I Found 3 Ways to Get Sticky Candy Out of Clothes (They’re So Effective!)

I can’t say with confidence that it’s a reflection of my parenting, but my kids tend to forget about the candy they got on Halloween within a few days. The upside? No sugar crashes, and I get to sneak a few pieces for myself. The downside? Sometimes those forgotten candies get left in pockets and go through the washer and dryer, creating a sticky residue stuck on their clothes. So I sought out how to get sticky residue off clothes from their left-behind candy.

After a few laundry disasters, I tested different methods for getting melted candy out of clothes after you’ve already washed and dried your clothing. Here are the three tricks that actually worked.

For sticky candy like lollipops, taffy, or Jolly Ranchers, freezing is surprisingly effective. If you have the freezer space, stash the candy-covered item in there for a few hours. Once frozen, the candy becomes brittle and easier to break off. If you don’t have room for a full garment, Clorox suggests rubbing an ice cube directly on the sticky area. It may make the fabric damp.

This trick came to me after trying (and failing) the ice cube method to remove gum from my kid’s hair — but on clothes, it works! Just keep in mind that you might still need to treat the stain afterward. Don’t let the fabric sit too long in the freezer, though, or the stain could set further.

Because sugar is water soluble, soaking helps loosen the candy so it can dissolve. Start with cold water to avoid spreading dye, then move to warm water to help break down the sugar. Do this step by hand to keep the fabric from agitating too much in the washer, which can make the mess worse. Add just enough gentle laundry detergent to cover the sticky spot and help lift the residue before you move on to stain treating.

Dawn dish soap is my go-to for sticky, food-based stains and it works wonders here, too. Since it’s formulated to break down grease and food, it can cut through candy residue on fabric just as easily. Apply enough to directly cover the stain and gently work it in with a soft bristle brush. Rinse and repeat as needed, then wash the item again to remove any leftover soap.

You can also try baking soda, laundry detergent, or any other stain remover of choice, but I’ve found dish soap to be the most effective for concentrated spot treatments. 

Sometimes, a pocket full of candy is beyond saving. Once, my son left a mini candy cane in his jeans, and by the time I found it, the fabric inside the pocket was basically glued shut. I worried I’d tear the material just trying to pry it open.

At that point, I accepted defeat. My son didn’t care. What’s one pocket to a boy with three other pockets? And a few months later, he’d outgrown the pants anyway. Sometimes, the best trick for sticky clothes is simply to let them go.