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The easy way to remove stubborn chocolate stains from clothes

Maryal Miller Carter
USA TODAY

If you think chocolate stains on your clothing are the price you must pay for indulging in your favorite sweet treat, think again.

Granted, the high fat and oil content of chocolate makes the stains notoriously difficult to remove. But fear not, chocoholics, removing those incriminating marks is not impossible. With the right techniques and a few products that you probably already have on hand, you can satisfy your cravings and get rid of the evidence afterward. Here’s how to easily remove stubborn chocolate stains from your clothes without heading to the dry cleaners.

Watchthe video above to learn how to remove stubborn chocolate stains from clothes.

How to remove stubborn chocolate stains from clothes

  • As is the case with the treatment of any stain, act quickly. Once the stains are set into the fabric, they’re harder to remove. 
  • Remove any solidified chocolate by gently scraping it off the fabric, being careful not to spread the stain further.
  • Rinse the affected area with cold water to prevent the chocolate from seeping deeper into the fabric.
  • To pre-treat the stain, apply a small amount of laundry detergent or standard dish soap to the fabric, then use a toothbrush or small scrubbing brush to gently work it in. Dish soap’s grease-fighting properties help release the fat and oil in chocolate from the fabric's fibers.
  • Allow the pre-treated stain to sit for about 30 minutes before placing the garment into the wash.
  • For set-in chocolate stains, consider soaking the affected area in a mixture of distilled white vinegar and water for an additional 30 minutes before washing. This will help further break down the stain and make it easier to remove during the wash cycle.
  • If you're treating a chocolate stain on a non-washable surface like upholstery, use a clean towel to gently blot the stain with a mixture of detergent or dish soap and water. Follow up with a rinse using clean water and a fresh rag. 

More chocolate removal tips

Freeze the chocolate stain. Just like wax or chewing gum, hardening the chocolate can make it easier to remove from the fabric. To do this, use a piece of ice or an ice pack to freeze the stained area, but be careful not to get the stain wet. Once the chocolate hardens, use a butter knife to scrape away as much as you can.

Dry the chocolate stain. When dealing with a chocolate stain on upholstery, it can be helpful to dry the stain for easier cleanup. First, wipe the majority of the stain with a clean cloth and pat the area dry. Once the fabric is just slightly damp, sprinkle a small amount of cornstarch on the affected area. Once the cornstarch has dried, vacuum it up and watch the stain lift from the fabric fibers. 

Lemon juice. Gently dab lemon juice on the stain to help break down oils in the chocolate. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing off the juice with cold water.

Salt. Sprinkle salt on the stain to absorb oils in the chocolate. Let it sit for a few minutes before gently brushing off the salt and rinsing the area with cold water.

Club soda. Blot the stain with club soda to help break up chocolate particles and separate them from the fabric's fibers. Rinse with cold water afterward.

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