How to get grass stains out of jeans and clothes

How to remove grass from clothes

1. 1

   Deal with any mud first

   If the stain is muddy, treat the mud first: brush off any loose dirt and rinse the rest out with cold water before working on the grass.

   Why: Mud is a soil and protein stain that hot water would set, and it blocks the enzymes from reaching the grass.

2. 2

   Enzyme soak in cool water

   Soak the stained area in cold to lukewarm water, under about 100°F, with an enzyme detergent or presoak. Give fresh stains at least 30 minutes and older ones longer.

   Why: Enzymes break down the plant proteins pressed into the fibers and loosen the pigment. Iowa State Extension keeps this soak under about 100°F, because hot water can set the protein part of the stain.

3. 3

   Rub in detergent and wait

   Work liquid laundry detergent or a pretreater into the stain with a soft brush, and let it sit 10 to 15 minutes.

   Why: Detergent lifts the loosened green pigment out of the weave.

4. 4

   Rinse while rubbing the fabric

   Rinse the area under running water, rubbing the fabric against itself. Iowa State Extension uses hot water here once the mud is out; on delicate or stretch fabrics, use warm.

   Why: Friction and flowing water carry away the pigment the detergent has loosened.

5. 5

   Wash, then bleach any leftover green

   Launder as usual. If a green tint remains, wash again with oxygen bleach, or chlorine bleach on white cotton whose label allows it.

   Why: Chlorophyll is a pigment that oxidizing bleach breaks down.

6. 6

   Air-dry and check

   Hang to dry and look at the spot in daylight. Repeat the enzyme and bleach steps if needed before using the dryer.

   Why: Dryer heat sets any remaining pigment.

Why grass stains are so stubborn

A grass stain is plant juice ground into fabric by friction: green chlorophyll and yellow carotenoid pigments together with plant proteins. Sources classify it differently because it's both. The University of Kentucky calls it a protein stain, Iowa State Extension notes it can act like a dye stain, and the American Cleaning Institute treats it with enzymes. They all agree on the order: enzymes for the protein first, bleach for the color last.

Chlorophyll dissolves in organic solvents rather than water, which is why plain water barely touches a grass stain and why rubbing alcohol is a reasonable backup. The friction that caused the stain also pushes it deep into the twill of jeans and the knit of athletic pants, so a soak works better than a quick scrub.

By situation

Grass stains on jeans

Denim is sturdy cotton, so it handles the enzyme soak, a firm brushing and a hot rinse well. Test bleach inside a hem first: oxygen bleach is the safe choice for blue denim, and chlorine bleach will lighten it.

White clothes and baseball pants

After the enzyme step, wash with chlorine bleach if the label allows. Many white sports pants contain spandex, which can't take chlorine bleach, so use oxygen bleach on those.

Polyester and spandex sports uniforms

Iowa State Extension notes polyester holds oily soils and spandex needs gentler handling. Use the cool enzyme soak, skip chlorine bleach, and avoid very hot water and the dryer.

Old or already-dried grass stains

Give the enzyme soak more time and follow with an oxygen bleach soak. Some green may linger on synthetics, but repeated rounds often fade it.

Wool, silk and dry-clean-only items

No enzymes and no chlorine bleach on wool or silk, since enzymes digest protein fibers. Sponge with cool water and take the item to a cleaner.

What not to do

• Don't start with hot water. The protein part of the stain can set before the enzymes have broken it down.
• Don't use chlorine bleach on spandex, wool or silk. It damages these fibers.
• Don't machine-dry before checking. Heat sets leftover green pigment.

Other methods that work

Rubbing alcohol

Chlorophyll dissolves in organic solvents, and an old government bulletin sponged grass stains with alcohol on fabrics soap might damage. Dab it on, blot, rinse, then wash.

Caution: It can fade dyes, so test first, and dilute it for acetate. It's flammable.

3% hydrogen peroxide on whites

The same old bulletin sponged grass stains with hydrogen peroxide. It's traditional, with weak evidence today.

Caution: Test on colors, and rinse well.

White vinegar

Commonly suggested for grass stains, but no cited source supports it. Traditional, with weak evidence.

Caution: Test on colors, and never use it with chlorine bleach.

Stain still there?

A faint green shadow remains after washing

Soak in oxygen bleach for several hours, or use chlorine bleach on white cotton that allows it, then wash and air-dry.

The stain turned brownish or yellow

Leftover pigment or soil may have set. Repeat the enzyme soak, then an oxygen bleach soak, before drying.

Knees of sports pants still look dingy

Grass and soil from the field often build up together. Repeat the enzyme soak, rub liquid detergent into the area, and wash in the warmest water the label allows.

Safety

• Never mix chlorine bleach with ammonia or vinegar.
• Rubbing alcohol is flammable. Use it away from flames.

Never mix cleaning products; see chemicals you must never combine.

Questions

Grass on other surfaces

• Grass stains: the complete guide
• Grass on shoes

Other stains on clothes

• Stains on clothes: the complete guide
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