How to Get Grass Stains Out

Ammonia-based detergents can set a grass stain permanently and should be avoided.

Grass stains are difficult to remove; aside from the plant matter and dirt, these stains are composed of chlorophyll and other plant pigments that soak and bind into clothing fibers. A grass stain that is not quickly treated will eventually set and become almost impossible to remove. Immediately soaking the stained material in a detergent solution containing enzymes can break up the stain before it sets and allow for conventional washing to remove the remaining debris.

Things You'll Need

• Liquid laundry detergent containing enzymes
• Laundry brush
• Bleach detergent
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Sponge
• Dishwashing liquid
• White cloths

Instructions

Removing Grass Stains from Clothing

1. Apply liquid laundry detergent directly to the stain as quickly as possible to pretreat it for soaking and washing. Scrub the stain with a laundry brush as hard as the material allows.

2. Soak the pretreated clothing in a mixture of detergent and hot water for about 3 hours. Soak smaller articles of clothing in a pot with the heat set to low. Soak larger articles of clothing in a bathtub and periodically reheat the water. Allow the water to cool naturally before removing the clothing.

3. Wash the clothing with hot water and bleach detergent. Repeat the wash cycle if the stain is not completely removed. Do not put the clothing in a dryer or expose it to any other sources of dry heat until the stain is removed. Re-soak the clothing if the stain persists after several wash cycles.

4. Run the clothing through a dryer when the stain is completely removed.

Alternative Laundry Treatment with Isopropyl Alcohol

1. Use isopropyl alcohol to pre-treat stains before soaking or washing. Wet a sponge with isopropyl alcohol and allow it to dry.

2. Rinse the sponge with cool water and use it to rub liquid laundry detergent into the stain. Scrub the stain as hard as the material allows. Rinse the clothing with cold water afterward and allow it to air dry.

3. Run the clothing through a washing machine and check to see if the stain is gone before running it through a dryer; if not, soak it in a mixture of laundry and detergent for about 3 hours and run it through the washing machine again. Run the clothing through a dryer when the stain is completely removed.

Removing Grass Stains from Upholstery

1. Mix 2 cups of cool water and 1 tbsp. of dishwashing liquid. Stir the mixture thoroughly and apply a thin layer of the solution to the stained area. Use a clean white cloth to soak up the cleaning solution and grass stain.

2. Reapply the cleaning solution and repeat the soaking process until the grass stain is completely removed. Rinse the cloth and wring it dry between applications and replace it with a fresh cloth if necessary.

3. Apply a small amount of cold water to the treated area and use a clean white cloth to absorb the water and the remaining cleaning solution. Repeat until the cleaning solution is gone and then blot the remaining water away with a dry cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Time is of the essence when dealing with grass stains -- the longer the stain has to dry, the stronger it will set in the fabric.

• Upholstery can also be treated with acetone or dry cleaning solvent to remove grass stains. These chemicals are applied to the upholstery and then blotted away in the same manner as a water and dishwashing liquid solution. These chemicals may stain or damage some materials, however, test the chemical in an inconspicuous spot before applying it to the stain.

• Use caution when soaking clothing in a stove top pot. Make sure that the entire article of clothing is contained within the pot at all times.

• Cover the pot if a cover is available.

• Check on the pot periodically during the heating process.

References

• Stain-Removal-101.com: How to Remove Grass Stains
• Mrs. Clean: How to Remove Grass Stains