From ice cream to candy bars, we all know chocolate is a wonderful part of life. Chocolate stains? Not so much. With such a wide variety of chocolate food items to enjoy, there are higher odds of eventually getting chocolate stains on clothes and upholstery. The good news? Simply follow a few careful steps from Molly Maid to learn how to remove chocolate stains from clothing, car seats and everything in between.
Does Chocolate Stain Your Clothes?
Yes! Chocolate does stain clothing. After washing an item with chocolate on it, you may notice a dark spot has embedded itself into your clothing - this is a chocolate stain. The best way to prevent staining is to treat and wash your item as quickly as possible.
Have an old chocolate stain that you’ve neglected to remove for far too long? Saturate the area around the stain with heavy cream, and let it sit for half an hour. The fat in the cream helps to lift the fatty chocolate out of the fabric. After half an hour has passed, rinse the cream from the fabric and start with step three below.
How to Get Chocolate Stains Out of Clothes
Whether you are searching for how to get chocolate out of white clothes, colorful clothing, or a variety of clothing types, follow these steps to learn how to remove chocolate from clothes:
- Use a knife or spoon to carefully scrape excess chocolate off the fabric. This will help prevent the stain from spreading throughout the removal process.
- If you can, turn the garment inside out and run cold water over the backside of the stained area. This will help to gently loosen the stain from the fibers in the fabric and make it easier for the detergent (in the next step) to pull the chocolate away from the fabric.
- Lather the stain with your preferred stain remover, laundry detergent, or dish soap.
- Soak the garment in cold water for at least 30 minutes. If you can still see the stain after soaking, repeat steps two and three and then soak again.
- Finally, wash the garment based on the recommendations on the tag. Be sure not to place it in the dryer unless the stain is completely gone.
How to Remove Chocolate Stains from Upholstery
Wondering how to get chocolate out of a car seat? What about your furniture? Follow these steps to learn how to remove chocolate stains from everyday upholstered items:
- Carefully scrape excess chocolate off with a knife or by holding your vacuum hose directly above the stain.
- Make a simple stain remover by adding 1 tablespoon dish soap to 2 cups of warm water.
- Apply the stain remover using a clean toothbrush, gently dabbing the stain remover over the stain. Be careful not to rub the stain, as this can work the stain further into the fabric. After each dab, rinse the toothbrush and dip it back into the stain remover before returning to the stain. Repeat this step a few times.
- Soak up the stain remover using a clean towel or a paper towel. Again, be sure to press into the surface and not rub the stain into the upholstery.
- Repeat steps three and four until the stain is no longer visible and the chocolate no longer shows up on the towel.
Keep Your Home Stain-Free with Molly Maid
While we don’t offer garment cleaning services for your chocolate stains, we do know a thing or two about cleaning and stain removal in your home. Contact your local Molly Maid to discuss a custom cleaning plan that fits your schedule and budget.
