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.
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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.
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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!
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Apply laundry detergent
Rub the stain with a small amount of a liquid laundry detergent or stain remover.
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Allow the stain to loosen
Leave your pre-treatment to loosen the stain for 10-15 minutes or the time specified on the label.
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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
Rub the stain with a small amount of a liquid laundry detergent or stain remover.
- 2
Leave your pre-treatment to loosen the stain for 10-15 minutes or the time specified on the label.
- 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:
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Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to a clean sponge.
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Dab it across the stain, remembering to read the care label and test on a small area first.
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Rinse the area using cold water.
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Apply a small amount of liquid detergent directly to the stain.
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Massage the detergent into the clothing, helping it to get deeper into the fabric.
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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.
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Apply the hairspray to the stain.
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Allow it to dry (or, at least, let it get to the ‘tacky’ stage).
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Use a soft-bristled brush, such as an old, clean toothbrush, to scrub at the stain.
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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.
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Add white vinegar to a spray bottle.
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Spritz the grass-stained area of your shoe.
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Use a soft-bristled brush such as an old, clean toothbrush, to rub the vinegar into the stain.
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Use a damp, clean microfibre cloth to 'rinse' the vinegar away. The stain should no longer be visible.
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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
Can I use bleach when removing grass stains?
If you want to get grass stains out of clothes using bleach, there are a few things you need to consider. Some people prefer not to use bleach and bleach is not suitable for certain fabrics, such as cotton and polyester blends. If you do decide to use bleach, ensure you work safely, follow all the directions on the label, and never leave the garment in a bleach solution for longer than five minutes.Do grass stains come out?
Accidents happen, and if you're wondering "do grass stains come out of clothes?" the answer is yes. With a little bit of time, a good quality laundry detergent and a bit of elbow grease, it is possible to get rid of grass stains. We recommend you get working on the stains as quickly as you can in order to have the best chance of the process of removing grass stains from your clothing being a quick one.What is the best grass stain remover?
There are number of great commercial stain removers on the market which will work really well as long as you follow the manufacturer's guidelines found on the label. Home remedies such as rubbing alcohol or hairspray can also do the trick, however, so check out our guide to get rid of grass stains using homemade stain removers instead.