Chocolate may be your top choice for a sweet treat, but that doesn’t mean you want it pressed into the carpet. Like blood and grease, chocolate can be difficult to remove, but it’s not hopeless. Prompt action will help remove it completely, so you can enjoy your chocolate treats without worrying about the carpet. If you have dropped chocolate on your new rug, here are the steps you should follow to clean it.
Immediate Action
It takes time for chocolate to melt and really grind into the carpet. Start by picking up the solid pieces and scraping out loose bits of chocolate. This will minimize staining and help you save your rug. If the chocolate is starting to melt, use a paper towel to blot it up and get it out of the carpet. Next, flush the area with club soda to stop the chocolate from soaking in and make it easier to clean. Blot at the club soda with paper towels to remove the residue.
Ammonia and Water
Ammonia can damage wool, so you should test this in an inconspicuous spot before using. Mix a tablespoon of ammonia with a cup of water and drop a little of the solution on the stain. Blot it out with a clean towel. Rinse the area with clean water to remove the ammonia, then put a clean towel over the wet area and weigh it down. This will pull up most of the moisture along with the offending chocolate.
Rubbing Alcohol
Put rubbing alcohol on a clean cloth and lay it over the stain. The alcohol will dissolve the fats in the chocolate and help it break up. Once the cloth absorbs the chocolate, you can let the area dry and then vacuum the carpet.
A Whipped Detergent
Use a hand mixer to combine a little Dawn dish detergent with a few drops of water. Whisk the solution to form suds, and then use the suds to gently scrub at the chocolate. Once the chocolate is removed, you can rinse the area with clean water, blot the water up and allow it to dry. If the stain persists, then you can put a little dish detergent directly on a sponge and rub it into the stain. Rinse it out with lukewarm water and then dry the area.
Use the Iron
The same iron you use for pressing clothes can be your best friend when it comes to chocolate stains. Immerse a rag in your water and dish detergent cleaning solution. Wring it out and then place it over the stain. With the iron on a low setting, and taking care to never iron directly on the rug, move the iron over the cloth until you see the stain transfer to the rag. Continue using clean rags dampened with the detergent and water until the stain disappears. Take care not to let the iron sit in one spot too long to avoid damaging the rug.
The most difficult stains can be removed with the right treatment, but do you really have time to treat every stain by hand? High Quality Carpet offers affordable, reliable cleaning services, so you won’t have to spend your free time trying to get chocolate out of the carpet. If you’re tired of fighting the stains yourself, call us to have them effectively minimized and even removed.
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