How to Get Chocolate out of a Carpet
If you have kids or you enjoy a sweet treat now and again, you will be familiar with the stress of chocolate on a carpet. You do not have to panic when this happens, as there are several easy and effective guides on how to get chocolate out of a carpet.
Any sticky substance on a carpeted area can pose a challenge, as it is not as easy to eliminate as it is on tile or wooden floors. The key is to use strong but safe cleaning solutions that remove the mess without damaging the carpet.
In this article, we’ll not only break down how to get melted chocolate out of a carpet but also how to clean dried chocolate and get those pesky chocolate stains out. We’ve got you covered no matter the situation.
What this article covers:
- How to Get Melted Chocolate out of a Carpet
- How to Get Dried Chocolate out of a Carpet
- How to Remove Chocolate Stains from a Carpet
How To Get Melted Chocolate Out Of A Carpet
When it comes to chocolate stains, melted chocolate that is still wet is the easiest form to remove. This is why it is important to get to work on cleaning the stain quickly after it occurs before it starts to dry.
Step 1:
Use a spoon or knife to scoop up as much melted chocolate as possible from the area. Do it slowly and carefully to avoid pressing it into the carpet fiber.
This will remove the excess, leaving you with minimal chocolate to clean up. This is also where you would start to remove hot chocolate from a carpet.
Step 2:
Apply a few tablespoons of cold water to the messy area, so that it covers the stain completely. Apply enough water for it to soak through the fibers and reach all chocolate particles.
Step 3:
Pour a teaspoon of washing liquid onto the dampened area. This can be a general cleaning liquid or dishwashing liquid.
Use your fingers to lather the soap and water together to make a light foam over the area. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing, as this could make the stain worse.
Step 4:
Place a cloth or towel over the lathered area, and use your hands to press it into the carpet. You can apply pressure by placing a larger, heavier object on top of the towel for it to soak up the liquid.
Leave that on for about an hour.
Step 5:
After the waiting period, remove the towel. Use more cold water to rinse out any remaining soap, and dab the area with a towel to dry it as much as possible.
Leave it to air dry completely for a few hours, or overnight, depending on how long it takes.
Step 6:
When the carpet is completely dry, check to see if all chocolate has been removed. If there are still traces, repeat the process until clear.
This process can also be used to clean milk spilled on a carpet.
How To Get Dried Chocolate Out Of A Carpet
If you have a dried chocolate stain on your carpet, the degree of cleaning needed becomes a little more heavy-duty. Once the chocolate has dried, it has also attached itself to the carpet fibers and soaked in a lot more than a brand new stain.
But do not despair, as there are still simple enough ways to eradicate this type of mess.
Step 1:
Pour your baking soda onto the dried chocolate stain. Make sure you pour enough to cover the area fully.
A good indication of the amount to pour is not being able to see the stain under the soda.
Step 2:
Combine one cup of cold water with one cup of white spirit vinegar. Transfer this to a spray bottle, and shake well to mix the two.
A spray bottle will allow you to apply the solution gently without flooding the carpet.
Step 3:
Use the spray bottle to spritz the vinegar and water solution onto the baking soda that is applied to the carpet. Spray generously enough to cover and lightly dampen the baking soda, so that the two components combine to create a strong cleaner.
Once sprayed, leave the solution and baking soda for about 15 minutes to allow it to soak into the stained carpet.
Step 4:
After the waiting time, use a dry cloth to blot the area. Do not rub the carpet, as this may damage the fabric or worsen the stain in the process.
Continue blotting to absorb as much moisture as possible.
Step 5:
After blotting the carpet with a dry cloth for a few minutes, leave it to dry completely. This may take a couple of hours, or you can leave it overnight.
Step 6:
Once the carpet is completely dry, check the area to see if there is still traces of chocolate on the fibers. If there is, you can then repeat the entire process to clear it up.
Step 7:
If there are no traces of chocolate, then you will need to clean off any excess baking soda. It will be dry at this point, so you can use a broom or brush to sweep it up, but it is easiest to use a vacuum as this will suck up any residue within the carpet.
You can also use a carpet cleaning brush machine for this step. This process can be applied to remove dried coffee stains from a carpet, too.
How To Remove Chocolate Stains From A Carpet
If a chocolate mess on a carpet has been left for some time, you may find that you have a stubborn chocolate stain which can be a bit tougher to remove than a more recent stain.
To effectively remove this, it is generally best practice to use a professional carpet cleaning chemical that has been made with your specific stain in mind. This will ensure that it gets it out, while also keeping your carpet free from any discoloration or damage.
You can opt for specific cleaning tools or solutions, or go for a carpet repair kit if the stain is really bad. This heavy-duty cleaning can work just as well for other serious stains, such as cleaning carpet wine spills.
Step 1:
When using stronger chemicals, it is wise to remove any furniture or objects from the general area of the stain before you begin the cleaning process.
This prevents damage or discoloration, as a chemical that is safe to use on a carpet may not necessarily have the same effect on furniture or objects made of other fabrics.
Step 2:
Before applying solutions, use a broom or hard bristle brush to scrub the stained area. You can also use a Hydro Force Gekko here. This will remove as many dried chocolate particles as possible, making the actual cleaning process a lot easier.
Once you have unearthed the dry particles, use a small vacuum or a Rotovac carpet cleaner to clean this up effectively. A broom will also work but may take a bit longer.
Step 3:
Next, you will use your carpet prespray or specialized cleaner. One of the best on the market today is Truck Mount Forum’s Ultimate All Fibre Rinse.
This is a well-concentrated solution that rinses out stains and particles quickly and effectively, without changing the composition or color of the carpet in the process. It ensures the carpet is softened once the stain is removed.
It comes with a Sweet Breeze or Original Citrus scent, which also leaves your carpet smelling fresh and pleasant afterward.
Step 4:
Mix the solution according to the directions on the bottle, and transfer it to a spray bottle.
Spray the mixed solution generously onto the stain, until it is damp.
Step 5:
Retrieve the hard bristle brush that you used earlier, and scrub the solution well into the carpet.
This will ensure the cleaner has soaked through the carpet fibers and run over all bacterial particles from the stain, to then effectively remove them.
Step 6:
The area will be damp, so leave to dry for a few hours, or overnight if necessary.
Once the waiting period is over and the carpet is completely dry (press into the area to check that it has dried all the way down), check that the stain is fully removed.
If there are still traces of chocolate, repeat the entire process.
This process also works really well to remove old tea stains from a carpet.
Conclusion
There are a few good ways to effectively remove chocolate from a carpet, whether it is melted, dried, or stained. It is not unlike other stain removal processes, such as removing dried food coloring from a carpet.
You can go for lighter home remedies if it is a newer stain, but for the older, stubborn stains, you generally need a heavy-duty clean with professional carpet cleaning tools and specific chemicals. For highly stubborn stains, you can even look to use water extraction equipment.
Always check cleaning ingredients carefully to ensure it is compatible with your carpet to avoid damage, fading, or discoloration.
Before you begin cleaning, ensure you have all the necessary solutions and equipment that you will need, like cleaning machines or velcro straps.
Did you find our blog helpful? Then consider checking other guides:
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- How to Get Gum Out of Carpet
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- How to Get Chocolate Milk Out of Carpet
- How to Get Stains Out of Carpet
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