How to Clean Potting Soil & Dirt From White Clothing in Laundry

Potting soil and dirt stains are a hazard of working in your yard or garden, particularly if you are working with wet soil. Soil stains are much more noticeable if they occur on white clothing and can be difficult to remove completely. Stains should be treated as soon as they occur, as delaying stain treatment can cause dirt particles to deeply penetrate fabric fibers. Following appropriate stain removal and laundry recommendations will ensure that your clothing remains as clean and white as the day you bought it.

Things You'll Need

• Clean cloth
• Stain remover
• Laundry detergent
• Color-safe bleach
• Chlorine bleach

Instructions

1. Brush off excess dry dirt or potting soil from the stained clothing. If you don't remove excess dirt, you may enlarge the stain when you attempt to treat it. Allow muddy clothing to dry before you attempt to treat the stain and then brush off the dried dirt.

2. Place the stained area under cold running water. Gently rub the fabric against itself to dislodge the dirt from the fibers. Be particularly careful when cleaning delicate fabrics. Avoid vigorous rubbing to prevent damage to the clothing.

3. Turn the clothing inside out and put a clean cloth under the stained area. Pour a few drops of stain remover or laundry detergent on the stain. Use another clean cloth to gently rub in the stain remover or detergent. Work from the outside of the stain toward the center. Reverse the clothing and repeat the procedure on the other side of the stain.

4. Use color-safe bleach if the stain remains. Check the clothing care label to make sure that bleach can safely be used to treat the fabric. Rub a small amount of color-safe bleach into the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes.

5. Place treated clothing in the washing machine. If stains remain after the wash cycle ends, repeat the stain removal process. Avoid putting stained clothing in the dryer, as this will permanently set the stain in the clothing.

Tips & Warnings

• Chlorine bleach can be used to treat stains on white cotton clothing. Make sure to dilute the bleach before applying and allow it to remain on the stain for one or two minute before rinsing. Using undiluted bleach can weaken fabric fibers and cause holes in your clothing.

• Don't wash clothing that is heavily stained with other clothing. If you do, loosened potting soil may cause stains on other clothing in the load.

• Avoid using hot water on dirt and soil stains. The heat from the water may make dirt stains more difficult to remove.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Quick 'n Easy Stain Removal
• Good Housekeeping: Stain Buster--Dirt