How to Remove Ice Cream Stains: Tips and Guidelines

A young lady licking a chocolate ice cream while holding another. — Who doesn't love ice cream? But that doesn't mean we want it all over our clothes or furniture. Carol Yepes / Getty Images

Ice cream has a short shelf life at room temperature. So don't freeze up when spills happen. Here are some helpful strategies for ice cream stain removal from any surface or material.

Remove Ice Cream Stains From:

Acetate, Burlap, Carpet/Synthetic, Carpet/Wool, Fiberglass, Rayon, Rope, Silk, Triacetate, Wool/nonwashable

Scrape (the method of using a scraping tool to gently lift off excess solid or caked-on stains) to remove any excess immediately. Sponge (the method of using light strokes with a dampened pad working outward from the center of the stain) the area with a dry-cleaning solvent such as Afta Cleaning Fluid. Apply a dry spotter to the stain and cover with an absorbent pad moistened with dry spotter. Let it stand as long as any stain is being removed. Change the pad as it picks up the stain. Keep the pad and stain moist with dry spotter. Flush (the method of applying stain remover to loosen staining materials and residue from stain removers) with one of the dry-cleaning solvents. If any stain remains, use an enzyme presoak (follow directions on label; caution, some enzyme presoaks are not designed for use on wool or silk). Cover with a clean pad that has been dipped in the solution and wrung almost dry. Let it stand for 30 minutes. Add enough solution to keep the area warm and moist, but do not allow the wet area to spread. When no more stain is being lifted, flush the area with water and allow to dry.

Remove Ice Cream Stains From:

Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, Spandex, Wool/washable

Immediately scrape to remove any excess ice cream. Sponge the area with a dry-cleaning solvent, K2r Spot Lifter or Afta Cleaning Fluid. Then apply dry spotter and cover with an absorbent pad moisted with dry spotter. Let it stand as long as any stain is being removed. Change the pad as it picks up the stain and keep the stain and pad moist with dry spotter. Flush with one of the liquid dry-cleaning solvents. If any stain remains, apply a few drops of liquid dishwashing or laundry detergent and a few drops of ammonia to the area. Tamp (the method of bringing a brush down with light strokes on stained durable fabrics and materials) or scrape to loosen the stain. Keep the stain moist with detergent and ammonia solution. Blot occasionally with an absorbent pad. Flush well with water to remove all ammonia and allow to dry.

Remove Ice Cream Stains From:

Acrylic Plastic, Aluminum, Asphalt Bamboo, Brass, Bronze, Cane, Ceramic, Glass/Tile, Copper, Cork, Enamel, Glass, Gold, lron, Ivory, Linoleum, Paint/Flat, Paint/Gloss, Pewter, Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Porcelain Dishes, Porcelain Fixtures, Stainless Steel, Tin, Vinyl Clothing, Vinyl Tile, Vinyl Wallcovering, Zinc

Wipe up any excess ice cream immediately. Wipe the surface with a cloth or sponge dipped in warm sudsy water. Rinse well and wipe dry with a clean cloth.

Remove Ice Cream Stains From:

Alabaster, Marble

Wipe up any excess spill. Mix a few drops of ammonia with 1 cup rubbing alcohol. Soak a white blotter (about the size of the stain) in the solution and place it over the area. Weight it down with a piece of glass or other heavy object. Continue applying the solution until the grease is drawn out and any remaining stain has been bleached out. If any stain persists, make a poultice from bleach, water, and powdered detergent. Apply it to the stain. Cover with a damp cloth to retard evaporation. Remove when the stain has been bleached out.

Remove Ice Cream Stains From:

Bluestone, Brick, Concrete, Flagstone, Granite, Limestone, Masonry Tile, Sandstone, Slate, Terrazzo

Wipe up any excess material. Wash the stained area with a solution of washing soda or detergent (never soap) and water. Use a soft-bristled brush or cloth to help scrub. Rinse the area thoroughly with clear water and allow to dry.

Learn more tips about cleaning ice cream stains from fur, wood, wallpaper and other surfaces in the next section.

How To Make Wet & Dry Spotters

Dry spotter:

To make a dry spotter, combine 1 part coconut oil (available at pharmacies and health food stores) and 8 parts liquid dry-cleaning solvent. This solution may be stored if the container is tightly capped to prevent evaporation of the solvent. Mineral oil may be substituted for the coconut oil, but is not quite as effective.

Caution: Dry-cleaning solvents are poisonous and may be flammable.

Wet spotter:

To prepare a wet spotter, mix 1 part glycerine, 1 part white dishwashing detergent, and 8 parts water. Shake well before each use. Store wet spotter in a plastic squeeze bottle.

More Tips on Removing Ice Cream Stains

Ice cream stains won't ruin your fur, wood, and other materials and surfaces if you use more of these helpful cleanup tips.

Remove Ice Cream Stains From:

Fur/Natural, Fur/Synthetic

Wipe up any excess spill. Then wipe the surface with a cloth dipped in the suds of a mild detergent and water. Wipe again with a clean dry cloth. If a grease stain persists, powder the area with an absorbent, such as cornmeal, allowing plenty of time for it to work. Gently brush out the powder and sponge the area with a damp cloth. Allow the fur to air dry.

Remove Ice Cream Stains From:

Grout

Wipe up any excess spill with a cloth dipped in warm sudsy water. If any stain remains, dip a wet toothbrush into a little powdered cleanser or baking soda and gently scrub the stain. Rinse well with water and wipe dry with a clean cloth.

Remove Ice Cream Stains From:

Leather

Gently scrape any excess ice cream from the leather. Mix a solution of mild soap in lukewarm water. Swish to create a great volume of suds. Apply only the foam with a sponge. Wipe with a clean dry cloth. If a grease stain remains, powder the area with an absorbent, such as cornmeal. Give it plenty of time to work. Gently brush the stain off the leather. If after trying the cornmeal absorbent any trace still remains, try a leather cleaner, Tannery Vintage Leather Cleaner & Conditioner. Rub it in with a clean soft cloth and allow to dry. After either method, condition the leather with Tannery Vintage Leather Cleaner & Conditioner or Fiebing's Saddle Soap.

Remove Ice Cream Stains From:

Silver

Remove any excess spill with a cloth. Wash as soon as possible in hot sudsy water. Rinse in hot water and dry immediately with a soft cloth to prevent tarnish.

Remove Ice Cream Stains From:

Suede

Very gently scrape to remove the excess ice cream from the suede. Wipe the stain with a cloth dipped in the suds of a mild detergent and water. Wipe with a clean dry cloth. If a grease stain remains, powder the area with an absorbent, allowing plenty of time for it to work. Gently brush the absorbent off.

Remove Ice Cream Stains From:

Wallpaper

Carefully remove the excess spill. With a cloth or sponge moistened with cool clear water, wipe the stained area. Overlap strokes to prevent streaking. Gently pat the area dry with an absorbent pad.

Remove Ice Cream Stains From:

Wood

Wipe up any excess. 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 stain. Rinse with a clean cloth moistened with clear water. Polish or wax as soon as possible.

When you scream for ice cream, make sure it's not because it's dripping all over your clothes. But if you are that unlucky, use these tips for quick and easy cleanup from any surface or material.