How to remove Grass Stains from clothes? (Easy Way)

Apply a small amount of liquid dishwashing soap or a fabric stain remover over the stains and spread it evenly using your fingers. Leave it to settle for about 10 minutes and start rubbing the area using a toothbrush by applying a few drops of water. Finally, rinse the garment thoroughly with clean and warm water and wash it the usual way.

You can also try soaking the stained garment in a solution of warm water and oxygen bleach for 30 minutes before washing.

The Science of Grass Stains

Grass stains emerge as chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants, meets fabric fibers.

Chlorophyll plays a key role in photosynthesis, where plants turn sunlight into energy.

When grass or chlorophyll-rich plants brush clothing, their molecules cling to fabric fibers.

Due to chlorophyll’s chemical makeup, this attachment is robust, making grass stains known for their challenge in removal.

Do grass stains come out of clothes?

A stain pretreatment solution (stain removers, rubbing alcohol, or vinegar) combined with laundry detergent can easily remove most grass stains.

The quicker you treat the stains, the easier it is to get rid of them.

In other words, grass stains are not permanent, so you should be able to remove them.

With that said, don’t try too hard to remove the stains if they don’t fade completely, as you could damage the fabric.

It may take a couple of washes at max to get rid of the stains completely.

What is the best grass stain remover?

Baking soda, distilled white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, dishwashing liquid, fabric stain removers, and regular detergents are considered to be the best when it comes to treating stubborn stains.

However, the type of fabric and the nature of the stain is important to consider before using any of the above-mentioned solutions.

Tip: If you’re unsure about the type of solution to use, use vinegar. Just pour some water mixed with vinegar on the stained areas and work on the stains using a soft brush or microfiber cloth before rinsing in cold water.

How to remove grass stains from clothes?

You can use the below-mentioned solutions for spot cleaning, and once you pre-treat the grass stains using any of the below methods, simply put them in for washing the regular way.

Let’s look into the washing procedure in a step-by-step manner.

A word of caution: Be sure to test these on an inconspicuous area of the garment first, to ensure they won’t damage the fabric. Also, you can refer to the care label of your clothing for a better understanding.

Step 1: Pre-treating Stains

Since grass stains are adamant, the regular wash may not be able to get rid of the stains.

Before the final wash, it’s important to thoroughly pre-wash or pre-treat the stains.

Here are a few ways to pre-treat the grass stains on your clothes.

Pre-wash using a stain remover

As a first step, you should try treating the stain with a pre-wash stain remover and then wash the clothes in cold water using a laundry detergent that contains enzymes.

OxiClean Stain Remover

The other way to pre-wash the grass stain is to use an Oxiclean remover.

You can soak the stained garment in a solution of 4 parts warm water and 1 part Oxiclean for 30 minutes before washing.

If you’re still struggling to get rid of the grass stain after trying a few methods, you may need to resort to using bleach.

Be sure to use non-chlorinated bleach that is safe for the fabric and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent that can help to remove tough stains.

It is worth trying out to treat grass stains.

To use hydrogen peroxide on a grass stain, apply it directly to the stain and allow it to sit for a few minutes before washing the clothing as usual.

You may need to repeat this process a few times for tough stains, but it should eventually eliminate the grass stain from the fabric.

Additionally, using a small amount of liquid dishwashing soap along with hydrogen peroxide will also do the trick.

White Tooth Paste

White toothpaste is said to be quite effective in removing grass stains.

You must be familiar with this DIY hack that helps to clean the edges and outer soles of your shoes using toothpaste (if not, just google it and you will see how popular this hack is).

Just use a toothbrush and apply toothpaste over the stained area and start rubbing it gently for a while.

Leave it to settle for another 10 minutes before you rinse and put the item in the washer.

White Vinegar or lemon juice

White vinegar or lemon juice is another popular method of removing grass stains.

To remove grass stains, dampen a cloth with either liquid and dab at the stain until it starts to disappear.

Repeat the step if necessary, or simply put your garment in the washer.

Rubbing alcohol or hairspray

Rubbing alcohol effectively combats organic stains through their chemical properties.

You should be able to get rid of or loosen the stains by applying either of these solutions directly to the stain and then rubbing it in with a cloth.

So, once you have applied the rubbing alcohol, rub the affected areas. Then, leave it to settle for about 10 minutes, and then apply regular detergent to scrub the area.

Liquid Dish Soap or Stain Remover

Liquid dish soap and fabric stain removers often comprise surfactants, aiding stain breakdown.

These compounds weaken the bond between chlorophyll and fabric fibers, facilitating stain removal.

Step 2: Wash the Clothes (hand wash or machine wash)

Once you have pre-treated the grass stains, you can wash them as usual, i.e., either hand-wash or machine-wash your laundry items.

Hand Wash

• Fill the bucket with enough water to soak the clothes before washing them.
• Then, add a mild, suitable detergent to the bucket and mix it well.
• Once the cleaning solution is ready, put your clothes in the bucket and gently swish them.
• Now, work on the clothes using your hand and try to gently scrub all the areas of your clothes.
• The clothes should be rinsed in cool water and gently wrung to remove excess water.
• Air-dry the clothes naturally.

Machine Wash

• In order to machine wash your pre-treated clothes, add some detergent to the detergent tray of your washer and put the laundry load into your washer.
• Next, set the washer to run on delicate settings and cold water wash.
• Let the washer complete the wash cycle.
• Run the spin cycle to get rid of excess water.
• Remove the clothes from the washer.
• Hang them to air-dry naturally.

Why Certain Methods Work Better?

Pre-treatment

Pre-treating grass stains is essential because the longer the stain remains untreated, the stronger the bond between chlorophyll and fabric becomes.

Early intervention with effective stain removal methods increases the chances of successful stain removal.

Surfactants and Oxidizing Agents

Methods involving surfactants and oxidizing agents work effectively because they actively disrupt the bond between chlorophyll and fabric fibers.

Surfactants break down the stain’s components, and oxidizing agents release oxygen to degrade the stain.

Acidic Solutions

Vinegar, lemon juice, and other acidic solutions work well because their pH levels can weaken the chlorophyll-fiber bond.

The acids help dissolve and break down the stain, making it easier to lift from the fabric.

Things to follow when using stain-removing solutions over your garment’s surface

• Always refer to the care label for specific wash instructions before you apply stain-removing solutions.
• If you are not sure about the application or the fabric type simply test them on an inconspicuous area of the garment first. This will ensure they won’t damage the fabric.
• You should apply the mixture or solutions to the stain using a clean cloth or sponge, working from the outside of the stain toward the center. This will prevent the stains from spreading.
• Whenever you are using harsh chemically processed stain removers or if you are not certain about the concentration of the solution you are using, wear safety gloves.
• Do not experiment with your expensive garments.
• Avoid contact with sensitive organs such as eyes, nose, mouth, and ears with any type of solution you use.
• For any confusion or if you are unsure then simply walk in into the nearest laundromat or a dry cleaning specialist to treat stubborn stains from your clothing.

Also Read: Laundromat Or Home Laundry? (Which is cheaper)

Final Thoughts

Grass stains can attract your clothing when rubbed against outfield grass or plants.

It just happens when the green pigment in plants, called chlorophyll, comes into contact with the fabric.

Grass stains are the most stubborn stains. Therefore, it becomes important to treat them as soon as they appear on your clothes.

It is easier to remove the grass stains from your clothing if you treat them with the right method as soon as possible.

With that said, if you want to treat expensive clothes or use a stain-removing solution, you should always check the care label first.

Frequently Asked Questions