Step1
Sofas · Food stains
Chocolate on the sofa: how to get it out
Chocolate is grease plus a brown stain. Scrape it, check the sofa's cleaning code, and use as little liquid as you can.
Quick answer
- !Find the cleaning code before any liquid touches it.
- 1Scrape off the excess
- 2Treat the grease (S or W-S codes)
- 3Lift the brown mark (W or W-S codes)
- 4Rinse lightly and dry fast
Match your situation
| Your situation | Try this |
|---|---|
| Code W | Water-based cleaners only, with a damp (not dripping) cloth. Skip step 2. [1] |
| Code S | Water-free solvents only. Do step 2, not steps 3 and 4. [1] |
| Code W-S or S-W | Both are fine. Follow every step. [1] |
| Code X | Vacuum or brush only. Plumbs says stains need a dry cleaner or specialist. [1] |
| Velvet | Lift solid chocolate with a butter knife, then a dedicated velvet cleaner. [2] |
| Leather | A dedicated leather cleaner, following the pack. [2] Dr. Beckmann recommends a specialist professional cleaner for leather and suede. [5] |
| Suede | A suede-friendly stain remover, tested first, with as little water as possible. [2] |
First, find the cleaning code
Sofas carry a cleaning code on a label, like clothes. Plumbs says it's usually on the seat cushions, tucked down the sides, or on the platform underneath them. If the label has been cut off, check the maker's website. [1]
- W: water-based cleaners only, such as washing-up liquid or upholstery shampoo. [1]
- S: water-free solvents only. [1]
- W-S (or S-W): both. Don't soak the fabric. [1]
- X: vacuum or brush only. Take stains to a specialist. [1]
Zipped cushion covers
Plumbs advises against taking zipped covers off to clean them, because they can shrink or tear if cleaned separately. [1]
What you need
Shop links go to Amazon UK search results. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes what a guide recommends.
- Dry-cleaning solvent (spot remover)For the grease, on S and W-S fabrics only. [3]
Step 2 Find on Amazon: Dry-cleaning solvent (spot remover) (Amazon UK search, opens in a new tab) - Mild washing-up liquid1 teaspoon in a cup of lukewarm water, for W and W-S fabrics. [3]
Step 3 Find on Amazon: Mild washing-up liquid (Amazon UK search, opens in a new tab) - Carpet and upholstery spraySuch as Vanish Oxi Action Carpet & Upholstery, on fabric sofas. [2]
Step 3 Find on Amazon: Carpet and upholstery spray (Amazon UK search, opens in a new tab)
Step2
Treat the grease
S and W-S codesChocolate is a combination stain, so University of Georgia Extension treats the greasy part first: [3]
- Dampen a clean white cloth with a dry-cleaning solvent (spot remover).
- Press it on the stain, then lift.
- If chocolate transfers, move to a clean part of the cloth and blot again. Keep going as long as the stain is coming off.
Ventilate
Solvents need good ventilation and no naked flames nearby. Don't overwet the fabric: solvents can damage foam padding. [3]
Step3
Lift the brown mark
W and W-S codes- 1 tsp mild detergent
- 1 cup lukewarm water
University of Georgia Extension: [3]
- Mix 1 teaspoon of mild detergent (one with no alkalis or bleach) into a cup of lukewarm water.
- Dip a clean cloth in the solution and blot the stain.
- If it's still there, spray lightly with a laundry pre-wash product, cover with a slightly damp pad for 10 to 15 minutes, then go to step 4.
Or with an upholstery spray on a fabric sofa (Vanish UK): [2]
- Spray the stain, leave it for a few minutes.
- Wipe clean with a slightly damp cloth.
Step4