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University of Illinois Extension
Chocolate, cocoa

Chocolate, cocoa

Treat stains as soon as possible after staining. The older the stain, the more difficult it will be to remove.

All stain removal methods should be applied prior to laundering washable garments. Stains that have been laundered and dried are almost impossible to remove.

Washable Fabrics

What you will need

  • Pretreatment laundry stain remover
  • Heavy-duty liquid detergent
  • Chlorine bleach or oxygen bleach
  • Dry cleaning solvent
  • Absorbent paper towels

Steps to Clean

  1. Saturate area with pretreatment laundry stain remover (aerosol types work better on greasy stains) Wait one minute for product to penetrate the stain. For stubborn stains, rub with heavy-duty liquid detergent. Launder immediately.
  2. If color stain remains, soak/wash in chlorine bleach if safe for fabric, or in oxygen bleach.
  3. For extra heavy stains, apply dry cleaning solvent to back of the stain over absorbent paper towels. Let dry, rinse. Proceed as above.

Carpet

What you will need

  • Ammonia
  • Detergent
  • 3% Hydrogenperoxide

Steps to Clean

  1. Remove as much of the stain as possible by blotting with a white paper towel or scraping with a dull knife, then neutralize with an ammonia solution (1 tablespoon of clear household ammonia to 1/2 cup of water.). Saturate spot with the ammonia solution using a spray bottle. Do not wet backing. Blot with a white paper towel to remove excess moisture.
  2. Apply a small quantity of detergent solution to the spot. (To make the detergent solution mix 1/4 teaspoon of a hand dishwashing detergent which does not contain lanolin or bleach with 1 quart of water) Use a blotting motion to work the detergent into the affected area. If spot is being removed continue applying detergent and blotting with a white paper towel until spot is removed.
  3. Rinse with tap water using a spray bottle, blot to remove excess moisture.
  4. Spray lightly with water, do not blot this time; apply pad of paper towels and brick and allow to dry.
  5. If there is still some stain on the carpet and blotting is not removing it, then moisten the tufts in the stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Let stand for on (1) hour. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free. Light will cause peroxide to change back to water so no rinsing is necessary. Apply pad of paper towels and weight down with brick.

Or


What you will need

  • Dull knife
  • Diluted carpet shampoo
  • Vacuum cleaner

Steps to Clean

  1. Remove excess material by blotting up liquids with a clean absorbent towel and scraping up solids with the dull edge of a knife.
  2. Sponge lightly with cool water and blot several times.
  3. Apply diluted carpet shampoo (1 part liquid carpet shampoo to 4 parts water) with a brush or towel. 
  4. Let the area dry thoroughly, and then vacuum.
  5. Repeat if needed.

Upholstery

What you will need

  • Detergent

Steps to Clean

  1. Mix one (1) tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent with two (2) cups of cool water.
  2. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent solution.
  3. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
  4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears.
  5. Sponge with cold water and blot dry to remove the detergent solution.

Or

What you will need

  • Dry cleaning solvent

Steps to Clean

  1. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the dry cleaning solvent.
  2. Blot until the solvent is absorbed.
  3. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears.