Nichole asked: How can I remove spaghetti sauce stains from my clothing once it has already been washed? I pre-treated the stain with a stain remover and washed it. When it dried, I noticed the stain was still there. I repeated the process but was still not successful in removing the stain.
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Spaghetti sauce stains are tomato-based stains and quite difficult to remove. If the item was dried in the dryer, the heat from the cycle has set the stain making it nearly impossible to remove. None the less, there have been stains that have been successfully removed, even after they were supposedly “set” by the heat of the dryer. Here are some methods to remove the stains both immediately as well as tips for those stains that have been left through the entire washing and drying cycles.
Removing Fresh Tomato Stains
You Will Need:
- Palmolive or Dawn dish soap
- Cold water
Steps to Remove the Stains:
- Tomato stains have an oil component that dish soaps are effective at removing.
- Begin by applying a small amount of dish soap such as Palmolive or Dawn.
- Scrub the stain gently with your fingers or by rubbing the two sides of the fabric together.
- Rinse with cold water.
- Repeat if any stain remains.
- When the stain is removed, launder as usual.
- Avoid drying the shirt until the stain is completely removed.
Removing “Set” Tomato Stains
You Will Need:
- Dishwasher detergent (ensure it does not include bleach if the clothing is colored)
- Ice cube
- Vinegar
Steps to Remove the Stains:
- Begin by wetting the stained area with water.
- Apply dishwasher detergent and gently rub it into the stain. Be sure to test a small, hidden area first to check for any changes to the color or texture of the fabric.
- Next, rub over the stained area with an ice cube as you are rubbing out the stain.
- If any stain remains, blot it with a clean cloth moistened with vinegar. The acid in the vinegar should cut through any remaining stains.
- When the stain is removed, launder as usual.
Boiling Water Method
You Will Need:
- Boiling water
- Heat resistant bowl
Steps to Remove the Stains:
- Place the shirt over the bowl so that the stain is positioned in the center of the bowl. Stretch the shirt slightly so that there is not a lot of slack in the shirt.
- Bring water to a boil in a tea kettle or pan.
- Pour the boiling water through the shirt at the stained area.
- The boiling water will remove the stain as it goes through the fabric.
Salt and Baking Soda Method
You Will Need:
- Salt
- Baking soda
Steps to Remove the Stains:
- Mix the salt and baking soda in equal parts with a small amount of water to form a paste.
- Rub the paste into the stain and work it in with your fingers.
- Launder the garment as usual.
- Do not dry the clothing in the dryer until you are sure the stain was removed.
- If any stain remains, repeat the steps above.
Additional Tips and Ideas
- Whenever applying a new cleaner to a fabric, always test a small, hidden area first to ensure there is no damage to the fibers or texture of the fabric.
- If the clothing is white, try dabbing the stain with hydrogen peroxide. Apply with a clean cloth, allow it to set for a few minutes an then blot dry with a clean cloth. Repeat until the stain is removed and launder as normal.
- Sunshine is a natural bleaching agent. Place the item in the sunlight and it will naturally bleach the stain away.
I just bought a new shirt that is made of polyester. I got a few pasta sauce spots on it and I am not sure of the best way to get them out. The shirt is colored so I do not want to do anything to bleach it. The sauce got on this morning and did not notice it until this afternoon. I’m not sure if I should try and use cold water to wipe it away before I get home and can wash it or just leave it. I have a stain remover at home but I am not sure if that is the best thing to use.
I have a pair of white NYDJ shorts that got splashed with tomato sauce. As soon as I was done eating I applied stain remover let them sit for the recommended 10 minutes and then put them in the washer with non-clorine bleach, detergent booster, and detergent. The majority of the sauce washed away but what was left was orange stains where the sauce was. The recommendations on the washing instructions of the garment is non-clorine bleach only. I also tried Dawn DW detergent, followed by an ice cube, followed by vinegar. Do you have any other suggestions?
Thanks for the ideas! I used the dish soap method to remove spaghetti stains from my daughter’s dress (which she used as a napkin)! A little cold water, dish soap, and light scrubbing with my finger nail quickly took out the stains! Amazing!
I forgot to mention that the dress was blue and white, with a lot of the spaghetti sauce on the white portion. I can’t even see where the stain was.
The best remedy to remove a tomato stain from cotton (light color fabric) is hydrogen peroxide, a cotton ball, hot water, and sunlight. Before treating the stain with peroxide, use the standard stain remover spray, and wash in as hot a temperature of water as possible. Do not dry until you are certain the stain is removed. If this method does not bring complete results, soak a cotton ball in peroxide and saturate the stain and continue to saturate until the stain begins to lighten. Once the stain doesn’t lighten, hang outside, with the stain fully exposed, on a sunny, hot day. Sunlight is a great stain remover. Once the stain is removed, wash normally.