How to remove a cocoa stain:
Tricky classics from the kitchen and kids' sweatshirts

A story from life

"I was making cocoa for the little one. He spilled some on his sleeve, so I just rinsed it off. After washing, the stain didn't go away - quite the opposite! He got greedy and it stayed. Then I tried my grandmother's trick: lemon, soda, EcoHaus paper - and not a trace of the stain."

- Jana, EcoHaus customer

Why cocoa leaves hard stains

Cocoa contains:

natural pigment (theobromine)
cocoa butterfat
sugar and often milk (in the case of a drink)

In addition, it oxidises and darkens quickly. A fresh stain looks like a smudge, but after drying and washing it turns into a grey stain that will remain "fixed" if not removed properly.

How to treat a cocoa stain step by step

What helps:

Cold water
Baking soda
Citric acid or lemon juice
White vinegar 10%
EcoHaus Washing Papers
Sodium percarbonate - ideal for light-coloured clothes

Procedure:

Wipe off any cocoa residue with a spoon or by blotting dry - do not rub into the fabric.
Rinse with cold water on the reverse side to get the pigment out.
Apply a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice or citric acid solution.
Why it works: Soda absorbs fat and sugar, lemon helps break down pigment.
Leave on for 10-15 minutes, gently blot.
Wash with EcoHaus wash cloths at 30-40°C.
For white/light wash, add sodium percarbonate.
Why it works: Active oxygen will finish the cocoa shade and brighten the fabric.

What to watch out for

Do not use hot water when pre-treating. The fat and sugar will bake in.
Don't wait. Cocoa likes to settle and darken.
Don't wash it without first treating it. The stain can "set".

➙ Tip from Grandma Petra

For cocoa, it always worked to soak in cold lemon water, then add baking soda, wash, wait a while and wash. And put white t-shirts to dry in the sun - it works as a natural brightener.

➙ Tip from Vlaďka - the cleaning lady

Dried cocoa? Vinegar and baking soda directly on the fabric, leave it for a while. Then wash paper and a programme for coloured clothes. For white, add percarbonate and the stain will disappear.

Looking for another stain?

At Spotters you'll also find tips on chocolate, oil, butter, tomatoes, snacks and sauces. And if you need quick advice, click on Vlaďka in the bottom right corner - she knows what to do.

Share your trick

Email us at marketing@ecohaus.cz or post a comment below the article. We'll post the tried-and-true tips to inspire others who are currently staring at the cocoa lunch stain at home.

Summary

Cocoa stain can be stubborn, but with the power of nature, it can be tamed. All it takes is a little soda, some acid and the right paper - and instead of a stain, it's pure joy again.