Removing cocoa stains: How it works

Removing cocoa stains - step by step

Step 1: Attack is the best defense! Therefore, it is best to rinse the cocoa stain immediately under lukewarm water or dab it with a dry cloth.

Step 2: Next, choose a detergent that’s suitable for the fabric and check the highest possible temperature at which the garment can be washed. In principle, this is the best strategy against all types of stains.

Step 3: Once the correct detergent and temperature are selected, simply wash the cocoa-stained garment together with your other clothes.

Done! After washing, check that the stain has completely disappeared. If anything is still visible, repeat the washing process.

Expert tip: A good stain remover makes short work of hot chocolate stains. But be careful! Always make sure that the garment is suitable for the product

First aid for cocoa stains

If hot chocolate is a hit with your kids, then you probably know the following scenario: As soon as the cocoa has cooled down a bit, they gulp it down so fast that half the cup’s contents land on their sweater. But even us adults don't always get it right. Sometimes the squirty cream on top hides how full the mug actually is, so when lifted up too quickly, the cocoa sloshes over and your clothes suddenly get a color change.

But no matter who spills the hot chocolate – you should always dab the stain with a clean cloth first. The cloth absorbs the cocoa and prevents the stain from spreading further. Although it doesn’t remove it, it makes it much smaller and dries it out. It makes it easier if your cocoa mishap happens at home, because you can take off the garment straight away, continue to treat it, then wash it under running water.

Quick and easy removal of hot chocolate stains from clothing

If a large drop of cocoa has landed on your child’s top, your first concern is of course that your child hasn’t scalded themselves. The damp spot on the sweater is always a shame, but definitely not the end of the world. With a few tips and tricks, you can quickly remove cocoa stains from your favorite item of clothing.

Pre-cleaning

If you want to treat cocoa stains when you’re out and about and do not have any water available, the first cleaning step is to dab the stain. Soak up as much liquid as possible this way. It is important that you dab carefully and don’t rub the stain, otherwise you’ll only work the stain deeper into the material.

Choosing the detergent and stain remover

If the stained garment is washable, then Persil brand definitely has the right detergent for you. Persil products offer powerful stain removal while protecting the clothing’s fibers at the same time. It is up to you whether you choose Persil^® Power-Caps^® 2in1 Stain Fighter or Persil^® Power-Liquid^® Stain Fighter . It’s very important to always check the care label before using the stain remover! 

Wash and stain check

The washing process should be carried out at the highest possible temperature, preferably with a Persil detergent. A stain remover that’s suitable for this particular fabric can be applied to the stain or added to the detergent before washing, as this helps to loosen cocoa stains from clothing. Most cocoa residue will be removed after a single wash. With stains disappearing this quickly, it means you and your little ones can get on with enjoying the next hot chocolate.

Removing cocoa stains from sensitive fabrics

If cocoa splashes on a cotton t-shirt or jeans, it’s relatively easy to remove the stain with most detergents and stain removers. However, wool, silk and other delicate fabrics must be treated more gently. When washing, you should always use a suitable mild detergent. It’s also possible to use a stain remover that is specifically recommended for delicate materials.

Removing cocoa stains from multi-colored textiles

To make sure you don’t ruin your favorite sweater, you should also bear in mind the color of the garment when removing stains. Do not use a non-colorfast cloth to dab the garment otherwise the dye from the cloth could rub off onto your sweater and then you’ll have two stains to worry about. In addition, you should always apply stain remover to an inconspicuous area first to check the color fastness of the material you want to clean.