How to Remove Chocolate Stains From Clothing

Don't let a chocolate stain trash your favorite shirt.

Chocolate is a tasty treat that can leave a very nasty stain. Chocolate stains resulting from everything from melted candy, to hot cocoa to ice cream can be removed with a little persistence. Whether it is a light smudge or a ground-in stain, chocolate is considered a "combination" stain, according to Ohio State University Extension, and requires a two-step treatment to remove both oily and dye elements.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels
• Powdered detergent
• Bowl
• Color-safe bleach

Instructions

1. Remove any loose chocolate from the garment to prepare the fabric for washing. Take a paper towel and lightly dab the affected area to remove some of the stain if it is still wet. Set the garment aside.

2. Take some detergent and place it in a bowl. The detergent needs to be in the powder form. Add little amounts of warm water to the detergent to form a paste. Once a paste is formed take a small amount and place it on the chocolate stain. Lightly rub the paste onto the stain so it can penetrate the fabric. Let the fabric sit for about five to 10 minutes.

3. Rinse the detergent from the stain with cool water.

4. Mix a solution of a small amount of color-safe powdered bleach with water for a colored or patterned fabric. Make a diluted solution of chlorine bleach and water for a white garment. Soak the stain in the appropriate solution for 15 minutes.

5. Place the garment into the washer and wash normally. After washing check the garment for the chocolate stain. If the stain is gone proceed with drying. If the stain is not removed repeat step 2 and try washing again. If the stain is not removed after the second try consider contacting your local dry cleaner.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Chocolate, Cocoa - Stain Removal Guide
• Ohio State University Extension: Quick 'N Easy Stain Removal