How To Clean Chocolate From A Carpet

Step 1: You will need…

Step 2: Scrape up excess chocolate

Take action as soon as possible after the spillage. The longer you leave a stain the tougher it will be to remove. Remove as much chocolate as you can with a clean underrated knife. Be gentle so as not to damage the carpet fibres

Step 3: Check 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. Carpets made of natural materials such as grass, sisal or wool can be severely damaged by liquid treatments. If you are in any doubt as to your carpet's suitability contact a professional carpet cleaner.

Before applying any solution to your carpet, you should always do a patch test. Choose an out of the way area of the carpet and apply a small amount. Wait a few minutes to ensure that problems don't develop. If your carpet starts to go brown or lighter in colour, immediately rinse the solution with cold water. Do not continue and call a professional.

Step 4: Carpet Cleaning products

There are many good carpet cleaning products on the market but experts tend to be wary of using them. They're not stain specific an may include ingredients which are not applicable to your stain and could do more harm than good. If you do intend to use them, you should watch VideoJug's 'How to Use Carpet Cleaning Products.'

Otherwise, keep following these steps.

Step 5: Apply Surgical spirit

To dissolve the fat in the Chocolate use surgical spirit. Put on some rubber gloves and then apply surgical spirit to a white cloth. Lay the cloth over the stain. Handy Hint: Use a spoon to work solutions into your carpet. This will help you to avoid damage to your carpet fibres. With the spoon, massage the stain through the cloth. When the surgical spirit is thoroughly worked into the stain, remove the cloth.

Step 6: Mix a detergent solution

Now make a detergent solution by mixing a quarter of a teaspoon of a mild carpet shampoo with a litre of warm water. Remember to carry out a patch test.

Step 7: Apply the detergent solution

Apply the detergent solution to a fresh white cloth and work it into the stain using the spoon as before.

Step 8: Blot the area dry

Blot the area with some kitchen towel to remove excess liquid before applying the next solution.

Step 9: Ammonia

Before you mix your ammonia solution, make sure that the room is well ventilated so that you don't breathe in too much ammonia.

Then add one teaspoonful of household ammonia to one cup of warm water and stir.

Don't forget the patch test. If safe, soak the cloth in the solution, lay it over the stain and massage the stain through the cloth using the spoon as before. Then gently blot the area dry.

Step 10: Mix the final rinse solution

Neutralise the Ammonia by using a vinegar solution. Add one part white vinegar to 4 parts warm water. Pour the mixture into the spray bottle.

Step 11: Neutralise

After testing the mix on a small hidden area of carpet, spray the vinegar and water mixture over the stain. Carefully blot the area, removing excess liquid. The stain should now be removed. If it isn't, repeat the rinse process.

Step 12: Dry

To ensure that the stain is completely lifted and any remaining dampness is removed, stack a few pieces of kitchen towel over the stain. Cover with a heavy weight, like a book. If the weight is coloured or porous, put a plastic bag between it and the kitchen towel. This will protect the weight and prevent its dye from leaking into the carpet.

Step 13: Wait

Leave the weight on the damp patch, ideally overnight. The stain should now be complet