Thanks to the British weather, a simple walk outdoors can result in mud-covered clothes. Plus of course, many of us face caked-on mud that our active children can bring back after playing outdoors. While it may look daunting, you’ll be pleased to discover getting mud out of clothes is a surprisingly easy enterprise. Read on to discover our simple steps for how to get mud out of clothes, leaving your clothes looking as fresh as before.
Getting mud out of clothes will be easier if you let the stain dry before taking steps to treat it with a detergent. We know it's a very different strategy to most other types of stains, but trust us it works!
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How to get mud stains out of clothes: the basic steps
The strategy for how to remove mud stains from clothes requires a slightly different approach to most other types of stains. Simply follow these steps for how to remove mud stains with ease.
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First, check the garment care tags.
Before you treat any stains, check the clothing care label to make sure that the garment is not labelled as delicate or dry-clean only. If they are, you will require a different method of stain removal from the steps below.
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Next, allow the mud stain to dry.
This may seem counterintuitive, but strangely enough, mud stains are much easier to remove once they are dry. If you attempt to wash stains out while the mud is still wet, you’ll actually end up grinding the mud deeper into the fibres of the clothing.
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Once the mud is dry, remove as much dried mud from the surface as possible.
If the mud is caked on, you should be able to gently shake or knock off clumps of it. You can also use a blunt knife or spoon, or a dry toothbrush or hard-bristled brush to sweep mud from the fabric surface.
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Next, saturate the stained fabric with liquid detergent.
We recommend covering the stain with Persil Bio which removes stains first time. Rub the detergent into the stain and let it soak in for 15 minutes or more, taking care to follow any guidelines on the product label.
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Work away the stain with a wet toothbrush.
Do not soak the entire garment in water, or the mud will dissolve and permeate all the fabric. Instead, wet a toothbrush with a few drops of water and rub the stain from both sides of the fabric in a circular motion. You should see the detergent loosen the mud from the fabric.
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Wash the garment on a normal machine wash cycle.
When you feel the stain has been significantly lifted, wash the garment in the machine on a normal cycle following the guidance on the care label. You should wash muddy clothes separately from any other clothes. If the stain still remains, repeat steps 4-6 until all traces of the mud are gone.
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Allow the garment to air dry.
You should avoid tumble drying as this could set any remaining stain further into the fabric. If you need help drying your clothing without a tumble dryer, we have a simple guide for how to dry clothes inside.
Top tip: If you need to how to remove mud and make white clothes white again, follow steps 1-5 above. Then, fill a basin with cold water and add 60ml of chlorine bleach. Place your white clothing inside and leave it to soak for 5 minutes. Finally follow steps 6-7 above. Always check the care label before using bleach, and aim to air dry in the sun if you can. After all, studies from the dental health industry found UV light to be an effective whitener. So, you can also use sunlight to lighten any pigment that mud may have left on your clothes.
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How to remove Mud Stain Odours
Sometimes, even when you use the best stain remover for mud, your clothes smell bad after washing. Don’t worry if this happens because you can follow the steps below to get rid of the odour from the mud stain:
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Soak in Vinegar
Mix half a cup of white vinegar with two litres of water, then soak your clothes in the solution for about 30 minutes.
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Use bicarbonate of soda
After soaking your clothes in the vinegar solution, check if there are lingering mud odours. If the smell persists, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on the affected area. Let the baking soda sit on your clothes for about an hour.
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Wash your clothes as usual
After using white vinegar or bicarbonate of soda, check if the smell still lingers. If it is gone, you can wash your clothes per the garment care label instructions.
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More tips to get mud out of clothes
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Avoid rubbing: When you get mud splatters on your clothes, it can be tempting to wipe it off. However, fight the urge to do so because it will only set the stain further into the fabric. Instead, take a credit card or a spoon and use it to lift off the mud.
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Use enzyme-based detergent: Detergents containing enzymes are more effective at breaking down the proteins in mud stains. For example, if you use Persil Pro Formula, you’ll notice how easily the mud and debris loosens.
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Rinse using rubbing alcohol: After scraping the mud off and before washing your clothes, try rinsing the stain off using rubbing alcohol. This approach works as a pre-treatment that will make it easier to get mud out of clothes.
Preventing mud stains
Preventing mud stains on your clothing requires proactive measures, especially when venturing into muddy environments or during wet seasons. Here are some effective strategies:
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Wear Appropriate Footwear: Invest in waterproof or mud-resistant boots when walking or hiking in muddy areas. They'll keep your feet dry and minimise splashes onto your clothes.
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Use Protective Clothing: Consider wearing waterproof pants or gaiters to shield your lower body from mud splatters.
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Choose Dark-Colored Clothing: Opt for darker-coloured clothing, as mud stains are less noticeable on darker fabrics.
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Stay on Designated Paths: Stick to designated trails or pathways to minimize contact with muddy terrain.
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Carry Plastic Bags: Pack extra plastic bags to store muddy shoes or clothing separately from clean items.
By taking these precautions, you can reduce the likelihood of mud stains and enjoy your outdoor adventures without worrying about clothing damage.
With these tips, you now know how to get mud out of jeans, shorts, tops, and any other clothing that happens upon a muddy mishap. Even the worst stains from a wet football pitch or muddy day of hill walking can come off with enough time, patience, and a little know-how. To treat other stains, check out our comprehensive guide to stain removal.
Reference:
1. Hayward, R., Osman, Y., & Grobler, S. R. (2012). A clinical study of the effectiveness of a light emitting diode system on tooth bleaching. The Open Dentistry Journal, 6(1), 143–147. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874210601206010143
2. Buddies, S., & Arnett, M. (2024, February 20). No stain, no pain! Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/no-stain-no-pain/
Frequently asked questions on how to get mud out of clothes
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What if I need to know how to remove set in mud stains from clothes?
If you’re wondering how to remove set in mud stains, follow the same steps for getting mud out of clothes found in our guide but apply hand sanitiser instead of liquid detergent and allow it to saturate the stain for a full hour. Always test this method on a small, inconspicuous area of the garment first to ensure that it will not damage the fabric. -
How do I remove mud stains from my shoes?
If you’re wondering how to remove mud stains from shoes, we’ve got you covered. First, use a soft-bristled brush to remove loose dry mud clumps. Next, dilute liquid detergent with water and use a clean cloth to rub the diluted solution over the surface of your shoes. If this doesn’t do the trick, repeat the steps using a baking powder paste instead of detergent solution. -
How can I remove mud stains from my delicate and dry-clean only clothing?
If the garment is labelled delicate, dry-clean only, or is made from a fabric like silk or wool, you should take it to a professional cleaner to handle the stain. Trying to remove a mud stain yourself may permanently damage a delicate or dry-clean only piece of clothing. So, play it safe, and leave these garments to the professionals.
