuck to the ceiling
• Pancake batter stuck to the floor
• Spilt pancake ingredients
• Blocked drains from leftover pancake mix
• Domestic fires

Don’t worry, we’re not trying to rain on your parade. But a little prep and know-how could see you turn a pancake mishap into a flipping success. Which brings us onto…

How to get pancakes off a ceiling

We all know someone who’s got pancake batter stuck to the ceiling or walls.

Usually, you’ll be able to scrape the batter off fairly easily with an old credit card – or knock the half-cooked mess down with a broom!

However, you’ll need to be a little more careful if you have artex ceilings, especially if you think they may contain asbestos. Stirring up this hazardous material would be a real recipe for disaster!

Either way, once you’ve removed the mess, you’ll likely still be left with a stubborn grease stain. Here’s what to do:

1. Mix one part white vinegar with two parts water (or mix water with a small amount of washing-up liquid if you don’t have any)
2. Dampen a sponge with the mixture
3. Gently wipe it over the grease marks
4. Wipe the area down with warm water
5. Blot it dry with a paper towel

Alternatively, for tougher stains, create a mixture with baking soda:

1. Add three parts baking soda to one part water
2. Mix to create a paste
3. Apply to paste to the grease stain
4. Let it dry
5. Wipe the area down with warm water
6. Blot it dry with a microfibre cloth

Hopefully, that does the trick. But if you’re still faced with an ugly mark – or you simply want to save yourself some time and energy – why not call in the professionals?

A house deep clean often includes attention to your walls, skirting boards and ceiling so could be the perfect solution for your pancake day disaster.

Check out our guide to house deep clean prices to learn more. Or, simply enter your postcode below to find a quality cleaner near you.

How to get pancake batter off the floor

Picture this: you’re about to perform the pancake flip of your life when things get out of control and splat. You end up with pancake batter splattered all over your floor.

If you act quickly, you should be able to simply wipe the mess up with a clean microfibre cloth. However, when batter dries, it becomes a hard clump which is more tricky to clear.

How to get dried pancake batter off a hard floor

Follow these steps to get hard clumps of batter off your kitchen floor:

1. Dampen a clean cloth
2. Cover the clump of batter with the cloth
3. Leave it for a few minutes
4. Wipe up the mess

Sorted! Hopefully, your floors are now looking pristine. But if not, make sure to check out our guides to cleaning every type of floor – from wooden floors and laminate to floor tiles and Amtico.

Oh, and if you fancy giving your floors a professional clean, check out our posts on professional floor and tile cleaning costs.

How to get dried pancake batter out of a carpet

If you have carpets or rugs in your kitchen, things are a little more complicated. But don’t worry, you’ll be able to get your floor looking spick and span with a bit of know-how and elbow grease.

1. Scrape off as much mess as you can using an old credit card or dull knife
2. Find a suitable carpet cleaning product and follow the instructions on the label; OR
3. Mix a small amount of washing up liquid with water
4. Dampen a microfibre cloth with the mixture
5. Scrub the stain
6. Blot the area dry with a clean microfibre cloth

Need some more carpet cleaning tips? Our guides on how to clean a carpet and carpet deep cleaning have you covered.

Or, if you’d rather let an expert tackle the job, check out our post on the average carpet cleaning prices.

Then, enter your postcode below to find a quality cleaner near you.

How to clean pancake-related spillages

Let’s face it, spillages are a common occurrence in the kitchen. But never more so than on pancake day – especially if you have little hands helping!

If you have hard floors in your kitchen, most spillages can be solved using a damp microfibre cloth and soap or multi-surface spray.

The exception is flour, which can quickly turn into a messy gloup when mixed with water. So, scrape off as much flour as possible first, using a spatula or old credit card.

Things get a bit more precarious if you have a rug – or worse, carpet – in your kitchen.

But instead of panicking this Shrove Tuesday, take some time to learn how to solve the most common pancake-related spillages.

How to remove egg from carpet

If you crack or spill eggs on your kitchen rug or carpet, it’s important to clear up the mess quickly. After all, eggs can contain salmonella!

Here’s an easy way to clean up:

1. Scrape off as much egg as possible with an old credit card or dull knife
2. Create a mixture of washing-up liquid and warm water
3. Dampen a clean white cloth in the mixture
4. Sponge the stain
5. Blot with a clean, dry cloth to absorb the liquid
6. Repeat until the stain disappears

If the stain won’t go away, you could try creating a mixture of ammonia and warm water.

But make sure never to mix ammonia with chlorine bleach as this will create hazardous fumes and make your pancake day even more disastrous!

1. Mix one tablespoon of ammonia with two cups of warm water
2. Dampen a clean cloth in the mixture
3. Sponge the stain
4. Blot with a clean, dry cloth to absorb the liquid
5. Sponge the area with cold water
6. Blot the area with a clean, dry cloth

How to clean milk out of carpet

You’ve heard the saying ‘there’s no use crying over spilt milk.’ And while that’s true, dealing with spilt milk on carpet correctly is vital not only to prevent unsightly stains, but also a nasty smell!

Here’s how to do it:

1. Soak up as much of the milk as possible with a dry cloth
2. Mix two cups of warm water with one tablespoon of washing-up liquid
3. Dampen a cloth with the mixture
4. Gently rub the stain until you’ve removed as much as possible
5. Sprinkle baking soda on the area
6. Leave it for around half an hour
7. Vacuum the area

How to get chocolate out of carpet

If you have a sweet tooth, chocolate is probably on the cards this pancake day.

But while chocolate might taste heavenly, it can create devilish stains when squashed or melted into your carpet!

1. Scrape off as much chocolate as possible with an old credit card or dull knife
2. Pour half a cup of cold water over the stain
3. Squeeze a drop of washing-up liquid onto a clean white cloth
4. Gently rub the cloth over the stain in a circular motion
5. Leave it for around five minutes
6. Blot the area with a dry cloth to absorb the liquid
7. Create a mixture of one part white vinegar to four parts cold water
8. Use it to rinse the area
9. Blot the area dry with a clean cloth

How to remove syrup or honey from carpet

If you spill syrup or honey onto your carpet, it’s easy to get panicked. After all, these spillages don’t just stain – they’re incredibly sticky too!

But don’t worry, it is possible to clear up these spillages. Here’s how to remove syrup or honey from your carpet.

1. Scrape off as much of the excess syrup or honey as possible with an old credit card or dull knife
2. Mix two cups of warm water with one tablespoon of washing-up liquid
3. Dampen a clean, white cloth in the mixture
4. Dab it onto the stain
5. Blot the stain until it doesn’t feel sticky anymore

If you can still see the stain, try a solution of ammonia (remember never to mix ammonia with chlorine bleach as this releases hazardous fumes).

1. Mix one tablespoon of ammonia and two cups of water
2. Wet a clean white cloth in the mixture
3. Gently blot the stain with the cloth until the liquid is absorbed
4. Sponge the area with cold water
5. Blot the area dry with a clean cloth

If you try to clear up any of these spillages and your carpet is still stained, then it’s time to get the experts in.

Read our guide to the average house cleaning costs. Then enter your postcode below to find experienced house cleaners in your area.

How to solve blockages caused by leftover pancake mix

After successfully cooking, flipping and devouring our pancake creations each year, most of us don’t think twice about pouring the leftover pancake mix down the sink.

But unfortunately, the flour, fat and oil contained in your pancake batter can harden in pipes and cause blockages.

Here’s how to unblock your drain:

1. Straighten out a wire coat hanger and bend one end into a hook
2. Use it to fish out as much gunk from your drain as possible
3. Mix around one cup of bicarbonate of soda with one cup of vinegar
4. Pour the mixture down the drain
5. Wait for around half an hour
6. Flush with boiling water

Just make sure not to use vinegar repeatedly to unblock drains. Although it’s very effective, it can cause damage to old pipes and rubber seals. So, you’ll want to avoid it unless absolutely necessary.

If you’ve tried this method and your sink is still blocked, it’s time to call in the professionals.

Check out our guide to the typical drain unblocking cost and then be sure to find a reliable plumber or drain clearance expert near you.

It’s important to get professional help quickly as a build up of pancake mix could eventually lead to a burst pipe. The last thing you need after a seemingly uneventful pancake day is to end up paying a plumber’s emergency callout fee!

What to do if a fire starts in the kitchen

Let’s end with arguably the biggest pancake day mishap of all.

Cooking with hot oil and then flipping your creations in the air could spell out disaster if you inadvertently start a domestic fire!

In particular, if oil gets too hot, it can combust. If you see that the oil in your pan is smoking, that means it’s too hot and you shouldn’t pour in your pancake mix.

If things take a turn and the oil in your pan sets on fire, don’t use water or a fire extinguisher to put it out. Instead:

1. Turn off the heat if it’s safe to do so
2. Wet a tea towel
3. Wring it out
4. Place it over the edges of your pan
5. Leave it there for at least 30 minutes while the pan cools down

If the fire gets out of control, close the doors leading into the kitchen to prevent it from spreading. Then, leave your property and call the emergency services.

Fires can be devastating after you’ve likely spent thousands of pounds making your house a home.

Fire damage restoration companies have the tools, knowledge, and experience to restore your home to its former glory. They can eradicate smoke, water and soot damage from your possessions and the rooms of your house.

Check out our guide to fire damage restoration costs to learn more.

How to prevent pancake day disasters

Of course, the best way to solve your pancake day disasters is to prevent them from happening in the first place!

Here are some top tips to make sure your next pancake day goes off without a hitch (although we can’t promise the quality of the cooking!).

1. Replace your carpeted kitchen

Let’s be honest. No matter how careful you are in the kitchen, there will always be spillages.

Replacing your carpets with hard kitchen flooring is a great way to eliminate the risk of unsightly stains and stubborn smells.

Laminate, vinyl, tiles, wood and polished concrete are all excellent flooring options for a slick and modern kitchen.

Get in touch with a flooring specialist near you to get started.

2. Remove artex from your kitchen ceiling

Removing artex from your kitchen is another great way to minimise stress when your pancakes inevitably get stuck to the ceiling.

In fact, not only can it make cleaning up after pancake day tricky, but artex can even devalue your house.

A plasterer near you will be able to let you know if they can skim over your artex. Or, if your artex contains asbestos, you’ll need to find an asbestos removal company near you to kick things off.

3. Don’t pour pancake batter down the sink

Refrain from pouring your leftover pancake batter down the sink to avoid costly blocked drains and drain repairs.

Instead, wait until it’s cooled down and then dispose of it in your food waste bin (as long as your local authority accepts this kind of food waste).

Alternatively, why not freeze your pancake batter to use at a later date? Or use it to make Yorkshire puddings?

Pouring very hot water down your kitchen sink drain once a week is also a great way to prevent clogs from building up in your pipes.

4. Brush up on fire safety

Keeping on top of fire safety in the home is an important way to stay safe – not just on pancake day but all year round!

• Always supervise kids and pets around stoves
• Try to keep pets out of the way so they don’t jump up or trip you up
• Never leave pans unattended when the heat is on
• Don’t pour pancake batter into a pan when the oil is smoking
• Check that the heat is turned off when you finish cooking

Perhaps most importantly, make sure you have smoke alarms installed and that they’re working properly.

A professional will be able to fit them for you if you don’t have time. Head over to our fire alarm installation cost guide to learn more.

Find a professional to put things right

We hope that pancake day goes off without a hitch. But if you do find yourself in a spot of trouble, you’re in the right place.

At Checkatrade, we have professionals who specialise in all sorts of areas – from cleaners to floor restoration experts; plumbers to fire damage restoration specialists.

So, whatever pancake-related house damage you find yourself with, you can use our free search feature to find the help you need.

To start with, why not enter your postcode below to find a cleaner? They’ll be able to clear up those pancake splatters dotted around your kitchen in no time.