Grass is a mixture of organic matter and proteins, with its signature green color caused by chlorophyll. The green chlorophyll has a dye-like ability to bind to fabrics, staining them.
Most outdoor activities, especially during the summertime, potentially lead to people covered in grass stains at the end of the day.
Grass stains can be a headache because of their nature, but luckily there are many ways to remove them.
7 Ways to Remove Grass Stains from Clothes
Grass stains are stubborn, and the deeper the pigmentation or age, the harder it will be to remove. It will take a lot of time and effort, but the correct items will make your clothes stain-free.
Understand that the stained clothes’ fabric and the preferred stain remover will determine the stain-removing process.
Always perform a patch test on an innocuous part of the stained clothing to gauge how the clothes will react to the stain remover.
White Vinegar
Vinegar is a well-known household multi-functional item. It is a great cleaning agent, capable of removing tough stains, deodorizing, bleaching, disinfecting, and much more.
Vinegar will remove grass stains, but you should be careful not to cause additional staining or discoloration. Do not substitute white vinegar with apple cider vinegar or any other kind of vinegar because they contain coloring that can transfer to the clothes.
Procedure:
- Perform a patch test on a hidden part of the stain to see how the clothes will react to the white vinegar.
- Blot the stains with a damp paper towel to remove excess grass stains.
- Stack a pile of paper towels at the back of the stains to avoid spreading to the other side of the clothes. You can also use an absorbent cloth or cardboard.
- Pour equal parts of water and white vinegar into a bowl or spray bottle.
- Saturate the stains with the diluted vinegar and leave the treatment to soak for 30 minutes.
- Rinse the clothes with cold water.
- Wash the clothes as usual, following the clothes care label instructions.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol effectively removes grass stains from clothes because it has plenty of organic matter. However, it can discolor colored clothes or damage delicate fabrics.
Do not mix vinegar or bleach with rubbing alcohol to treat the stains, or you will end up with toxic fumes.
Procedure:
- Perform a patch test on a hidden part of the stain to see how the clothes react to the rubbing alcohol.
- Blot the stains with a damp paper towel to remove excess grass stains.
- Stack a pile of paper towels at the back of the stains in the cloth to avoid spreading to the other side.
- Soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and gently rub the stains.
- After ten minutes, rinse the clothes with cold water.
- Check if there are still stains on the clothes and repeat the process.
- Wash the clothes as usual, following the clothes care label instructions.
Bleach
Bleach works by breaking up the soil into smaller pieces that are easily removable by detergent and water, and that’s why it perfectly removes grass stains from clothes.
In most cases, the effect of bleach on clothes is that it turns the treated area white. If you want to treat colored clothes, it will be advisable to use non-chlorine bleach.
Procedure:
- Perform a patch test on a hidden part of the stain to see how the clothes react to the bleach.
- Blot the stains with a damp paper towel to remove excess grass stains.
- Pour cold water into a sizable bowl or bucket and pour the recommended amount of bleach – per the bottle’s instructions – inside.
- Soak the clothes in bleach water for an hour.
- Afterward, place the clothes in the washer and wash following the clothes care label instructions.
Liquid Detergent
Liquid detergent technology has significantly improved over the years and can be a stain remover. Use a suitable liquid detergent, preferably one that doesn’t produce plenty of suds for this treatment.
Procedure:
- Perform a patch test on a hidden part of the clothes to see how they will react to the detergent.
- Blot the stains with a damp paper towel to remove excess grass stains.
- Stack a pile of paper towels at the back of the stains in the cloth to avoid spreading to the other side. You can also use an absorbent cloth or cardboard.
- Wet the clothes with cold water to allow the detergent to penetrate effortlessly into the fabric.
- Lay the stained clothes on a flat surface.
- Pour the detergent on the stains and gently scrub with a soft brush.
- Leave the detergent to soak for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Rinse the clothes with cold water and check for remnant stains.
- After removing the stains, wash the clothes in the washer with the same detergent.
Enzyme-Based Laundry Detergent
Scientists discovered that formulating detergents with enzymes created a product that targets specific stains and breaks them down. Since grass is essentially protein and other organic matter, it fits into the category of enzyme targets.
Read the instructions on the detergent’s label to know the correct amount to use, and perform a patch test just in case your clothes don’t respond well to the enzyme detergent.
Procedure:
- Blot the stains with a damp paper towel to remove excess grass stains.
- Wet the clothes with cold water to allow the enzyme detergent to penetrate effortlessly into the fabric.
- Lay the stained clothes on a flat surface.
- Stack a pile of paper towels at the back of the stains in the cloth to avoid spreading to the other side. You can also use an absorbent cloth or cardboard.
- Pour the enzyme detergent on the stains and leave it to soak on the clothes for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Alternatively, soak the clothes in a bucket of water and enzyme detergent.
- Rinse the clothes with cold water and check for remnant stains.
- After removing the stains, wash the clothes in the washer with the same detergent.
Carbona Grass Stain Remover
Carbona has a range of stain-removing products for different stains. Get the one that is specific for removing grass stains.
This stain remover is inexpensive and fast-acting. Unfortunately, it mainly works with hot water, which will clash with certain fabrics.
Performing a patch test on the stained clothes will clarify any confusion.
Procedure:
- Blot the stains with a damp paper towel to remove excess grass stains.
- Lay the stained cloth on a flat surface.
- Stack a pile of paper towels at the back of the stains in the cloth to avoid spreading to the other side. You can also use an absorbent cloth or cardboard.
- Squeeze the stain remover onto the stains and leave the treatment for 20 minutes.
- Afterward, rinse the clothes with hot water to remove the stain remover.
- Check if there are still stains on the clothes and repeat the process.
- Wash the clothes as usual, following the clothes care label instructions.
Dishwashing Liquid and Baking Soda
Dishwashing liquid removes tough stains from plates and utensils so you can repurpose it to remove similar stains from clothes.
Mixing dishwashing liquid with baking soda – an abrasive cleaning agent and a deodorizer – will enhance the stain removal treatment.
Procedure:
- Blot the stains with a damp paper towel to remove excess grass stains.
- Lay the stained cloth on a flat surface.
- Stack a pile of paper towels at the back of the stains in the cloth to avoid spreading to the other side. You can also use an absorbent cloth or cardboard.
- Pour three tablespoons of dishwashing liquid, a ¼ cup of baking soda, and four tablespoons of water into a bowl and stir it to form a homogeneous mixture.
- Pour the mixture on the stains and gently scrub with a soft brush.
- ● Leave the treatment to soak for an hour.
- Afterward, rinse the clothes with hot water to remove the stain remover.
- Check if there are still stains on the clothes and repeat the process.
- Wash the clothes as usual, following the clothes care label instructions.