We love to wear light-colored clothes, whether for a fashion statement or aesthetics, but the aftermath of getting your favorite ruined by a cup of hot chocolate is overwhelming. As chocolate contains two elements – tannins and oil – these elements may create stains on fabrics that can be difficult to remove over time. So, your battle is not with the stain but with time. If you take the necessary strides, getting rid of the stains will be a cakewalk.
Tips to Remove Choco-Milk Stains
GenZ’s marching ahead in terms of creativity and innovation suggests the technological progress that the world is witnessing at the moment. Yet many do not know how to remove coffee stains from clothes. Coffee and chocolate are supposedly one of the most stubborn stains from an edible source that people deal with, followed by smoothies, ice creams, and other fluids. We already know that a stain from chocolate milk or smoothie is too stubborn to be eliminated at ease. But what’s familiar in all these stains is that they are organic, and the composition, once spilled on the garments, starts to dry and decompose.
Try Blotting
If your garment got stained by chocolate milk or any milk-based source, blot the affected area with tissue paper or a paper towel placed on the other side of the region. Wash the stain under running water to propel the organic particles through the fabric to the tissue paper. Doing so will prevent rotting in the affected area and lighten the stain. One thing that you should be mindful of is to avoid using warm water or heat drying the garment, as it will act as a catalyst to dry the stain out and make it laborious for you to remove it later.
Removing Dry Stains
If the stain has been there for a while, then don’t wet wash it immediately. Grab something blunt and gently scrub the affected area. Dealing with dry stains can be hectic, but do not give up easily. You will not be able to remove all of the blemishes on the first attempt, but you need to keep repeating the same steps, and it will get lighter. Pre-treat the stain with home remedies to get the best result without the need for harsh chemicals or the supermarket.
Using a Cleaning Agent
Your regular laundry detergent may help clean the stains if the spill is fresh. You can alternatively make your DIY stain remover. Take a bowl and mix two tablespoons of dish soap with two cups of cold water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle. You can also add borax for effective cleaning.
Home Remedies
You might already know about the effectiveness of baking soda, white vinegar, and citric acid, but not everything is suitable for pre-treating your garment stains. You can use baking soda and dishwashing liquid in the same proportion as hydrogen peroxide. Baking soda is a great alternative to hydrogen peroxide. Alternatively, you can also use white distilled vinegar, combine vinegar and water in equal proportions, apply it on the stains, gently scrub the area and let it rest for about an hour before washing it off. If vinegar is too strong for your garments then use lemon juice instead.
Using Hydrogen Peroxide
The name might suggest that the chemical is harsh. Yes, it is, but on the stains and not the fabric. You should not use hydrogen peroxide on dark-colored fabrics, as it may lead to discoloration. Create a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and dishwashing liquid in a 2:1 ratio. Apply the mixture to the affected area and let it stay for about an hour before rinsing it with cold water. If the stain remains, avoid using fabric softener as it creates a thin layer on the garments and makes the existing blemishes hard to remove.
Stain Remover
It is always a good idea to keep a stain remover handy. The best part is that there are plenty of options available in the market that do not have harsh chemicals and are both non-toxic and eco-friendly. An organic stain remover works best on stains from organic sources and prevents the growth of micro-organisms. It saves a lot of time and effort and justifies the cost. The proportions vary from one another, but the products have liaised with user-friendly instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will dry cleaning help you to remove chocolate milk stains?
Yes, dry cleaners use chemical solvents that can easily manage the tannins and oil in chocolate stains. Dry cleaning your clothes usually removes the stains from any fabrics.
2. What are some detergents which are useful in getting rid of chocolate milk stains?
The laundry detergents that are available in your local market will help you remove the chocolate milk stains. You can also make your DIY cleaning detergents using household products.
3. Are lemons useful in removing chocolate milk stains?
Lemon juices are used as a pre-treatment for your white or light-colored clothes. The acid will help break down the chocolate milk stain. Apply just the required amount of juice to soak the stain. Later wash it off using a mixture of cleaning detergent and cold water.