Spandex is a popular material for Halloween costumes, providing a soft, stretchy fabric that is comfortable to wear for hours at a time. However, after indulging in sweets, it’s common for little ones to come back to the house with chocolate stains on their clothes. Consider the following tips to restore the condition of the fabric and make it appear brand new.

4 Tips for Removing Chocolate Stains From Spandex

1. Scrape Away Excess

Treating stains without removing the excess chocolate could worsen the discoloration. Take a butter knife and gently scrape it along the surface of the fabric. The dull edge won’t damage the fabric while loosening any buildup from the material.

2. Rinse With Water

Turn the clothing inside out and hold it under cold water for several minutes. While hot temperatures might seem like a better option, it could actually cause the oily substance to melt deeper into the fabric. Cold is much more effective in containing the stain and getting it out of the material.

3. Treat With Laundry Soap

If there is still a slight discoloration, rub a small amount of laundry soap into the fabric and let it sit for five minutes in the sink. Transfer the garment to a bowl of cold water and soak it for 15 minutes. Then, rub the stain between your fingers to loosen the oils. Rinse it in the sink completely to remove residue.

4. Use Stain Remover

As an extra precaution, apply stain remover to both sides of the fabric before running it through the wash. Allow the material to air dry so that you can determine that the stain is gone. Avoid putting it in the dryer as the heat might cause any residual oils to set into the material. Repeat steps as necessary.

Secure the finishing touches for your kids’ Halloween costumes by purchasing high-quality spandex from Spandex House, Inc. Located in Midtown Manhattan, this locally-owned fabric store has over 25 years of experience and stocks a vast assortment of spandex. Their experts recognize the different types of fabrics available for costume design and will offer insight to help you find the perfect match. Browse their Halloween spandex collection online and call (212) 354-6711 to place an order.