4 Ways to Remove Grass Stains From Clothes

Whether you were mowing the lawn or your children were rolling around in the yard, grass stains happen—especially during the warmer months. While grass stains are possible to remove, they can set in very quickly if not tended to in a timely manner.

How you treat these types of stains depends on the fabric you're cleaning. To help, we're sharing a few different cleaning methods suitable to a variety of materials. Before treating grass stains, be sure to patch test your chosen cleaning solution on a small part of fabric to ensure it doesn't damage it.

How to Remove Grass Stains With Baking Soda

Baking soda can be used as a stain fighting agent on most fabrics, especially cotton, polyester, and synthetic blends. "It may not be suitable for delicate fabrics like silk or wool, as the abrasive nature of baking soda could potentially cause damage or weakening of the fibers," says Val Oliveira, the owner Val's Cleaning Services.

Materials Needed

Make sure you have these materials on hand before getting started.

• Baking soda
• Soft brush
• Mild detergent
• Water
  
• Small bowl
• Clean cloth

Steps

Follow these steps from Oliveira when using baking soda to clean grass stains.

1. Evenly sprinkle baking soda over the grass stain, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Using a soft brush or old toothbrush, gently work the baking soda into the fabric.
3. Mix a few drops of mild detergent with cold water in a small bowl to create a cleaning solution.
4. Dip a clean cloth into the cleaning solution and gently blot the grass stain.
5. Thoroughly rinse the fabric with cold water to remove the baking soda and detergent completely.
6. Inspect the fabric to ensure the grass stain is fully removed. If any residue remains, repeat the process.
7. Once the grass stain is gone, launder the fabric according to the care instructions.
   

How to Remove Grass Stains With Vinegar

Use vinegar to treat grass stains on cotton, polyester, and other synthetic blends. "The acetic acid in vinegar is excellent at breaking down the pigment in grass stains," says Jennifer Parnell, the co-founder of Humble Suds. "Avoid treating delicate fabrics such as wool or silk with vinegar."

Materials Needed

Make sure you have these materials on hand before getting started.

• Vinegar
• Water
• Oxygen powder (or laundry powder)
• Soft brush

Steps

Follow these steps from Parnell when using vinegar to clean grass stains.

1. Mix 1 part water and 1 part vinegar.
2. Soak the stain in the mixture for 30 minutes.
3. Rinse the garment with warm water.
4. Sprinkle oxygen powder (non-chlorine bleach) or laundry powder over the stain and and dampen with room temperature water.
5. Using a soft brush or old toothbrush, gently scrub until the stain is gone.
6. Thoroughly rinse the fabric to remove any residue.
7. Inspect the fabric to ensure the grass stain is fully removed. If any residue remains, repeat the process.
8. Once the grass stain is gone, launder the fabric according to the care instructions.

How to Remove Grass Stains With Dish Soap

Dish soap is excellent at removing grass stains and is suitable for most fabrics. "When dealing with delicate fabrics such as silk or wool, it's advisable to be cautious as certain dish soap formulations could be too harsh," says Oliveira.

Materials Needed

Make sure you have these materials on hand before getting started.

• Soft cloth
• Mild dish soap
• Water
• Small bowl
• Clean cloth
  

Steps

Follow these steps from Oliveira when using dish soap to clean grass stains.

1. Gently blot the grass stain with a clean cloth. Avoid rubbing, as it may spread the stain further.
2. Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with cold water in a small bowl.
3. Dip a clean cloth into the cleaning solution and gently blot the grass stain.
4. Let the dish soap solution soak into the stain for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Continue blotting the grass stain with the dish soap solution, working from the outside of the stain toward the center.
6. Thoroughly rinse the fabric with cold water to remove dish soap residue.
7. Inspect the fabric to ensure the grass stain is fully removed. If any residue remains, repeat the process.
8. Once the grass stain is completely removed, launder the fabric as usual according to the care instructions.
   

How to Remove Grass Stains With Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol should only be used on sturdy fabrics like cotton, polyester, and other synthetic blends. "It should be avoided on delicate fabrics like silk or wool, as it may potentially cause damage or color fading," says Oliveira.

Materials Needed

Make sure you have these materials on hand before getting started.

• Clean cloth
• Rubbing alcohol
• Water
  

Steps

Follow these steps from Oliveira when using rubbing alcohol to clean grass stains.

1. Gently blot the grass stain with a clean cloth. Avoid rubbing, as it may spread the stain further.
2. Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol directly onto the grass stain, ensuring complete coverage.
3. Using a clean cloth, blot the grass stain with the rubbing alcohol.
4. Allow the rubbing alcohol to sit on the stain for a few minutes.
5. Thoroughly rinse the fabric with cold water to remove the rubbing alcohol.
6. Inspect the fabric to ensure the grass stain is fully removed. If any residue remains, repeat the process.
7. Once the grass stain is completely removed, launder the fabric as usual according to the care instructions.