Chocolate lovers will probably relate to concerns about how to remove chocolate stains from all different types of fabrics. It can be so frustrating to be eating your favorite chocolate bar or chocolate coated ice-cream and then to have a small melted section fall down onto your clothes, carpet or get stuck on curtains, sheets, or your favorite pair of jeans.
Chocolate stains can be tricky to remove, because chocolate is naturally high in oil and is usually a dark color due to natural tannins.
But luckily, there are a variety of methods and advice on how to remove chocolate stain, and importantly - on how to remove set in chocolate stains, which can be even more challenging.
If you act quickly to treat the stain, and use the correct methods, then removing chocolate stains from clothes and other fabrics should be simple. It’s important to remember to always read the care instructions for the fabric you’re trying to remove stains from. And also consider using natural, eco-friendly laundry detergents like Kind Laundry products, that are better for the planet and your health.
Below we explore how to remove old chocolate stains from clothes such as jeans, as well as from sheets, carpets. And upholstery.
Arguably the most important aspect of getting rid of chocolate stains in clothes, is to use the right pre-treatment detergent. You have the option of using an eco-friendly, vegan, plastic-free product like our Vegan Stain Remover Bar, and our eco-friendly, Laundry Detergent Sheets that are designed to be free from toxic chemicals.
Are Chocolate Stains Permanent?
Yes, chocolate can stain your clothes, so it’s best to act quickly to try and remove chocolate from your clothes or upholstery. 
Chocolate stains don’t have to be permanent, as long as you don't let them set in for too long. But, even old chocolate stains can be removed if you use the right method.
If you’re wondering how to remove a chocolate stain that’s been there for a while, one of the many methods to remove it includes covering the stain in cream, leaving it to soak into the fabric for around half an hour. Thereafter you can rinse off the cream, pre-treat it with laundry detergent, and rinse it again.
Below are the typical steps to follow to remove chocolate stains, remembering of course to check the care label on your garment for specific washing instructions:
- Treat the stain quickly: don’t allow the stain to set in. It’s easier to remove it if you treat the stain immediately, and scrape off any excess chocolate first.
- Wash the stain with cool water: Always use cool water to wash the stain, because hot water can make stains set in and can also damage delicate fabrics.
- Pre-treat the stain with detergent: Use a small amount of laundry detergent or a stain remover bar with water, and gently rub the stained area allowing the soap to soak into the fabric. It’s important to use a mild detergent that’s safe to use for the type of fabric you’re treating - such as Kind Laundry’s eco-friendly, Vegan Stain Remover Bar or zero-waste Laundry Detergent Sheets.
- Rinse and repeat: After soaking the stain for a few minutes, rinse and then repeat if the stain hasn’t been removed.
- Use a machine wash: Once the stain has been removed, you can put the clothes in the washer on the usual setting, per the care instructions.
Tip: It’s important that you don’t dry the clothes in the sun or use any source of heat unless the stain is completely removed, otherwise the heat could cause the stain to set in.
Does Hot Or Cold Water Get Rid Of Chocolate Stains?
Imagine spilling chocolate all over your new work outfit. You may be searching for how to remove chocolate stains from white shirt right now.
There’s no need to stress - there’s an easy formula to follow to get rid of chocolate stains from clothes.
As to whether to use hot or cold water to remove chocolate stains - the best advice is to always use cold water. Even for stubborn stains, cold water is usually the safest option because heat can just cause chocolate stains to set in further.
The heat from hot water can also make the fat in the chocolate solidify, making it even more challenging to remove. And, if you use hot water to wash delicate fabrics, the heat can also destroy the fabric, and could make colors run.
How To Remove Chocolate Stains From Jeans
Have you just spilled a Twix, Snickers, or Hershey’s on your favorite pair of jeans? Then you’ll probably be desperately searching for the correct method on how to remove chocolate stains from jeans.
Depending on the color of the jeans, the chocolate stain may be more or less noticeable. But no matter the color of the jeans, you can remove chocolate stains.
Here’s what usually works to get rid of chocolate stains on jeans:
- Remove the stain as soon as possible: The quicker you are to remove the stain, the better chance you have of it not being a permanent stain. Scrape off any excess chocolate, gently, so that when you start washing it the stained area won’t grow bigger.
- Rise with cold water: rinse the stained area thoroughly with cold water to remove any excess. It helps to run the water from the inside of the fabric. Avoid using warm or hot water, as that can cause stains to set in, and can also ruin certain delicate fabrics.
- Wash the stain with laundry detergent: Use liquid laundry detergent or a special pretreatment soap like Kind Laundry’s Vegan Stain Remover Bar to remove the stain by rubbing it in gently to the fabric and letting it soak for several minutes before washing it out. This product is suitable for cleaning delicate clothes and fabrics and is effective at removing even the toughest stains like grass stains and coffee stains.
- Rinse and repeat: Rinse out the soap or detergent thoroughly and check to see if the stain has been removed. If not, you can repeat the step above several times.
- Machine wash: once the stain is out, you can wash your jeans on their regular machine wash setting, using laundry detergent.
- Air dry your jeans: It’s best to air dry your jeans somewhere cool. Avoid any heat from the sun or a dryer, as that can cause residual stains to set in, and can also shrink your jeans.
How To Remove Chocolate Stains From Cotton Fabric
Do you want to know how to remove chocolate stains from cotton? Perhaps your favorite cotton sweater has been covered in chocolate, or your white blouse has a very noticeable dark chocolate spot.
You can get rid of chocolate stains on cotton fabric by following the easy steps mentioned above for removing chocolate stains from jeans.
Always remember to check the garment care instructions first.
Tip: If you’re keen to live a vegan, natural, and eco-friendly lifestyle, then you can use Earth-friendly products like Kind Laundry’s Vegan Stain Remover Bar to remove chocolate stains from cotton clothes. It’s free from phosphates, fragrances, sodium laurel, lauryl and laureth sulfate. And, it hasn’t been tested on any animals.
How To Remove Chocolate Stains From White Clothes
Want to know how to remove chocolate stains from clothes? First, it’s important to read the clothing label to find out what type of fabric your clothes are made from, as that will determine what detergent you can use, and what temperatures are appropriate. Certain delicate fabrics will need special care, such as silk, linen or bamboo.
How to remove chocolate stains from white clothes doesn’t have to be complicated. If you follow some simple steps about how to wash whites, you should be able to remove even stubborn chocolate stains from white clothes.
You can follow all the same steps to remove chocolate from jeans. And if that doesn’t work, there are a few extra things you can do with white clothes, as long as the fabric is not too delicate (like silk, bamboo and linen).
Firstly, you can use a white vinegar and water solution, diluted sufficiently, and let the solutions soak into the stain for about 15 minutes. Some people even recommend using undiluted white vinegar to spot-treat stubborn stains.
But, if you use vinegar, you should take special precautions: undiluted white vinegar, which is an acid, can destroy certain delicate fabrics (especially ones that contain elastane). Never use vinegar and bleach together as they can create a toxic and lethal chlorine gas!
Another solution can be to use diluted chlorine or oxygen bleach and to soak stubborn stains in that for a few minutes.
However, avoid using bleach on delicate and elasticated fabrics as it may ruin your clothes and over time, can also make them turn yellowish. Bleach may also be harmful to animals and the environment, so you may want to opt for more eco-friendly laundry detergents that are designed to be planet-friendly and non-toxic.
How To Remove Chocolate From Wool
Wool is a delicate fabric that requires special care when removing stains. It’s important to use a mild detergent when washing wool, and to be very careful not to scrub too hard, or to pull the wool out of shape.
Check the care instructions first, as many types of wool require hand washing only, which means you won’t be able to use a machine wash at all.
And, most woolen clothes have to be dried flat so that they don’t lose their shape or get stretched by the weight of the water.
To remove chocolate stains from wool, follow the same steps above for removing chocolate stains from jeans. But avoid rubbing the stain too vigorously, and don't wring out the wool too tightly as it can damage the wool fibers.
Tips: Avoid using any detergents and stain removers that contain bleach, as that could ruin your woolen clothes. It’s best to look for gentle laundry detergents like Kind Laundry’s products which don’t contain harsh chemicals. And if you want to lead a waste-free, plastic-free lifestyle, you’ll be pleased to know that our products are zero-waste and 100% recyclable.
How To Get Chocolate Out Of Sheets
Bed linen like sheets and pillow covers can be made from a range of materials - from cotton, bamboo and linen, to silk or synthetic materials.
Delicate fabrics will require special care, and that generally includes not using bleach and harsh detergents to clean them. That’s why it’s always best to refer to care label instructions for washing and stain removal.
Here’s how to remove chocolate stains from sheets:
- Remove any excess chocolate
- Wash the stain with cold water
- Apply a gentle stain remover bar like Kind Laundry’s Vegan Stain Remover Bar, or a liquid laundry detergent and allow this to penetrate into the sheet for about 30 minutes
- Wash the stain thoroughly and repeat the step above several time, as needed
- Air dry in a cool place once the stain has been removed.
For more stubborn stains, you may be able to use diluted vinegar or bleach solutions to remove the stains - but NEVER mix these two ingredients as they can produce a toxic and lethal gas. ⚡
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips about how to remove chocolate stain from fabric using vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.
Can I use vinegar to remove chocolate stains?
Vinegar is a natural stain remover solution that can be used in diluted concentrations to get rid of chocolate stains. Mix equal parts of water and vinegar and soak the chocolate stain in the solution for 10 minutes, before washing thoroughly.
Caution ⚡: vinegar should be avoided for sensitive and delicate fabrics, as it can cause them to warp and break. Always avoid using vinegar together with bleach, as it can cause toxic and potentially fatal gasses. And always take care when using vinegar to protect your skin by wearing gloves.
Does hydrogen peroxide remove chocolate stains?
Yes, you can use hydrogen peroxide to remove chocolate stains from clothes. It should be sufficiently diluted per the instructions on the bottle, and you’ll need to avoid contact with other chemicals.
Caution ⚡: Hydrogen peroxide can bleach certain fabrics, so should be handled with care, and ideally spot tested before using. Take care to wear gloves when using hydrogen peroxide to protect your skin. Never use it on delicate fabrics like silk, linen or wool, as it may destroy them. And be careful not to use it on fabrics where you think the colors may run or fade easily. Read this article to find out more about why you may want to avoid using bleach.
How to remove hot chocolate stains
Have you just spilled hot chocolate all over your clothes? Or perhaps a chocolate ice cream or chocolate milk?
Then you’ll no doubt be searching for remedies for how to remove hot chocolate stains, how to remove chocolate milk stain, and how to remove chocolate ice cream stains.
Luckily, we have some tips for you in this regard.
Firstly, try to wash the stain out immediately before it has time to set in. Next wash the stain with cold water, and then apply a mild laundry detergent solution or bleach-free stain remover bar to the chocolate stain and allow it to soak in for 15 to 30 minutes.
Then wash out the soap thoroughly and repeat the process several times, if needed. Remember to air dry your clothes in the shade - avoiding any heat source helps ensure that if there is a residual stain that it won’t be set in by using heat.
How To Get Chocolate Out Of Carpet
Chocolate stains can be removed without having to get in professional carpet cleaners. how to remove chocolate stains from carpet or other types of home surfaces, like curtains, will depend on what the fabric is made from.
You may be able to use a washing vacuum to remove stains, but if they've been there a while and look like they’ll be tough stains to remove, you may want to pretreat the stains and scrub them by hand. Or you can use Kind Laundry’s new Tampico Stain Brush which you can use to gently pre-treat your toughest stains.
How to remove a chocolate stain from carpet
Here’s a useful step-by-step guide for removing chocolate stains from carpets:
- Check what fabric your carpet is made from and any care instructions. Carpets are generally hard-wearing as they take a lot of foot traffic, but some carpets can require special care.
- Spot test the laundry detergent on a piece of carpet that won't be noticed.
- Apply a solution of eco-friendly laundry detergent or Vegan Stain Remover Bar and water to the stain. Gently scrub the stain with Kind Laundry’s Tampico Stain Brush and allow the laundry detergent or mild stain remover to penetrate deep into the carpet for 30 minutes.
- Allow the carpet to air dry, naturally. Avoid using any heat to dry the carpet, as that can make stains set in.
Tip: Avoid using bleach to clean your carpet, as that may permanently discolor your carpets!
How To Get Chocolate Out Of Upholstery
Are you looking for tips on how to remove chocolate stains from upholstery or how to remove a chocolate stain from a couch? Then you’ll be happy to hear that there are actually various methods for how to remove a chocolate stain from upholstery.
Firstly, you’re definitely not the only person who’s ever spilled chocolate on a sofa or couch. And if you have kids, this is a common occurrence.
Here’s a of guide to how to remove chocolate stains, whether on your favorite lounger, couch or sofa bed:
- Be quick: it’s so important to act quickly with chocolate stains so that the stain doesn’t have time to set in, making it far more difficult to remove.
- Remove excess chocolate: start by removing any excess chocolate by carefully and delicately scraping off any excess, while being mindful not to rub it into the upholstery fabric.
- Check the care instructions for your upholstery: Upholstery fabric can be made from a range of different materials, each having special care instructions. So it’s important to first establish what type of fabric it’s made of, which may dictate how you treat the stain.
- Spot test the stain: The last thing you want is to use a stain remover or detergent to treat your chocolate stain, that then ends up damaging or changing the color of your upholstery. That’s why it's recommended that you spot test the detergent solution on an area of the upholstery where it won’t be noticed.
Tip: You’re likely to stain your upholstery more than once in your lifetime, so it may help to record your steps on how to remove chocolate stain from couch, noting down what worked and what didn’t. That way if you have a stain in the future, you already know the steps to use to get rid of it successfully.
