How to Remove Chocolate Stains from Clothing

Did you know that chocolate dates back to a time even before the Olmec period, the first major civilization in Mexico, dating roughly to as early as 1500 BCE? Since then, not only has science proven it to have positive health effects, such as lower cholesterol level, better cognitive abilities, and reduction in blood pressure, but chocolate has also established itself as one of the most delicious and favorite snacks of children and adults.

Ranging from Lindt and Ghirardelli to Hershey, Milky Way and Dairy Milk, every child and adult has their own favorite chocolate. Although a chocolate lover may like chocolate in all its forms, chocolate stains on one’s favorite shirt or jeans are something no one is a fan of. Most chocolate stains remain even after being washed a few times. This article provides all you chocolate lovers with remedies using simple ingredients which help you get rid of the mess that you create on your clothing every now and then.

Did you just drop chocolate on your shirt? Do not wait; act on the stain now to prevent it from setting into the fabric! Setting can cause stains to be permanent, requiring a great amount of scrubbing, and damaging the fiber as a result. Keep the following things in mind when ever treating chocolate stains:

·      Treat the stain immediately with water using a paper towel.

·      Secondly, when treating the stain, do not apply direct heat to the stained area.

·      Thirdly, when applying the cleaning solution on to the stained area, do not wipe. Dab and wipe gently.

·      Different clothing materials tend to react to the same solvent differently. Cotton can undergo soaking, drying and heat. Wool, on the other hand, is more sensitive to heat, and can be damaged by bleach and acidic treatments. A few synthetic materials may react adversely to hydrogen peroxide solutions. Also, treating the stained area only on silk may result in water spotting.

·      Before you choose your cleaning method, read the label of your shirt to check if certain ingredients should be avoided or preferred for cleaning. If you use the wrong solution and method on your shirt you will end up damaging it even more than before.

·       If not sure, try the cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area of the shirt to check how it reacts to the solvent.

·      Apply water and the cleaning solution on the back of the stain so that the stain is driven back towards the surface.

·      Place a paper towel underneath the shirt. This will allow it to absorb the stain as it flushes out.

·      Using a dull knife or spoon, remove any excess chocolate that might be present on the shirt.

Method One (Treating Non-Washable Fabric i.e. acetate, silk and wool)

Things that you will require:

·      Club soda

·      Absorbent pads

·      Dry cleaning solvent

·      Coconut or mineral oil

·      Eye dropper or plant mister

·      Enzyme pre-soak

·      Water

Steps that you will need to take:

1.   Firstly, apply a bit of club soda on to the stain to prevent it from setting.

2.   Using a moist absorbent pad, apply a dry cleaning solvent on to the stained area. Gently, treat the stain with the solvent, moving from the center towards the edges. Dry cleaning solvents are easily available in grocery or drug stores.

3.   To form a dry spotter, add 1 part coconut or mineral oil to a bowl. Now mix it with 8 parts dry cleaning solvents. You may also be able to find dry spotters in grocery stores.

4.   Now, moisten an absorbent pad with the mixture and cover the stained area. Change the pad once the solvent on it dries.

5.   Keep treating the stain till it is completely removed.

6.   Flush the stained area with the dry cleaning solvent, and let it dry. You may use an eye dropper or plant mister for flushing.

If the stain is still visible, proceed in the following way:

7.   Apply enzyme pre-soak to the affected area.

8.   Dip an absorbent pad in the enzyme pre-soak solution, and squeeze it till the solution stops dripping from it.

9.   Now, cover the stained area with the damp pad.

10.   Lift the pad after 30 minutes.

11.   Lastly, flush thoroughly with water, and allow the stained area to dry.

Method Two (Treating Washable Fabric i.e., cotton, nylon, linen)

Things that you will require:

·      Liquid laundry detergent

·      Absorbent pad/ clean, white cloth

·      Water tub

·      Water

·      Ammonia

·      Medicine dropper

·      Brush

Steps that you will need to take:

1.   The first step involves pouring a little bit of liquid laundry detergent on to an absorbent pad or a clean white cloth. If not available, you may also use dish soap, ivory bar soap or OxiClean.

2.   Now, apply the laundry detergent on to the stained area with the pad or cloth, and rub it gently.

3.   Leave the detergent in place for 5 minutes.

4.   Now, take a water tub and fill it with cold water.

5.   Soak the shirt in the tub for 15 minutes.

6.   After every 3 to 5 minutes, rub the stain gently while it is soaking.

7.   Repeat the above steps till the stain is completely removed.

8.   Wash as normal.

If you have failed to remove the stain, proceed in the following way:

9.   Add a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid detergent in a bowl, and mix it well with a few drops of ammonia.

10.   Apply the above cleaning solution to the stained area using a medicine dropper.

11.   Now, either work on the stain with light strokes using a brush i.e., by tamping, or scrape.

12.   Using an absorbent pad or a clean, white cloth, blot the stain after frequent intervals.

13.   To get rid of the cleaning solution on the stained area, dip a clean, white cloth in plain water and apply it to the stain.

14.   Wash as normal.

Method Three (Treating Fur Clothing)

Things that you will require:

·      Bowl

·      Water

·      Mild soap

·      Clean, white cloths

·      Corn meal/ baking soda/ corn starch

·      Brush

Steps that you will need to take:

1.   Take a bowl; add some water and mild soap in it. Mix it till thick soapy suds are formed.

2.   Now, dip a clean, white cloth in the foam of the solution only.

3.   Apply the foam to the affected area, and gently dab.

4.   Using another clean, white cloth rinsed in plain water, wipe the solution off the fur.

Although the stain should have been removed by this, if it still remains, proceed in the following way:

5.   Apply a powder form of an absorbent such as corn meal, baking soda or cornstarch.

6.   Let the absorbent remain in place till it becomes cake. This may take a few hours.

7.   Next, brush off the caked absorbent using a hard, bristle brush.

8.   Repeat the above steps till all of the stain is removed.  

Method Four (Treating Leather Clothing)

Things that you will require:

·      Bowl

·      Water

·      Mild soap

·      Clean, white cloths/ sponge

·      Corn meal/white talcum powder/ baking soda

·      Brush

·      Leather cleaner

Steps that you will need to take:

1.   The first step involves making the cleaning solution. Pour lukewarm water in a bowl, and add mild soap to it.

2.   Mix it till thick soapy suds are formed.

3.   Now, dip a clean, white cloth or a sponge in the foam of the solution.

4.   Apply the cloth or sponge to the stained area.

5.   Lastly, wipe the affected area dry with a clean, white cloth.

If you can still see the stain, do the following:

6.   Apply an absorbent such as powdered corn meal, baking soda or white talcum powder.

7.   Leave the absorbent on the stain.

8.   When the absorbent starts turning into cake form, brush it off using a hard, bristle brush till all of the stain is removed.

9.   Once the stain has been removed, use a leather cleaner or conditioner on the garment.

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·      How to remove Chocolate Stains from Shirt