The Secret to Cleaning Chocolate Stains Is a Little Bit Backwards

updated Feb 6, 2024
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overhead shot of a the edge of a rug with a few pieces of chocolate on it.
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

What’s the first thing you do when you spill food on your clothes? I usually go right for the dish soap and start blotting with a clean cloth — and for the most part, that takes care of things (but I’ll grab and spritz on a stain remover if anything remains). But if you’re dealing with a chocolate stain, well … everything you know about stain removal? It’s a lie.

Okay, so it’s not really a lie, but taking care of chocolate spills is basically the exact opposite of everything you’ve ever been taught about stain removal. Here’s what you need to know about getting out chocolate stains from clothes, upholstery, and carpets or rugs.

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

How to Remove Chocolate Stains from Clothing

To get chocolate stains out of clothes, you’ll have to work a bit “backwards” by flushing out the stain from the back instead of directly on top. Here’s how.

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 1: Gently scrape off excess chocolate.

Scrape off as much of the spill as you can using a butter knife or an index card, but be gentle as to avoid pushing any chocolate further into the fabric.

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 2: Flush the stain out from the back.

Using cold water (or soda water), flush out the stain from the back — don’t run water on top of the stain like you would with other spills, or it can drive it further into the fibers — to push out any leftover chocolate.

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 3: Clean with dish soap.

Rub the stain with dish soap (or a biological laundry detergent) thoroughly until the stain is saturated with soap.

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 4: Soak in water and rub the stain.

Soak for 15 minutes in cold water, rubbing the stain every 3 to 5 minutes.

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 5: Apply stain remover, if needed.

You can apply a stain remover if the spot persists, but otherwise, launder as usual.

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

How to Remove Chocolate Stains from Upholstery

The key to getting chocolate out of clothing may be scraping and cleaning the stain from the back, but the key to handling chocolate stains on upholstery? Let it harden first — I know, I know, it sounds totally backwards, but it works.

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 1: Gently scrape off excess chocolate.

Much like dealing with clothing stains, scrape any excess chocolate off gently with a knife or some card stock.

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 2: Place ice cubes in a bag and set over the stain.

Put some ice cubes into a small plastic zipper bag (like a small ice pack) and set the bag over the stain for about 10 minutes to harden any leftover chocolate residue.

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 3: Remove and scrape again.

Remove the ice pack and scrape the remaining chocolate as in Step 1.

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 4: Blot the stain with a sponge.

Put some dish soap on a damp sponge, and use it to blot the stain until you’ve gotten as much out as possible.

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 5: Rinse the sponge and blot again.

Rinse the sponge and blot again to remove any soap left on the stain.

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 6: Dry the area.

Pat dry with a clean, dry white towel (colorful towels might transfer dye). If any chocolate remains, sprinkle cornmeal over it and let it set for 30 minutes, then wipe away with a clean, dry towel.

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

How to Remove Chocolate from Carpets/Rugs

Removing chocolate from carpets and rugs is difficult, but not impossible. Ryan Knoll, owner of Tidy Casa, shares his step-by-step process for getting it out.

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 1: Gently scrape off excess chocolate.

Carefully remove any excess chocolate with a blunt knife or a spoon. Do your best to avoid pushing the chocolate deeper into the carpet fibers.

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 2: Blot the spot with cold water.

Dab the stained area with a cloth soaked in cold water. Cold water helps prevent the stain from setting further.

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 3: Add some stain remover.

Use a carpet-specific stain remover or a mixture of dish soap and water. Apply it gently onto the stain.

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 4: Blot the spot again, with a dry cloth.

Blot the area with a clean, dry cloth. Rubbing can spread the stain or work it deeper into the fibers.

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 5: Rinse the spot with cold water.

After the stain starts lifting, rinse the area with cold water and blot with a dry cloth. Repeat the cleaning process until the stain is gone.

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 6: Dry the area.

Once the stain is removed, ensure the area is completely dry. You can use a fan or a dry towel to absorb moisture.

Why Chocolate Is Such a Difficult Stain to Remove

Chocolate is among the most annoying stains to remove, says cleaning specialist Alvin Pullins from Nerd in the House. Nearly everything in chocolate is designed to make a mess.

“They contain a high combination of oil content, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, fats, sugars, and dark pigment called tannins,” he says. “In other words, the fat and oil content can set into your fabric or rugs, while sugars and cocoa may create a sticky residue.”

That results in a stain with an oily texture that’s particularly difficult to remove. Knoll says the dairy and sugar can also contribute to the persistence and color of the stain. So remember to be extra careful the next time you have chocolate!