How to Clean Egg Yolk From Clothing

Protect your clothing by wearing an apron whenever you work with egg yolks.

Dripping egg yolk down your shirt can ruin an enjoyable breakfast. Removing protein-based stains such as egg yolk is notoriously difficult, but not impossible if you act quickly. As the stain dries, the yolk molecules bond with the fabric molecules, stiffening the fabric and staining your clothing permanently. Properly treating your clothing as soon as the yolk stain occurs determines whether your shirt lives to see another breakfast.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels
• Stain remover (aerosol spray can)
• Heavy-duty liquid detergent
• Oxygen bleach (optional)

Instructions

1. Hold both sides of the stained fabric under cold, running water for one minute on each side. This initial rinsing removes any solid yolk residue.

2. Remove any excess water from the stained area by patting both sides of the fabric with paper towels.

3. Spray pre-laundry stain remover over the entire stained area. Coat both sides of the fabric until the stain is completely saturated. Let the treatment sit for one minute so the fabric sufficiently absorbs the stain remover.

4. Launder the stained clothing immediately, using heavy-duty liquid detergent and cold water.

Tips & Warnings

• Pre-laundry stain removers work more effectively on damp fabric as opposed to soaking-wet material.

• Treat yolk stains on bleach-safe clothing by adding oxygen bleach to the wash. Do not add bleach unless the clothing's tag specifically states that using bleach is acceptable.

• Always treat yolk stains immediately. Letting the yolk sit for any period of time — even just 30 minutes — reduces your chances of successfully removing the stain from your clothing.

References

• Oregon State - Extension Program: Stain Removal Guide (pg. 9)
• School Science Resources: Proteins as Catalysts