Trish asked, “Best way to remove a curious stain from the carpet? Possibly chocolate??”
Table of Contents:
Everyone loves chocolate, just not on the carpet! Select a cleaning solution from the list below and use the steps to remove the chocolate stain. If one solution does not work, select another and continue working through the steps until the stain is removed. Always test a cleaning solution for carpet on a small out-of-the-way area before attempting to clean the stain.
Removing the Chocolate Stain
You Will Need:
- White paper towels or cloths
- Old sponge
- Rubbing alcohol
- Dishwashing liquid
- Ammonia
- 3% hydrogen peroxide
- Powdered laundry detergent
- Old toothbrush
- Borax
- Club soda
Steps to Remove the Chocolate Stain:
- Working toward the middle of the stain, scrape off as much of the chocolate as you can.
- Apply rubbing alcohol to a clean white towel/cloth. Blot the stain, turning and changing the towel until the stain is transferred to the towel.¹
- Mix ¼ teaspoon dishwashing liquid with 1 cup water. Soak a clean white towel with the mixture. Blot the stain, turning and changing the towel until the stain is transferred to the towel.¹
- Mix 2 tablespoons ammonia with 1 cup lukewarm water. Soak a clean white towel with the mixture. Blot the stain, turning and changing the towel until the stain is transferred to the towel.¹ (Do not use ammonia on wool carpets as it will damage the fibers.) Rinse the area thoroughly when the stain is gone.
- Mix 1 teaspoon powdered laundry detergent with 1 cup water. Scrub the mixture gently into the pile of the carpet with an old clean toothbrush from the outside of the stain inwards. Rinse by sponging with cold water until the suds are gone.²
- Make a paste of borax and water. Apply to the stain with a toothbrush, gently working the paste into the fibers. Allow to air dry. Vacuum the area.²
- Mix ½ cup 3% hydrogen peroxide with 1 teaspoon ammonia. Spray or sponge onto the stain to saturate the stain, but not enough to soak through to the pad. Let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with club soda.³ (Do not use ammonia on wool carpets as it will damage the fibers and do not use hydrogen peroxide on dark colors of carpet as it can have a bleaching effect.)
- When the stain has been removed, rinse with cold water by sponging thoroughly.
- Blot up any excess liquid with clean white paper towels or cloths.
- Allow the area to totally air dry.
- Vacuum to raise the carpet fibers.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Use proper ventilation when working with ammonia and do not mix with products containing bleach, as toxic fumes could develop. See Wikipedia for more ammonia safety information.
- Caution should be used when storing and using hydrogen peroxide; see Wikipedia for more information.
Sources
- Clean Like a Man by Tom McNulty
- The Stain and Spot Remover Handbook by Jean Cooper
- How the Queen Cleans Everything by Linda Cobb
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