How to remove chocolate stains
Protein + a little grease — keep it cool. Here's the safe way to lift a chocolate stain — these steps work for most fabrics, and you can tailor them to yours in the tool below.
Good odds
Usually lifts if you treat it promptly.
Do this now
- 1
Scrape off the excess; let it harden in the freezer first if it’s smeared.
- 2
Rinse the back of the stain under cool water.
- 3
Work in enzyme detergent and leave 15 minutes.
- 4
Wash cool–warm as the label allows; check before drying.
Use
- Enzyme detergent
- Washing-up liquid
- Cool water
Avoid
- Hot water (sets the protein)
- Rubbing
- Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia, alcohol, rust remover, or other cleaners.
- Use only one stain-removal chemical at a time, then rinse before trying another.
Good to know
These steps suit most washable fabrics. Choose your fabric to tailor them — gentler for wool, silk and other delicates, firmer for cotton and denim.