How to get grass stains out quickly and easily

From sports kits to the clothing your child wears in the play park, grass stains are something every household deals with. If you want to know how to get grass stains out quickly and easily, read our guide to removing grass stains below.

Updated 11 April 2023

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AuthorBy Cleanipedia Team

Reading Time5 minutes

A close-up photo of green and yellow blades of grass

Whether you’re a parent, a keen football player, or you simply enjoy going on walks in the park or countryside, you should really know how to get grass stains out of your clothing. From jeans to tops, read on to discover some simple tips, tricks, and home remedies you can use to get rid of grass stains with ease.

How to remove grass stains from jeans and other clothing: where to start

Removing grass stains is simple once you know how, but there are some important steps you need to consider no matter where you've got the stain.

  • Always start by soaking your clothing in cold water. Don’t use hot water. It’s a common misconception that hot water is better at getting dirty marks out, however this only applies oily stains or greasy stains and would have the opposite effect on non-fatty stains.

  • Test your chosen cleaning product or method on a small, inconspicuous area of the garment first. We recommend testing it on an area such as the inside of the sleeve or leg, and always follow the advice on the care label. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

  • How to get grass stains out using laundry detergent or a commercial stain remover

    Sometimes, all you need is a commercial stain remover or laundry detergent – no other products required!

    1. 1

      Apply laundry detergent

      Rub the stain with a small amount of a liquid laundry detergent or stain remover.

    2. 2

      Allow the stain to loosen

      Leave your pre-treatment to loosen the stain for 10-15 minutes or the time specified on the label.

    3. 3

      Wash as normal

      Wash your garment as normal, using a good quality detergent such as Persil Bio Liquid or if you have sensitive skin, try Persil Ultimate Non-Bio, making sure to always follow the guidance found on the care label.

How to get grass stains out using laundry detergent or a commercial stain remover

Sometimes, all you need is a commercial stain remover or laundry detergent – no other products required!

  1. 1

    Rub the stain with a small amount of a liquid laundry detergent or stain remover.

  2. 2

    Leave your pre-treatment to loosen the stain for 10-15 minutes or the time specified on the label.

  3. 3

    Wash your garment as normal, using a good quality detergent such as Persil Bio Liquid or if you have sensitive skin, try Persil Ultimate Non-Bio, making sure to always follow the guidance found on the care label.

Removing grass stains using rubbing alcohol

Alcohol is a solvent, which helps to lift off the green pigmentation left by the grass. To get rid of grass stains using this home remedy follow these steps:

  1. 1

    Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to a clean sponge.

  2. 2

    Dab it across the stain, remembering to read the care label and test on a small area first.

  3. 3

    Rinse the area using cold water.

  4. 4

    Apply a small amount of liquid detergent directly to the stain.

  5. 5

    Massage the detergent into the clothing, helping it to get deeper into the fabric.

  6. 6

    Leave to sit for 5 minutes before washing in the machine as normal.

Top tip: Don’t wipe or scrub – you’ll spread the dirty mark across more of your clothing or even make it more difficult to remove.

Get rid of grass stains using hairspray

Most hairsprays contain alcohol, so these hair products can have a similar effect to rubbing alcohol. It’s worth noting that the results aren’t usually quite as good, so it’s best to only use this method for mild discolouring.

  1. 1

    Apply the hairspray to the stain.

  2. 2

    Allow it to dry (or, at least, let it get to the ‘tacky’ stage).

  3. 3

    Use a soft-bristled brush, such as an old, clean toothbrush, to scrub at the stain.

  4. 4

    Follow steps 4-6 above to apply detergent and wash your clothing.

How to remove grass stains from shoes using vinegar

For most shoes you want to avoid putting them into the washing machine as this could cause worse damage than a little grass staining. Thankfully it’s simple enough to get rid of grass stains on your shoes with the following steps.

  1. 1

    Add white vinegar to a spray bottle.

  2. 2

    Spritz the grass-stained area of your shoe.

  3. 3

    Use a soft-bristled brush such as an old, clean toothbrush, to rub the vinegar into the stain.

  4. 4

    Use a damp, clean microfibre cloth to 'rinse' the vinegar away. The stain should no longer be visible.

  5. 5

    Repeat the above steps if any stubborn staining remains, then allow your shoes to air dry.

For more top tips for cleaning shoes, check out our guides for cleaning white shoes, cleaning shoe laces and even cleaning canvas shoes.

So there you go. With just a handful of simple steps and some easy home remedies, you can get rid of grass stains on your clothes and shoes in no time.

Frequently asked questions on how to get grass stains out of clothing

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