How to Remove Plant Stains

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Things You'll Need

  • 1/8 cup enzymatic laundry detergent

  • 1 tsp. liquid dish soap

  • 1 tbsp. white vinegar

  • Rubbing alcohol

  • Stain treatment stick

  • 1/8 cup sugar

  • 1/8 cup olive oil

Designate an old pair of clothes for heavy gardening tasks.

You're an avid gardener, and your clothing has the stains to prove it. After a day in the yard, you may find green stains from plant fibers or brown stains from the soil. To remove stains, treat the garment promptly and don't put it in the dryer. Heat sets grass and plant stains, making them difficult or impossible to remove. Rub a stain remover stick on minor grass and plant stains to remove them.

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Cleaning Stained Laundry

Step 1

Fill a sink with cool water and add 1/8 cup enzymatic laundry detergent. Soak grass-stained garments in the cool water for 30 minutes and inspect the stain. If the stain remains, soak for 30 minutes more. Don't soak the garment in hot water, which will set the stain.

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Step 2

Brush off any dried mud or sand. Treat mud stains by soaking the garment in a solution of 2 qt. warm water, 1 tsp. liquid dish soap and 1 tbsp. white vinegar. Soak the garment for 30 minutes. If the stain remains, dab it with rubbing alcohol.

Step 3

Drain the water and rinse the stain with clean water. Wring it out. Dab the area with a stain treatment stick and wash in a regular wash cycle. Inspect the stain before placing the garment in the dryer. If the stain remains, repeat the process for the particular type of stain.

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Cleaning Stained Hands

Step 1

Wash dirt and plant material off your hands with soap and water. Cup one hand, pour 1/8 cup olive oil into it. Add 1/8 cup sugar.

Step 2

Rub your hands together to coat them with the olive oil and sugar. The olive oil softens dirt and stains, while the sugar acts as a mild abrasive. Rub your fingernails to remove soil from underneath them.

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Step 3

Rinse the olive oil and sugar off your hands. Dry your hands with a clean, dry towel. The olive oil softens your hands and smooths callouses.

Tip

An enzymatic laundry soap has enzymes that break down biological stains.

Keep a stain remover stick in your child's closet. Before your child puts dirty clothing in the hamper at night, rub the stain remover stick on minor grass stains. Otherwise, you might forget when it comes time to do the laundry.

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