Common household item that gets chocolate stains out of clothes

It's almost Easter which can only mean one thing – chocolate.

But with chocolate comes something else; chocolate stains, which can be hard to remove from clothing.

So what better way to ring in the Easter long weekend than with a refresher on the best way to remove chocolate stains from clothing. You can thank us later.

Firstly, let's take a look at why chocolate stains so badly. There are essentially a number of reasons for this: the dark colour of chocolate, which is derived mainly from cacao (or cocoa), the high fat and sugar content of chocolate, and a process known as oxidation.

Cacao is derived from the beans of the Theobroma cacao tree and contains tannins, which are natural, dark pigments that can cling to fabric fibres.

Meanwhile, the fat and oil in chocolate leaves a greasy, stubborn residue, which can worsen if hot water is used to clean it off, while the sugar in chocolate helps it bind to the fabric.

Once a chocolate stain is exposed to air (oxidation), the stain can deepen and stick to fabric. 

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So how do you get it out? And do home remedies such as baking soda or vinegar remove chocolate stains?

The best stain remover for chocolate stains on clothing is a common household item that you will find in any home – dishwashing detergent.

This is because dishwashing detergent is specially formulated to cut through fat and grease, which are among the main components of chocolate.

Dishwashing detergent acts as a strong surfactant, and is able to break up fat molecules and lift them from the fabric's fibres.

You can apply the dishwashing detergent directly to the stain as a concentrated pre-treatment before washing. It will even work if the stain has been on the clothing for some time.

Below is a step-by-step guide to getting chocolate stains out of clothing.

Step 1.

Before you get to work with the detergent, the first step is to try to scrape off large amounts of chocolate from the garment.

Step 2.

Next rinse the stain, using cold water.

Step 3.

Place some dishwashing detergent directly on the stain and gently rub. Then wait five minutes before checking if this was enough to remove the stain.

Step 4. If not, you can try adding a little hydrogen peroxide or vinegar, which will help lift any dark, stubborn strains by breaking down the tannins.

Step 5.

Let it sit for five to 15 minutes before rinsing with cold water. Remember, if the stain didn't fully come out, do not dry the item in a dryer before trying again as this will set the stain into the fabric.

Step 6.

You can try all the steps again if the stain still isn't completely out.

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