Chocolate stain on a baby pink shirt

How to Get Chocolate Stains Out Of Clothes

You can usually remove chocolate stains from clothes with the right stain-removing method for your fabric. In general, you’ll need dish soap, cold water and a little elbow grease to get that pesky stain out of your garments.

Sometimes the most delicious treats make the biggest messes. Luckily, removing chocolate stains from your kids’ clothes or even removing stains from tough fabrics like a denim jacket is no problem. Learn how to get chocolate out of clothes by following these simple steps.

Always check and follow your appliance and product use and care instructions before beginning any task, as it should be your primary source of information.

Stained pink blouse soaking in a bowl with cleaning products Stained pink blouse soaking in a bowl with cleaning products

Does Chocolate Stain Clothes Permanently? 

No, chocolate does not usually stain clothes permanently. With the right technique, you can remove most chocolate stains from a variety of fabrics.

How to Remove Chocolate Stains from Cotton & Cotton/Poly Blends 

If you’ve smeared chocolate on your favorite cotton or cotton blend garment, you’ll want to remove it as soon as possible. 

The following instructions can be used for white clothes, lights, darks, jeans, towels and sheets.

Supplies
  • Enzyme detergent

  • Oxygen bleach

Tools
  • Dull knife or spoon

  • Washing machine

Stained shirt icon

Step 1: Remove Excess Chocolate

Use a dull knife or spoon to lift off any excess.

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Step 2: Flush Stain in Cold Water

Flush stain in cool water from the backside of the garment.

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Step 3: Soak in Cold Water & Enzyme Detergent

Soak in cool water with an enzyme detergent for 10–20 minutes.

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Step 4: Apply Enzyme Detergent & Wash in Hot Water

Apply an enzyme detergent to any remaining stain and wash in the hottest water safe for the garment with an oxygen bleach.

How to Remove Chocolate Stains from Polyester, Spandex & Nylon

The steps to removing chocolate stains from synthetic fabrics like polyester, spandex and nylon is similar to removing chocolate from cotton blends. This method can be used for white clothes, lights, darks and activewear.

Supplies
  • Enzyme detergent

  • Oxygen bleach

Tools
  • Dull knife or spoon

  • Washing machine

Stained shirt icon

Step 1: Remove Excess Chocolate

Use a dull knife or spoon to lift off any excess.

Water droplet icon

Step 2: Flush Stain in Cold Water

Flush stain in cool water from the backside of the garment.

Detergent bottle icon

Step 3: Soak in Cold Water & Enzyme Detergent

Soak in cool water with an enzyme detergent for 10–20 minutes.

Washing machine icon

Step 4: Apply Enzyme Detergent & Wash in Hot Water

Apply an enzyme detergent to any remaining stain and wash in the hottest water safe for the garment with an oxygen bleach.

How to Remove Chocolate Stains from Wool, Silk, Linen, Rayon & Acrylic

The main difference in this stain-removing method is the use of mild detergent rather than enzyme detergent. The steps below can be used for sweaters, blouses, sheer fabrics and swimsuits that have chocolate stains.

Supplies
  • Mild detergent

  • Oxygen bleach

Tools
  • Dull knife or spoon

  • Washing machine

 Stained shirt icon

Step 1: Remove Excess Chocolate

Use a dull knife or spoon to lift off any excess.

Water droplet icon

Step 2: Flush Stain in Cold Water

Flush stain in cool water from the backside of the garment.

Detergent bottle icon

Step 3: Mix Detergent With Cold Water & Add Garment

Mix a mild detergent in cool water then add the stained garment.

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Step 4: Squeeze Soapy Water Through Garment

Gently squeeze the soapy water through the garment to help release the stain.

Washing machine icon

Step 5: Rub Detergent Into Stain & Wash in Warm Water

Rub a little detergent into any remaining stain, then wash in the warmest water safe for the garment with an oxygen bleach.

How Do You Get Chocolate Out of White Clothes? 

The steps for removing chocolate from white clothes varies depending on the type of fabric used to make the garment. Generally, you can remove chocolate by flipping the item inside out and flushing the stain with cool water, then either spot treating or soaking it with detergent.

Always consult the laundry care label of your clothing before attempting to remove a stain to avoid damaging the fabric.

Do You Wash Chocolate Stains in Hot or Cold Water?

You actually need both hot and cold water to help remove chocolate stains from articles of clothing. First you should flush the stain with cool water, then wash it in warm or hot water.

 

Clothes inside a washing machine with an impeller Clothes inside a washing machine with an impeller

What Cleaning Products Should You Use To Remove Chocolate Stains?

There are a few common cleaning products that can be used to remove chocolate stains, but most commonly used are enzyme detergents, mild detergents and oxygen bleach.

1. Enzyme Detergents

Enzyme detergents target stains such as blood, food stains, ketchup stains, grass and others. These are most commonly liquid formulations but powdered formulations are also available. Check the label of your detergent to see if yours contains enzymes.

2. Oxygen Bleach

Oxygen bleach is an alternative to traditional chlorine bleach that is generally safe on colors. It’s colorless, fragrance-free and comes in either a liquid or powder form.

3. Mild Detergents

Mild detergents tend to be formulated for delicate fabrics or sensitive skin. The labels often indicate that they’re fragrance-free or gentle on skin.

4. Other Cleaning Products

Will Baking Soda Remove Chocolate Stains?

When used properly, baking soda could potentially help remove chocolate stains. Apply the product to wet stains to absorb moisture and draw the stain out of the fabric, or soak the garment in a mixture of baking soda and cold water to draw out the stain.

Does Hydrogen Peroxide Remove Chocolate Stains?

With the help of dish soap, hydrogen peroxide can possibly help remove chocolate stains from your clothes. Mix two parts hydrogen peroxide and one part dish soap, then apply the mixture directly to the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes.

Will Bleach Remove Chocolate Stains?

Bleach alone will not remove chocolate stains. First you will need to flush the stain with cool water and spot treat it with either enzyme or mild detergent. Bleach can be added during the wash cycle to assist in stain fighting if permitted per your item’s care tag.

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