How to Remove Ice Cream Stains from Clothes

There is nothing better than a big scoop of ice cream on a cone on a warm day. Or a scoop of ice cream on a piece of apple pie. Or a delicious treat on a wooden stick that most children drool about. But what happens when that ice cream starts to melt and ends up running down the front of your clothes? Luckily, there are several ways to remove ice cream stains from clothes. In this stain lab post, we'll share some effective methods to help you get rid of those pesky stains.

Method 1: Scrape Off the Excess Ice Cream

The first step in removing ice cream stains is to scrape off the excess ice cream from the clothing. You can use a spoon or a blunt knife to gently remove the ice cream. Be careful not to spread the stain further.

Method 2: Rinse With Cold Water

Next, rinse the stained area with cold water. Cold water is key here as hot water can set the stain. Hold the fabric under running water, allowing the water to flow through the back of the stain. This will help to push out the ice cream and prevent the stain from setting in. If the stain has already dried, skip the rinse & soak the stain in cold water for at least 5 minutes.

Method 3: Apply Stain Remover

If the stain remains, apply a stain remover directly to the affected area. With milk being a protein-based stain, the best way to remove it is using a stain remover that contains enzymes. Rub the stain gently with the remover and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Be sure to test the stain remover on a small, inconspicuous area of the clothing first to ensure it doesn’t cause any discoloration.

Method 4: Wash & Dry the Clothing

After applying the stain remover, wash the clothing in cold water. We recommend using a detergent that has stain fighting powers, such as Purex ® plus Oxi liquid laundry detergent. Avoid using hot water as this can cause the stain to set. After laundering the item, if there is still residual from the stain, repeat the treatment process. Do not place the item in the dryer until the stain has been removed as the dryer could cause the stain to set.

Additional Tips for Flavored Ice Cream Stains

If the ice cream has color to it, you may end up only removing the milk stain and leaving behind a slight discoloration due to the color of the ice cream. In this case, treat the stain with a color safe Oxi Additive or color safe bleach. With Oxi Additive, you can soak the item in water and the solution for 30 minutes and then launder. Make sure to separate fabrics by color when laundering so you don’t transfer bleach to the non-white clothing items.

Enjoy Ice Cream This Summer While Being Stain Free

Removing ice cream stains from clothing may seem like a daunting task, but with the right methods, it’s a straightforward process. Remember to scrape off the excess ice cream, rinse with cold water, apply a stain remover, wash in cold water with liquid detergent, and dry the clothing. By following these steps, you can easily remove ice cream stains from your clothes & keep them looking their best.

For how to remove other popular summer stains, view how to remove ketchup & mustard stains & barbecue sauce stains. For our stain fighting products & other detergents, view our scented detergents along with laundry pacs to just throw in & go.

Author: The Purex ® Stain Lab

We understand that life gets messy and want to make laundry as easy as possible for you. With quality & value continuing to be at the core of our product development, we continue to create highly effective laundry detergent & supplies. We tested some of the toughest stains to keep your clothing looking brand new. View our Stain Lab for our best recommendations to get life's toughest stains out of your clothing.