Ah, chocolate. What a treat! That is, until it's not. If we could list all the times we realized we sat in chocolate, were splashed by a chocolate fountain at a wedding, or found a fun-size bar melted into a pocket at the end of a long day, you wouldn't believe us. Luckily, with a bit of patience and the right materials, you can get rid of any hardened chocolate (no, don't eat it) and remove the fresh chocolate stains from clothes before they become permanent. The most important thing to remember: Handwashing is the best first step. Don't apply hot water or dryer heat as it can permanently set the stain.
Materials You'll Need
- Blunt knife or credit card
- Cold water
- Stain remover (we love an enzymatic stain remover)
- Liquid detergent (laundry detergent or liquid dish detergent)
- White vinegar
- Clean cloth (a white cloth, preferably)
Removing Chocolate Stains From Clothing
- Scrape away the excess chocolate. Using a butter knife or the edge of a credit card, gently scrape away any excess chocolate from the item of clothing. Is the melted chocolate too soft? Apply an ice pack to harden the oil content and prevent spreading the tough stain.
- Rinse using cold water. Allow cold running water to rinse the stained area. Treat the front of the stain and also the back of the fabric to help push the chocolate particles out and prevent them from bedding into the fibers. Plain cold water is almost always best for stains, but if there is a very small amount of chocolate, use warm water to soften the chocolate and rinse the fibers. Avoid using hot water as it can set the oils that are stuck on the fibers. Always check the garment care instructions first.
- Apply a stain remover. A clothing stain remover is the most simple cleaning product for washable fabrics, but there are other options, too. "Alternatively, you can also use natural cleaning supplies such as a baking soda paste (made from water and baking soda), a white vinegar solution (made of equal parts water to vinegar), and even directly apply a bit of dish soap," suggests Aaron Christensen, resident cleaning expert and VP of Growth at Homeaglow. "All of the DIY cleaning solutions require you to leave the item for some time to help the agent break down the stain. If you’re using stain remover, it’s advisable to leave the fabric to soak in cold water for 15-30 minutes (however check the instructions for whichever stain remover you’re using)." He notes that natural cleaners should sit longer. "If you’re using the baking soda method, leave the paste to sit on the stain for 15-30 minutes for an additional cleaning boost. Meanwhile, those using the vinegar solution should look to leave the stain to soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour, and those using dish soap just 5-10 minutes."
- Rinse the garment again. Using cold water, rinse the item of clothing to remove the cleaning solution and check to see if the stain has been removed. If the stain is still visible after rinsing, repeat the process.
- Wash and air dry. On a cold water cycle, wash the item with laundry detergent as normal. Better yet, if you have a cold power detergent, use that, too. Before drying in a dryer, it's best to line-dry the garment. Once it has dried, check for evidence of staining. If you still see a stain, you'll want to apply more commercial cleaning agent and repeat the process. Don't put it into the dryer until the stain is completely gone.
Is chocolate hard to remove from wool fabrics?
Chocolate can be challenging to remove from wool due to its absorbent nature. It's best to treat wool delicately and avoid hot water, which can set the stain. Instead, use cold water and gentle detergents to lift the stain gradually.
Will chocolate stain polyester clothing?
Yes, chocolate can stain polyester clothing. Polyester is not as absorbent as natural fibers, but it can still hold onto stains. Promptly treat chocolate stains on polyester by blotting with cold water and a mild detergent solution before washing as usual.
