How To Remove Chocolate Stains from Carpets

In the UK, one thing is clear - we’re a nation of chocolate lovers, with each Brit estimated to eat around 8 kilograms of chocolate every year.

However, there may be instances where chocolate falls onto your carpets and can leave a serious stain.

Our research in 2023 revealed that chocolate is one of the most stubborn stains to remove - a clear sign that Brits could use some more advice when it comes to cleaning messy floors.

To help with this, our team at Online Carpets have detailed 5 ways you can easily remove chocolate stains from your floors - particularly on carpets.

However, even if you have easier-to-clean surfaces, like vinyl or laminate flooring, these tips can come in handy when removing those troublesome chocolate stains from other household upholstery.

1. Scrape it and spray it

Start by taking a plastic, or butter knife, and carefully scrape as much as possible off the surface. It’s handy to keep some paper towels next to you for this, so you can transfer the chocolate from the knife onto the paper towel to avoid applying more to the surface during scraping.

After this, apply some surface cleaner to the area, and gently swipe to lift away any residue.

If the stain is on a carpet, however, use some carpet cleaner to help remove any chocolate stains from the fibres.

2. Use washing detergent

You can try this step on its own or as a follow-up to any other method to fully remove the stain.

Simply take some washing detergent, and mix it with a cup of warm water. We would recommend using a clear or white detergent for this, rather than a coloured one, to avoid staining your carpet with any rainbow-like colours.

After you’ve mixed the detergent and warm water, pour it over the stain and let it sit for half a minute. Then, take a paper towel and start blotting the carpet. 

It’s best to start blotting from the outer areas of the stain first and then move inwards, to avoid spreading the chocolate any more.

3. Try a hydrogen peroxide solution

If the stain is tough to remove, try applying some hydrogen peroxide solution. You can buy this in bottles from many shops, and a 3% mixture is recommended.

To do this, simply dampen the stain with the solution, cover it with a paper towel, and let it sit for around 1 hour. After this time, blot the stain, working from the outside first.

Hydrogen peroxide is an effective stain remover, but it can sometimes take a few goes. If the stain doesn't disappear after the first application, repeat the process until the stain starts to vanish.

4. Try white vinegar

For stains on fabric such as the sofa, using white vinegar is a great way to remove chocolate residue.

Simply wet the stain with the white vinegar, and blot it with a cloth to lift off the stain. If residue is still lurking, use baking soda and water to create a mixture.

Then, apply that mixture to the stain, and again, blot with a cloth.

5. Use lemon juice

Believe it or not, lemon juice is a great stain remover, especially on cotton and fabric items.

Apply a small amount of lemon juice to the affected area, and start to dab the stain away. It’s a simple technique but used, and cherished, by many for those tough stains.

For more help with cleaning carpet stains, such as coffee or red wine, we compared old wives’ tales and TikTok cleaning hacks to reveal which ones work the best. Check it out here.