Kool-aid – the great childhood drink that has left it’s memories on many of our clothes. It’s no wonder those stains seem impossible to remove – it’s so strong, it has been used as dye! There are a few ways to remove these very stubborn stains. As with any stain removal technique, you will want to try a test application on a small, hidden spot to be sure it does not damage the color or fibers of your garment.
Table of Contents:
How to Clean Kool-Aid Stains…
There are several different methods you can use to remove Kool-Aid from your garments.
…With Ice Water
You Will Need:
- Cold water (add ice cubes, the colder the better)
- Clean white cloths
- Spray bottle for water
- Borax
- Old toothbrush
- Vacuum
How to Remove the Stain:
- Begin by blotting with a clean cloth to remove as much of the Kool-Aid as possible. It’s very important to BLOT throughout this entire process DO NOT SCRUB. Your goal is to “lift” the stain, not rub it into the fabric. Working from the outside of the stain towards the center will keep the stain from spreading.
- Spray the stain with the ice cold water.
- Cover the stain with borax
- Use an old toothbrush to gently work the borax into the stain.
- Blot with clean cloth. Repeat as necessary with a clean cloth each time until no more stain appears on the cloth.
- When the stain is removed, wash the clothing in cold water following detergent recommendations on the care tag.
- You may want to air-dry the clothing to be sure the stain is not noticeable when it’s dry. If you place it in the dryer and it’s not completely gone, it will be set from the heat and impossible to remove.
…With Boiling Water
You Will Need:
- Boiling Water
- Large Bowl
How to Remove the Stain:
- Keep the boiling water in a tea kettle or pitcher, you will need something that you can easily pour it from.
- Lay the stained garment over the large bowl so the stain is centered on the bowl.
- Carefully pour the boiling water over the stained area and into the bowl. BE CAREFUL not to splash yourself with the hot water.
- As the water travels through the fabric, it will take the stain with it.
- Repeat as necessary until the stain is gone.
- When the stain is removed, wash the clothing in cold water following detergent recommendations on the care tag.
- You may want to air-dry the clothing to be sure the stain is not noticeable when it’s dry. If you place it in the dryer and it’s not completely gone, it will be set from the heat and impossible to remove.
…With a Hot Iron
This method will work on both fresh stains and set-in stains.
You Will Need:
- Iron
- Clean white towel
- Water
- Ammonia
- Spray bottle
How to Remove the Stain:
- Mix a solution of 1 part water and 1 part ammonia in the spray bottle.
- Spray the solution on the kool-aid stain.
- Cover with a damp towel.
- Place hot, steamy iron on top of damp towel for 30 seconds.
- Remove the iron. The stain should be transferred to the towel.
- When the stain is removed, wash the clothing in cold water following detergent recommendations on the care tag.
- You may want to air-dry the clothing to be sure the stain is not noticeable when it’s dry. If you place it in the dryer and it’s not completely gone, it will be set from the heat and impossible to remove.
Additional Tips and Ideas
If the stain is on a garment that is dry-clean only, do not pre-treat or attempt to remove the stain. Take the item to a professional cleaner as soon as possible to have the stain treated. For help finding reputable cleaners in your area, contact your local Chamber of Commerce, or visit the Yellow Pages.
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I need to know how to get kool-aid out of an tan colored sofa. I’ve got a lot of it out with carpet cleaner and cold water. but the stain is still there, and it’s pink, not red any more. Any ideas??
Same here but it’s on a sweater that’s cream colored.
I scrubbed it with stain remover and it turned pink.
I got an orange Gatorade stain that was set in for a couple of months out with just water, a little dishwashing liquid and a hot iron and paper towels. Not even sure I needed any soap. The steam from the iron pulled it out, I just had to do it over and over for about ten or 15 minutes but you can’t tell it was even there now.
Steam iron worked great on wood
One of my kids spilled blue Kool-aid on my wood table and left it to set in and make a nice stain for me to clean up.
Luckily, I came on here and decided to try using my iron on the steam setting with paper towels to see if that would work.
It did! In less than a minute, the steam had pulled the Kool-aid out and the paper towel absorbed it. *WHEW*
Kool Aid Carpet Stain
The Kool-ade stain is set in on light carpet. I had a pro out the day after it happened but they couldn’t get it out. It is now set in and I would like you to suggest my best option.
Kool-aid stain on my doily
I have a beautiful crocheted white doily my friend made me & our G.Grand Kid’s spilled a glass full of Kool-Aid on it. I didn’t know until a day later & it’s dried on it, so what can I do to get it out? I’m desperate.
Koolaid stain
There is this amazing cleaner called Capture….
It is a spray and powder that you apply to your carpet.
We had a Koolaid stain on the carpet and I applied the powder, and after it dried the stain vacuumed right out.
Works on any stain, including coffee.
Excellent tips to remove stains
Thank you for the ideas. My 2 year old had spilled his red Kool-aid on our new bed and thanks to the tips above I was able to clean the entire affected area of all the Kool-aid. I didn’t have any ammonia or dish soap as mentioned, just an iron and paper towels, so after wiping up what we could, I sprayed water on the area (small sections at a time) and placed the hot steam iron onto 3 layers of paper towels over the now dampened area. I waited for about 30 or so seconds until the towels just started to brown and it soaked up the Kool-aid. It took a few passes to get each spot completely clean, but it was a large area covering half a queen sized bed which would have looked terrible under any light color, or white bed sheets. Now it’s gone and the bed is saved. Thank you, Thank you, Thank You!