What is the best way to get chocolate milk out of a shirt? It’s a white cotton buttondown. I’d really like to save it if I can, but it’s a big stain.
Nikki Trimble, Dubuque, IA
Let’s see if we can rescue it. The best way to get chocolate milk out of a shirt is to use hydrogen peroxide and liquid dish soap. Combine eight tablespoons of the detergent with a cup of hydrogen peroxide, then apply it to the stain. (Or you can mix up a smaller amount by keeping the proportions the same. Eight tablespoons are half a cup, so it’s one part detergent to two parts peroxide.)
Next, allow the stain treatment to work for fifteen minutes before washing. Then use the warmest temperature water that the fabric can take. Also, before you put it in the dryer, make sure the spot is gone.
Now, if you have actual chocolate spots, not chocolate milk, the same process should work. But if you missed a stain and dried clothing with chocolate still on it, there’s another step to take.
To save clothes with set-in chocolate marks, you’ll need a water softener and laundry detergent. The full directions are in this article: https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-get-chocolate-out-of-clothes/
If you should happen to spill chocolate milk on the carpet, it’s not hard to clean. You can remove the spot with everyday items like salt, ammonia, and white vinegar. Again, the complete details are on the page I referenced above.
You can also remove chocolate from upholstery without running to the store as long as you have dish soap and cornmeal. As you can see, chocolate stains are not the end of the world. With a little work, they come right out of clothes, furniture, and rugs.
In conclusion, I hope this helped you save your shirt.
Joan
