How to Remove Tomato Stains From Fabric

Fresh tomatoes add flavor and color to any recipe.

Tomatoes make a healthy addition to any recipe. When a tomato-based stain, such as tomato sauce or ketchup, ends up on your fabric, you can be left with a dull orange or red permanent stain if the tomato stain isn't removed properly. Tomato stains are a type of tannin stain and are easiest to remove when tended to right away with products found in most households.

Things You'll Need

• Spoon 1 tbsp. heavy-duty laundry detergent Bucket Cool water Sponge 1 tsp. clear shampoo 1 cup white vinegar Clean cloths

Instructions

1. Scrape off any tomato particles from your fabric surface with a spoon. Remove as much as possible so only the liquid portion of the tomato stain remains on the fabric.

2. Mix 1 tbsp. heavy-duty laundry detergent in a bucket of cool water. If the fabric is a garment or removable upholstery, soak it for 1 to 2 hours. For other fabrics, soak a sponge in the soapy solution, wring out the excess moisture and blot at the tomato stain repeatedly to lift the stain.

3. Rinse the stain with cool water by sponging the tomato stained area of your fabric with a sponge. Continually rinse the sponge and blot the fabric to remove more of the tomato stain, as well as the detergent.

4. Mix a solution of 1 tsp. clear shampoo with cool water in a bucket. Use this mild soap solution to tackle any remaining tomato stain on your fabric. Blot the stain from the outside in toward the middle.

5. Use a vinegar rinse to remove all cleansers and any last traces of tomato stain and odor. Soak garments directly in a bucket of cool water and 1 cup of white vinegar. Blot the solution onto fabric upholstery.

6. Dry upholstered fabric surfaces by wicking up moisture with a clean, dry cloth.

7. 

   Hang dry clothing in the sun to remove trace stains.

   Launder washable fabrics according to directions and line dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Rinse a tomato stain from the back of the stain if you are away from home. Blot dry with a paper towel and tackle the remaining stain once you get home.

References

• Fibers: How to Remove a Tomato Stain
• Ohio State University: Quick and Easy Stain Removal
• Earth Easy: Non-Toxic Home Cleaning Solutions