Summer and ice cream cones go hand in hand. But if you’ve ever given a kid an ice cream cone on a hot day, you’ve certainly seen the mess that can be made. Whether you are home or out and about, the faster you start working on the stain, the better!
Remove any extra ice cream from the clothing with a spoon or a dull knife. You can also use damp paper towel, but remember to blot not rub!
Run clean, cold water through the back of the fabric, to push the stain out of the fibers. Use a clean rag and a DIY dish soap solution to wash out as much of the stain as possible. To make the solution, mix 1 tbsp. dish soap & 10 oz water in a spray bottle. Follow the directions on your favorite stain remover to pretreat the stain before washing. Wash the item of clothing using your favorite laundry detergent. Check to see if the stain has been removed. If it has not, repeat the above steps until the stain has been removed completely before tossing the clothing into the dryer.
Look for old stains and soak the clothing in cold water with the stain remover for a few hours. If you need a little extra time to enjoy summer with the family, consider hiring Molly Maid to help tackle the house cleaning so you can get back to having fun.
In 1984, entrepreneur David McKinnon brought Molly Maid from Canada to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to give busy American homeowners a reliable, professional, affordable solution to messy, dirty houses. Residents of the competitive university town took advantage of the new home cleaning service, which quickly expanded to communities in other states. Today, there are more than 450 individually owned Molly Maid cleaning service franchises operating across the United States.
Following directions on the label, dampen stain with a commercial pre-wash spot and stain remover. Rub heavy-duty liquid detergent on the stain. Pre-treat by soaking or pre-washing in warm water using a laundry detergent containing enzymes. If oil stain remains, treat with a commercial cleaner or waterless hand cleaner. Rinse. Apply heavy-duty detergent to stain. Look for products containing petroleum distillates or hydrocarbon such as trichloroethane, xylene, methylenechloride, methane, benzene and/or naphtha. Always read your care label before trying any stain removal method. Be sure to store and dispose of products/cans/containers as recommended.
Dampen a clean white cloth with a commercial dry-cleaning solvent. Apply the solvent-damp cloth on the stain and stand on the cloth for a moment or so to put the chemical into firm contact with the stain. This will allow the vapors of the solvent to dissolve the spot. (Do not apply the solvent directly on the carpet as it can dissolve the carpet backing.) Remove the cloth. If any of the stain has transferred to it, place another side of the cloth on the spot and blot again by hand. If any stain remains, dry spray it with a commercial multi-purpose cleaner or laundry prewash. Sponge with clear water to rinse. Look for products containing petroleum distillates or hydrocarbon such as trichloroethane, xylene methylenechloride, methane, benzene and/or naphtha. When using caustic, toxic, aromatic or flammable cleaning solutions, be certain to provide for adequate ventilation. Do not have an open flame near flammable cleaning solutions. Be sure to store and dispose of products/cans/containers as recommended.
Spray or sponge out excess soil. Wash with a solution of Washing (soda) or detergent and water. Never use soap. Scrub surface using a gentle brush or cloth. Sponge or carefully scrape up excess soil, using a dull spoon or the edge of a plastic credit card. Wipe with a clean cloth dipped in a solution of Washing (soda) or detergent and water. If any stain remains, mix a few drops of ammonia with 1 cup of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide. Make a blotter from an absorbent cloth or paper towels. Soak the blotter with the solution and place over the stain. Weight the blotter down with a heavy object. When using caustic, toxic, aromatic or flammable cleaning solutions, be certain to provide for adequate ventilation. Do not have an open flame near flammable cleaning solutions. Be sure to store and dispose of products/cans/containers as recommended.
Mix dishwashing detergent in hot water and swish to make a great volume of suds. Dip a cloth in only the foam and apply to the stained area. Rinse with a clean cloth dampened with clear water. Never let water or moisture stand on the surface of wood. Sponge or gently scrape to remove excess spill or stain. Wipe the stained surface with a cloth dipped in warm sudsy water. Sponge or gently scrape to remove excess spill or stain. Wipe the stained surface with a cloth dipped in warm sudsy water. Sponge or carefully scrape up excess soil, using a dull spoon or the edge of a plastic credit card. Wipe with a clean cloth dipped in a solution of detergent and water. If any stain remains, mix a few drops of ammonia with 1 cup of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide. Make a blotter from absorbent cloth or paper towels. Soak the blotter with the solution and place over the stain. Weight the blotter down with a heavy object. Be sure to store and dispose of products/cans/containers as recommended. Mix dishwashing detergent in hot water and swish to make a great volume of suds. Dip a cloth in only the foam and apply to the stained area. Rinse with a clean cloth dampened with clear water. Never let water or moisture stand on the surface of wood. Blot or scrape up as much of the excess as possible without driving the stain further into the fibers. Chocolate is a combination stain. Treat the greasy stain first. Dampen a clean white cloth with a commercial dry-cleaning solvent. Apply the solvent damp cloth to the stain. Remove the cloth. If any of the stain has transferred to it, place another side of the cloth on the stain and blot again. If stain remains, mix 1 teaspoon of a neutral detergent with a cup of lukewarm water. Dip a clean absorbent cloth into the solutions and blot the stain. Spray the stain lightly with a laundry pre-soak product. Cover the stain with an absorbent pad slightly dampened with the pre-soak solution. Let it remain for 10-15 minutes. Sponge with clear water. Look for products containing petroleum distillates or hydrocarbon such as trichloroethane, xylene methylenechloride, methane, benzene and/or naphtha. When using caustic, toxic, aromatic or flammable cleaning solutions, be certain to provide for adequate ventilation. Do not have an open flame near flammable cleaning solutions. When using solvent-based cleaners on carpet or upholstery, be careful not to overwet the carpet or the fabric. Sponge or gently scrape to remove excess spill or stain. Wipe the stained surface with a cloth dipped in warm sudsy water. Mix dishwashing detergent in hot water and swish to make a great volume of suds. Dip a cloth in only the foam and apply to the stained area. Rinse with a clean cloth dampened with clear water. Never let water or moisture stand on the surface of wood. Blot or scrape up as much of the excess as possible without driving the stain further into the fibers. Chocolate can be rich and tasty. Chocolate stains? Not so much. Yes, chocolate certainly stains, and it can prove difficult to get out of different fabrics and laundry items. Cocoa butter, also called Theobroma oil, is a fat that becomes edible when melted. The combination of oil content and often darker complexion can make chocolate difficult to remove, especially because oily stains tend to dry into clothes. Even white chocolate may stain your clothes and other laundry items, as it also contains cocoa butter. Milk Chocolate vs. Not all chocolate stains are made equal. For example, dark chocolate stains may be harder to remove than milk chocolate stains. That’s because dark chocolate typically contains a higher content of cocoa butter and tannins. There are several different types of enzymes present in a high-quality detergent, each of which works to break down and remove a specific type of stain, from grass to chocolate pudding.
For treating tough stains, look for a cleaning product containing enzymes. Enzymes are a key component in laundry detergents that help break down stains, dirt and soils into smaller pieces making them easier to remove from deep within the fabrics. For ice cream stains, soak your garment for at least 30 minutes in an enzyme presoak - longer if the stains are old. When chocolate stains strike, gently scrape off any excess chocolate and, if possible, immediately rinse under cold, running water. Once you get home, pretreat it with a prewash stain remover or enzyme-powered detergent and launder in the warmest water that’s safe for the fabric.
Chocolate can be tough, but many stains do come out with prompt treatment and proper steps. Remember to act quickly, especially on fresh stains, to maximize the chances of complete removal.
