How to Clean Chocolate from a Carpet

Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Last Updated: November 11, 2023

Are you familiar with that sinking feeling when you find a lump of chocolate pressed into the carpet? Don't worry! White, dark, and milk chocolate can be removed quite quickly from synthetic and natural fiber rugs using household products like detergent and carpet shampoo.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Prepping for Stain Removal

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Take action as soon as possible after the chocolate has been rubbed into the carpet. As with most stains, the longer you leave it, the tougher it will be to remove.
2
Remove excess chocolate. You can use a paper towel to blot excess chocolate, or scrape it gently with a dull knife.^{[1]
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- If you choose to use a knife, place the removed chocolate onto a paper towel. Wipe the knife frequently to avoid smearing or grinding in the chocolate.
- If the chocolate is soft, chill it with an ice cube or frozen package to make it easier to chip out with the knife.
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3
Check the carpet type. Different carpets react to stain removal techniques in different ways. Using the wrong removal method could cause the stain to become permanent or leave a worse mark than the stain itself.
- Determine if your carpet is made of natural or synthetic fiber, as this will affect the types of liquid cleaners that are safe to use.
- If you're in any doubt about your carpet's suitability, contact a professional carpet cleaner.
Before trying out any cleaning solutions, test a small amount on a patch of carpet. Wait 20 minutes to ensure the product will not damage your carpet. If your carpet starts to turn brown or lighter in color, immediately rinse the solution with cold water. Stop and call a professional.
These will protect your hands from the chemicals in the cleaning solutions. You may also want to put on an old t-shirt just in case any other cleaning solutions splashes onto your clothing.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Cleaning a Synthetic Fiber Carpet with Detergent

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Combine 0.25 tsp (1.2 mL) translucent liquid dishwashing detergent, like Joy or Dawn, with 8 fl oz (240 mL) of lukewarm water.^{[2]
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2
Apply the detergent solution. Dip a white cloth or paper towel into the detergent solution and blot the stain. Then, press the cloth or paper towel into the stain for several seconds. Wait for 15 minutes as the detergent dissolves the stain, then use a clean, dry white cloth or paper towel to remove excess liquid.
- Remember to perform a patch test before applying the detergent.
- You may need to repeat this application a few times for it to be effective.
3
Follow up with a vinegar solution. To make a vinegar solution, combine 8 fl oz (240 mL) of white vinegar with 16 fl oz (470 mL) of water. Dip a white cloth or paper towel into the vinegar solution and blot the stain. Then, press the cloth or paper towel into the stain for several seconds. Wait for 15 minutes, then blot the area with lukewarm water to rinse. Allow the area to dry.
- This step is important in removing residual detergent from your carpet. That way, dirt won’t stick to the treated area.^{[3]
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4
Use a heavy object to treat particularly bad stains. If the stain is especially bad, you might need to apply extra pressure during the drying process. Cover the stain with a 0.5 in (1.3 cm) thick stack of white paper towels or a couple of clean, white rags and a place a heavy object, such as a glass baking dish, on top. Let it sit for 15 minutes.
- If the weight is coloured or porous, put a plastic bag between it and the paper towel. This will protect the weight and prevent dye from leaking into the carpet.
Using a damp paper towel or cloth, moisten the spot and blot. Allow the area to dry.
6
Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide if the stain persists. Detergent may not completely remove the stain. If this is the case, dampen the spot with 3% hydrogen peroxide and allow it to sit for 1 hour, then blot. Repeat this process until the stain is removed. Then, cover the stain with kitchen towel and a heavy object and allow the area to dry again.^{[4]
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- If you cannot remove the stain, try the next method or consider calling a carpet cleaning company.
- Keep in mind that hydrogen peroxide can have a bleaching effect on carpets, so make sure to do a spot test on an inconspicuous part of the carpet before you do this. Wait 20 minutes after applying hydrogen peroxide to see the full effects.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Cleaning a Synthetic Fiber Carpet with Carpet Shampoo

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Dampen a sponge with cool water and gently blot the stain several times.^{[5]
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2
Make and apply a diluted carpet shampoo solution. To make your carpet shampoo solution, mix 1 part liquid carpet shampoo with 4 parts water. Apply the solution to the stain with a brush or a towel.^{[6]
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- Again, remember to do a quick patch test to ensure the solution won’t damage your rug.
3
Vacuum. Allow the area to dry completely, then vacuum to remove the stain. If the stain persists, repeat steps 1-3.^{[7]
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- If you cannot remove the stain, consider calling a carpet cleaning company.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Cleaning a Natural Fiber Carpet with Detergent

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Combine 1 tsp (4.9 mL) translucent liquid dishwashing detergent with one cup of lukewarm water. Spray the solution on the stain with spray bottle and blot with a white paper towel or cloth.
2
Follow up with ammonia solution. Combine one tablespoon of clear, white ammonia with 4 fl oz (120 mL) of lukewarm water. Spray the solution on the stain and blot with a white paper towel or cloth.
- Before starting, make sure that the room is well ventilated, so that you don't breathe in too much ammonia.
Make a vinegar solution by combining 2 fl oz (59 mL) of white vinegar with 2 fl oz (59 mL) of water. Spray the solution on the stain and blot with a dry, white paper towel or cloth.
Spray the solution on the stain and blot with a dry, white paper towel or cloth.
Spray lukewarm water on the stain and blot with a dry, white paper towel or cloth.
Continue steps 1-4 until the stain has disappeared.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What is the best way to clean my white carpet?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Regular cleaning is essential to maintain a white carpet. Weekly vacuuming and prompt spot cleaning of stains is very important. You can check out the WikiHow "How to Clean Your Carpets" for a more detailed explanation of carpet cleaning.

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Tips

To avoid mess in the first place, ask family members and guests to eat their chocolate over a plate. Always keep napkins handy when eating chocolate.

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If you have a carpet-cleaning machine, try it either after scraping off the excess or trying some of the methods above. Soaking the spot with a mixture of detergent and water and scrubbing it with a rag (or the cleaner nozzle) will help dissolve the overly greasy chocolate spot so it can be sucked away. If you dislodge a lot of chocolate, suck it away with the carpet cleaner before proceeding with more solution so you don't spread the mess. Cool or lukewarm soapy water is safest. Spot test first, if you haven't used a similar cleaning method on the carpet before.

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Warnings

Wear protective clothing when cleaning.

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Take care with carpet cleaning products. There are many good carpet cleaning products on the market, but they're not stain specific and may include ingredients which are not applicable to your stain and could do more harm than good. If you do intend to use them, read the instructions and ingredients with great care. If you are unsure, consult a professional.

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