How to Remove a Chocolate Stain From Suede

The smooth and soft texture of suede is used for a variety of household and clothing items.

Seeing chocolate drop onto a favorite suede accessory, clothing item or piece of furniture can be distressing as the fresh chocolate can quickly turn into a stain. Whether you have a chocolate stain on suede fabric or suede leather, you can remove the stain simply with items from around your home. In an hour or less, you should be able to clean the suede and remove the chocolate stain for good.

Things You'll Need

• Butter knife, optional
• Mild liquid detergent
• Sponge or soft bristle toothbrush
• Dry towels
• Paper towel
• Pencil eraser
• Fine-grit sandpaper

Instructions

Suede Fabric

1. Scrape away any excess chocolate from the outside of the fabric as best as possible without scratching into the fibers as soon after you notice the stain as possible. Use your fingernail or the smooth side of a butter knife.

2. Fill a sink with warm water and add enough detergent to make a large quantity of bubbles. Wet a sponge in the water and wring out so it is just lightly damp. Pick up a large amount of bubbles onto the sponge.

3. Flip the material to the inside, if possible, to get to the back of the stain. If not, then work on the front. Rub the bubbles into the fabric with the sponge working in circular directions. Continue to supply fresh bubbles and rub the back or front of the stain until the chocolate has lifted from the suede.

4. Rinse the sponge well and wring out. Wipe the surface of the material to pull off the loosened stain and remove excess bubbles. Dab the fabric with a clean towel to remove the water. Allow the item to air dry on a flat surface.

Suede Leather

1. Remove any wet chocolate from the suede leather as best you can as soon as possible with a paper towel. Leave the item alone for two to three days for the chocolate to dry without becoming rubbed into the material.

2. Scuff the suede with a clean towel to bring up the nap, or texture, of the suede. This rubbing may release some of the chocolate stain or make what is there unnoticeable.

3. Rub a pencil eraser over the stain on the suede to continue to bring up the stain without pressing so hard you distort or stretch the material as you rub. Check to see if the stain is gone. Continue using the eraser so long as it appears to be working.

4. Brush over the surface of the suede with a fine-grit sandpaper as a last resort to treat the stain. Don't press down hard, but just rub the paper back and forth over the material, bringing up the nap and the stain.

Tips & Warnings

• Some furniture and throw pillow accessories are made from a material called "micro suede" which should be cleaned as listed in the Suede Fabric section.

References

• "Cleaning Plain & Simple"; Donna Smallin; 2005
• "Clean It Fast, Clean It Right"; Jeff Bredenberg; 1999