How To Get Chocolate Ice Cream Out Of Clothes

Sometimes you crave some delicious chocolate ice cream, but unfortunately, so can your clothes.

That solid treat can quickly turn liquid and create a mess on you and your clothing.

This liquid mess can be particularly tragic if you are wearing light-colored clothing, as this will be a stain that can be very aggressive and difficult to remove.

If you find yourself in this situation, don’t fret.

We have been there and done some research to find the best ways to remove chocolate ice cream from your clothes quickly and efficiently.

Follow the steps below to learn how to get chocolate ice cream out of clothes. 

What You’ll Need

The above items are what you will need to get chocolate ice cream stains out of your clothing.

Continue reading for step-by-step instructions showing you the process of how to get chocolate ice cream out of clothes.

1. Remove Excess Chocolate Ice Cream

Using a spoon or butter knife, remove as much of the chocolate ice cream as possible off of the clothing item.

This process is easier when the chocolate ice cream is melted and not frozen onto the clothing.

2. Flip Clothing Inside Out

Flip the clothing inside out.

Doing this will help remove the stain from the inside out and not bring the stain through the fabric but instead push it out.

While doing this, place a clean cloth under the stain to not transfer the chocolate ice cream to a clean part of your clothing. 

3. Apply Cleaning Solution On Stain

Create a solution of liquid dish soap and lukewarm water.

Place some of it on the chocolate ice cream stain.

Be sure that the water is only lukewarm and no warmer.

Too much heat can cause the stain to set in further.

Doing this will help in removing the stain. 

4. Use Borax And Hot Water

If you notice that the chocolate ice cream is still on the clothing, you can use a solution of borax and hot water.

This combination will help to remove more stubborn chocolate ice cream stains.

Be careful with the hot water as warmer water can cause stains to set.

So be vigilant in mixing the borax in the water to penetrate your clothing. 

Once all of the chocolate ice cream stains have been removed from the clothing, you can send it through the washer and dryer.

Be sure not to do this unless the stain is entirely gone.

Putting stained clothing through the dryer will only set the stain into the clothing. 

Video Instructions

  • Step 1 (:32) — Remove excess
  • Step 2 (:52) – Flip clothing inside out
  • Step 3 (1:06) – Apply the cleaning solution to the stain
  • Step 4 (1:30) – Use borax and hot water

FAQ

How Do I Remove An Old Chocolate Ice Cream Stain?

You can still get the chocolate ice cream stain out if you didn’t quite catch a chocolate ice cream stain when it is fresh.

You will want to soak the clothing in cold water for a few hours.

You can add some stain remover or laundry detergent in the water if you like.

Then you can apply the steps from above and wash in the washer and dryer. 

What Should I Avoid Doing When Cleaning Chocolate Ice Cream Stains?

While it may be tempting, do not soak your clothing in hot water.

The hot water will help set the chocolate ice cream stains into the clothing.

Chocolate ice cream is a protein stain from the cocoa beans from the chocolate and the dairy from the ice cream.

Hot water should not be used on protein stains. 

Since these are protein stains, if you have oxygen color-safe bleaches or detergent with enzymes, these would be safe and effective to use.

These clothing cleaning solutions are well equipped to address protein stains and keep them from setting into your clothing. 

Why Are Protein Stains Difficult To Remove?

Protein stains are typically from animal products, and they do not respond well to heat.

While it is tempting to use warm water to remove a protein stain, it will cause it to set into the clothing.

In general, the protein stains will easily set and condense into the fibers of the clothing, which can be more challenging to get out. 

What Should I Do If I’m Out Of My House And Spill Chocolate Ice Cream?

In this situation, the best thing you can do is find a bathroom and rinse with cold water.

This rinsing will remove as much of the chocolate ice cream as possible and keep it from soaking through your clothing’s fabric.

Rinsing will also help to dilute the chocolate ice cream on your clothing.

Do not be tempted to use hand dryers to dry it out, as they typically use hot air.

As with hot water, hot air will cause the chocolate ice cream to set into your clothing, making it difficult, if not impossible, to remove.

Play it safe and let it air dry. 

What Else Will Remove Chocolate Ice Cream From Clothing?

Several other household products can also help you remove chocolate ice cream stains.

You can use baking soda by mixing it with cold water or vinegar.

Create a paste and then apply it to the stain.

This paste should help to lift some of the stains.

Unfortunately, if the chocolate ice cream is particularly dark, baking soda will not handle it on its own. 

Lemon juice has properties that can help remove stains from clothing.

You can add it to your washing machine when washing the clothing, or you can soak the clothing article in a mix of lemon juice and water.

Be careful depending on your clothing’s fabric type, as lemon juice’s acidic nature can be harmful to some materials. 

Toothpaste can even be used to remove stains if you want to give that a try on a small chocolate ice cream stain.

It should help to lift the stain from the clothing.

This method will not be a method you should use on a more significant stain on clothing as that would be a lot of toothpaste.