After a weekend of indulging in chocolate Easter eggs and treats, you’ve probably noticed some chocolate stains have appeared.
Whether it’s on clothing, bedding, carpets, towels and upholstery, removing chocolate stains is tricky.
With this in mind, Allen Civlak, CEO of Mary’s Kitchen Flour Sack Towels, has shared his expert tips on how to remove the pesky stains quickly from laundry.
1. Act quickly
Allen said the “key” to cleaning chocolate stains is to “act quickly”. He said: “The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to remove chocolate residue from the fabric.
“As soon as you spot chocolate on fabric, grab a dull knife or spoon and gently scrape any excess chocolate.
“Blot the stain with a clean cloth, but avoid rubbing to prevent the chocolate from setting deeper.”
2. Spot treat the affected area
Next, dab the stain with a small amount of dish soap directly onto the stain and gently massage it into the stain using your fingers.
If the stain is stubborn, use a soft brush but be careful not to scrub too hard.
Dish soap is brilliant at removing stains as it “breaks down oils and fats” which are the main components of chocolate.
If you don’t have dish soap, you could use baking soda, white vinegar, laundry detergent or sparkling water.
Baking soda
If you’re using baking soda, mix it with water to make a paste, apply it and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. Then, rinse if off with cold water.
White vinegar
Mix the white vinegar with equal parts water then dip a cloth into the solution and blot it gently. The acid in white vinegar should break down the cocoa butter in the chocolate.
Laundry detergent
Apply a small amount of detergent directly to the stain and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes before washing.
Sparkling Water
Sparkling water should only be used for fresh stains chocolate stains. Blot the stains with the sparkling water before rinsing with cold water.
The carbonation in the water can help lift the chocolate stains.
Allen added: “Before doing this, test the chosen solution on an inconspicuous area of the fabric before applying it directly to the stain.”
3. Soak the garment
Once the solution has been worked into the stain, rinse the stained area with cold water to loosen the residue from the fabric.
It’s best to use cold water as hot water can set the stain further.
4. Launder as usual
After treating the stain and soaking it, the garment can be washed as normal following the instructions on the care label.
Allen continued: “If the stain persists, consider adding a stain remover to the wash cycle. For tough stains, repeat the process or try other options like baking soda or sparkling water.
“Air dry the fabric, avoiding heat until you’re certain the stain has been removed. For delicate fabrics like silk or wool, it’s best to seek professional cleaning advice.”
