Chocolate Stains? Here’s How to Remove Them

Chocolate is an indulgent treat that you may enjoy from time to time. Whether you prefer drinking hot cocoa on a cold day, diving into a bowl of chocolate ice cream or savoring a piece of dark chocolate in the evening, the unfortunate reality is that chocolate can easily leave behind stains on upholstery. This is because of the oils and tannins found in chocolate. The best time to tackle chocolate stains is as soon as possible and before they have time to set in. However, even older stains can be lightened or completely removed with the right strategy. What does it take to remove chocolate stains from cloth surfaces?

For Items That Can Be Laundered

Chocolate may find a place on items that can be laundered, such as throw pillows, blankets or even clothes. Many sofa and chair cushions can be removed and laundered as well. Generally, you can expect to have great luck removing chocolate stains from these surfaces by following a few special cleaning instructions.

First, the items should be laundered using the cold water setting on the washing machine. Second, you should use a heavy-duty laundry detergent for this important task. For tough stains that have been sitting for a long time, consider pre-treating the stains with laundry detergent before running the items in the washing machine. Spend a few minutes rubbing the laundry detergent into the stain so that it can penetrate deeper. Then, allow the detergent to sit for roughly 30 minutes or longer before washing it. If you notice that the stain lingers after the wash cycle, re-wash the item before drying it.

Cleaning Upholstered Furniture

You may initially assume that your stain-covered upholstery is ruined after chocolate drops on it, but this is thankfully not always the case. On many types of upholstery, the chocolate stain can be removed by taking a few important steps. As is the case with other items, it is best to walk through these steps as soon as possible and before the stain has had time to set.

1. Remove the bulk of the mess from the upholstery. One of the most efficient and easiest ways to do this is with a spoon or a dull butter knife. Simply scrape the edge of the knife or spoon against the surface. You should see some of the chocolate coming up if the stain is still wet. Continue scraping chocolate away until no more can be removed. When scraping away the chocolate, go slowly. By taking your time, you can avoid damaging the material further. You can also avoid spreading the chocolate stain.

For dried stains, you may be able to remove some of the chocolate with this approach. However, it is best to work on a small area of the stain initially. If it seems that you are damaging the upholstery, you can skip this step and move on to the next step.

2. Once you have removed as much of the chocolate from the cloth as you can without damaging it, rinse the stain with water. Keep in mind that warm water can cause the stain to set, and this can make it much more difficult to remove the stain. With this in mind, only use cold water for this step.

3. You are now ready to start cleaning the stain. The best cleanser to use for this step is heavy-duty liquid laundry soap. However, if this is not available, you can use liquid dish soap as an alternative. This should be the soap that you use to hand-wash dishes. Avoid using soap that is designed for the dishwasher.

After you apply the liquid soap to the stain, let it sit for roughly five minutes. Then, apply cold water to the stain, and allow this to sit for 15 minutes. You do not want to rinse the detergent off at this time. Instead, gently rub the detergent into the stain every few minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the detergent by rinsing the area with cold water. If the stain persists, continue this process until it is no longer visible.

4. In some cases, stains may be so tough that these steps alone will not remove them. If you are dealing with a stubborn stain, consider using your preferred laundry stain remover product. Both gel and spray products may work well. Apply this stain remover to the chocolate stain, and allow it to sit in place for roughly 10 minutes before rinsing it thoroughly with cold water.

Contact Us Today

Do you have tough stains that require special care, or do you need extra help around the house? At Cleanzen, our maids want to give you all of the incredible benefits of a perfectly clean home without the hassle. We know how to handle chocolate stains and other tough messes, and we will give you the clean home that you have in mind. To learn more about our services and to request a quote for cleaning services for your home, contact Cleanzen Philadelphia today.