Grass stains are known for being stubborn, but understanding the science behind them is the key to getting rid of them. Whether it’s on your clothes, picnic blankets, or canvas/leather sneakers, dealing with grass stains is almost unavoidable during outdoor activities. Despite their challenging nature, knowing the science of grass stains and the right removal techniques can make the process much easier.
Most grass stains can be effectively removed by regular laundering, using a stain pretreatment product along with your laundry detergent. However, there are instances where a more thorough stain removal process is necessary, and we’ll guide you through it.
General tips for removing grass stains
- Act Quickly: It’s always best to treat grass stains as soon as possible. The longer a stain sits untreated, the more difficult it becomes to remove.
- Pretreatment: If you can’t do a full load of laundry immediately, apply a laundry pretreatment product to grass-stained items before putting them in the hamper. For small stains on garments that allow it, applying a small amount of liquid laundry detergent or dish soap, massaging it into the stain, and rinsing with cool water may eliminate the stain without a full laundry cycle.
- Fabric Consideration: The instructions provided are for machine-washable fabrics like cotton, denim, linen, nylon, polyester, and spandex. If the care tag mentions rayon, silk, triacetate, or wool, these items usually need to be hand-washed or dry cleaned.
What to Avoid:
- Delay in Treatment: Avoid letting grass stains linger on fabric without treatment, as this can make them more difficult to remove.
- Chlorine Bleach: Grass stains are protein stains and should be treated with an enzymatic stain remover. Avoid using chlorine bleach, as it can react chemically, making protein stains more challenging to remove.
- Heat Setting Stains: Check the garment after washing to ensure the stain is completely gone. Do not put a still-stained item in the dryer, as heat can set the stain, making it harder or impossible to remove.
How to Get Rid of Grass Stains from Clothes
Getting grass stains out of clothing is a straightforward process involving a few key steps. Here’s what you’ll need and how to do it:
What You’ll Need:
- Enzymatic stain treatment product
- Laundry detergent
- Laundry brush (optional)
Step-by-Step Guide:
Step 1: Shake or Brush Away Solid Debris
Before treating the stain, remove loose dirt, grass clumps, or dried mud by shaking the item or using your hands or a laundry brush. For larger items like picnic blankets, give them a good shake to loosen stuck-on grass or soil.
Step 2: Apply Enzymatic Stain Treatment
For machine-washable items stained with grass (a protein stain), use an enzymatic formula like Krud Kutter Sports Stain Remover or Zout. Apply it directly to the stain.
Step 3: Optional – Scrub with Laundry Brush
Grass stains can be stubborn, so consider using a laundry brush to gently work the enzymatic stain remover into the stain before laundering. This helps penetrate and break down the stain.
Step 4: Launder as Usual
Check the care tag for specific instructions regarding water temperature and cycle speed. If the item can tolerate warm or hot water or a heavy-duty cycle, adjust accordingly.
Step 5: Check Stain Before Drying
After laundering, check if the stain is fully gone. If any staining persists, avoid putting the item in the dryer, as heat can set the stain.
Step 6: Repeat if Necessary
If the grass stain is only partially removed, repeat the process of applying enzymatic stain treatment and laundering. Sometimes it takes two passes to fully eliminate a stubborn stain. If the stain remains unchanged, follow additional instructions for treating set-in grass stains.
How to Get Rid of Stubborn Grass Stains
Dealing with deeply set-in grass stains requires specific methods, and here are two effective approaches:
Method 1: Using a Laundry Bar
What You’ll Need:
- A laundry brush (optional)
- Laundry detergent
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Prep the Stained Item: Before treating the grass stain, shake off or brush away loose dirt, clumps of grass, or dried mud using your hands or a laundry brush.
- Apply the Laundry Bar: Wet the laundry bar and rub it directly onto the stain. If necessary, use a laundry brush to gently work the bar into the stain.
- Rinse or Launder: For machine-washable items, launder them as usual, ensuring the stain is fully eliminated before putting the item in the dryer. If the item can’t go in the washing machine, rinse the laundry bar thoroughly and let the item air dry.
Method 2: Soaking Method for Removing Set-in Grass Stains
What You’ll Need:
- Oxygen bleach
- A wash basin (optional)
- Laundry detergent
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Choose a Soaking Location: Find a place large enough to hold water and the item, such as a kitchen or bathroom sink, utility sink, bathtub, bucket, or wash basin. Alternatively, if your top-loading washing machine allows it, you can soak the item in the washer’s basin.
- Fill with Hot Water: Fill the basin halfway to two-thirds full with hot water, leaving enough space to fully submerge the item without water spilling over.
- Add Oxygen Bleach: Dissolve oxygen bleach in hot water, following package instructions for the appropriate amount. If the item can’t tolerate hot water, allow the solution to cool before adding the item.
- Submerge and Soak: Place the item in the oxygen bleach solution, fully submerging it. Agitate the item with your hands to help the solution penetrate its fibers. Let it soak for an hour up to overnight, then launder as usual.
