How to Easily Remove Grass Stains from Clothing
Spring’s warmer temperatures, aromatic breezes, and extra splashes of sunshine bring many people out of winter hibernation. Opportunities to socialize expand as hangouts are extended to outdoor venues. While an afternoon picnic or game of soccer is a lot of fun, outdoor activities can result in accidental grass stains on clothing. This is especially true if you participate in sports like soccer and football.
Anyone who is experienced enough with laundry knows that grass stains are among the trickiest to remove, especially on light-colored clothing like white capri pants, sports jerseys, and light-wash jeans. How can you easily remove grass stains from your favorite spring clothing?
The Science Behind Grass Stains
Grass stains are notoriously stubborn because of their biological makeup. When clothing rubs against grass, natural compounds like chlorophyll, xanthophylls, and carotenoids attach to the fabric and leave behind a green stain. These natural pigments bind easily to natural fabrics like cotton khaki shorts, silk, and wool. Grass can be a tough stain on synthetic fibers like polyester as well.
Since grass stains are protein-based and organic, they are a tough opponent for any laundry machine. But by knowing the weaknesses of natural stains, you can successfully remove them and get more life out of your favorite clothing. All grass stains should first be pre-treated to loosen their hold on the fabric. Then, the methods vary depending on the material and how much the stain has set into the fabric. Perform spot testing to make sure you won’t discolor or damage the materials every time you treat a stain.
Removing Grass Stains from Skinny Jeans
Spring fashion often brings back lighter wash skinny jeans, which match well with floral tops, breezy polos, and crisp white T-shirts. However, grass stains are more evident on lighter fabrics, which makes it important to remove these stains from your jeans as soon as possible. The sooner you can remove a grass stain, the better of a chance you’ll have to fully remove it. Newer stains lift easier and more quickly than older stains.
Use a cotton swab to apply rubbing alcohol to your jeans. Let it dry, and then rinse it with cold water. Then, put a small amount of clothing detergent onto the stain and rub it into the jeans, letting it sit for around five minutes. Then, rinse it thoroughly with cold water and allow the jeans to air dry. If the stain is new, only one round of this method may be necessary. Older stains may need this process repeated. After the stain is gone, throw the jeans into their regular laundry cycle. If you do not have detergent or alcohol on hand, toothpaste can work, but do a spot test to make sure that it does not rub away any dye on the denim.
How to Remove Grass Stains From White Cotton Shirts
Warmer weather brings back the regular appearance of one of the best-loved casual shirts: the plain white cotton T-shirt. Outdoor activities make conditions ripe for staining these items, especially when a cookout turns into a spontaneous game of ultimate frisbee. So how do you remove a grass stain from your favorite cotton T-shirt or men's polo shirt?
First, prepare a solution that has one part white vinegar and two parts water. Then, soak the shirt in this solution for 15 minutes. To loosen the stain’s hold on the cloth, gently rub a clean, white rag on the stain. Then put the shirt in the laundry and wash it with enzyme-based laundry detergent. Spot treating the stain with a store-bought cleaner manufactured for grass stains can also work. Enzymes naturally lift organic stains that come from grass, so these products increase the chances of removing the stain after the pre-treatment phase.
How to Remove Grass Stains From Sportswear
Spring and summer sports mean a lot of tackles, falls, skids, and sliding. These all culminate in tough dirt and grass stains that only grow more stubborn by the hour. After practice is over, take these uniforms and get to work. Since most sportswear is made of a synthetic material like polyester, grass does not cling to it as strongly as with organic cotton or silk. However, these stains are still stubborn and require quick interventions to be removed completely.
For a natural, home-based cleaner, mix three parts baking soda and two parts water to form a paste. Rub this paste over the stain and let it dry. Then, apply a mixture of two parts water, one part vinegar, and a small amount of liquid dish soap into a bowl. Apply this vinegar solution to the dried baking soda and then rub the entire stain with a soft brush. Rinse the sportswear thoroughly and air dry. For extra cleaning power, finish by inserting the garment into the washing machine with an enzyme-based detergent. Follow the garment’s specific care instructions for the best results. This method also works for any clothing that is made with synthetic materials, such as women’s blouses and leggings.
By knowing how to remove grass stains with ordinary household items, you can keep your spring wardrobe attractive and fresh-looking all season long.