Getting out and being active during warm weather is wonderful, grass stains are not.
Are you discouraged when your kids come home with green knees? Do you throw the sneakers in the trash rather than try to clean them? The secret to removing grass stains is patience! They may not come out the first time around but as long as you don’t throw the offending piece of clothing in the dryer there’s still hope.
Grass juice contains chlorophyll which is the green pigment we see in grass stained clothing. Known as a “dye stain” grass stains are among the more difficult to remove.
Different fabrics mean different treatments; some fabrics can only be treated with dry cleaning chemicals. If you are not familiar with this you will be better of taking the garment to a professional rather than risk further damage.
Synthetic (manmade) fabrics are generally easier to treat than natural fabrics such a cotton. The reason for this is that the grass stain, being a natural stain will form a stronger
Bond with the fibers found in a natural fabric.
Always treat grass stains as soon as possible to prevent them from setting in further. If you are not at home, remove the stained article if you have a change of clothing and keep the stain wet. When treating any stain it is important to remember that heat sets, therefore do not place the item in the dryer until you are positive that the stain is gone. Though not impossible to remove a stain that has gone through a dry cycle has been set in and will prove even more stubborn. After treating, wash the garment like normal and allow to air dry to insure that the grass stain has been completely removed.
Often grass stains are accompanied by dirt and debris. Rinse the item for the backside with cool water to remove as much of the dirt as possible before treating the grass stain.
After flushing with water you’re ready to treat the grass stain.
My favorite method of removing grass stains is a simple paste of baking soda and plain vinegar. Most every household has these inexpensive items on hand. In a bowl, mix vinegar into the baking soda a bit at a time until you have a spreadable paste the consistency of toothpaste.
Take the paste and gently work it into the stain with your fingers, working from the backside of the fabric. Working from the back of the fabric pushes the stain back out rather than working it in deeper. Allow the paste to sit on the clothing for 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water, again from the back, until the water runs clean.
If it appears that the stain has been removed, launder with your normal detergent and then allow to air dry.
If the stain is still visible you can repeat the above method or purchase digestive enzymes at a local health store. They can be purchased in powder or pill form either of which is fine. Make a paste with the enzymes using enough water to again get the consistency of toothpaste. If using the pill form simply grind them using the back of a spoon before making your paste.
Spread the paste on the top of the stain and allow to sit for one hour. Flush the stain with cool water before laundering.
Depending on the severity of the stain and the amount of time that has elapsed before treatment it may be necessary to treat multiple times before the stain has been completely removed.
Now that you’ve treated your clothing what about the shoes you wore?
The same treatment you use to remove grass stains from your clothing can be applied to grass stained shoes made from fabric. To treat the leather or vinyl portion of a shoe, coat with molasses; yes the same molasses you use for baking can be used to remove grass stains from your shoes! Leave the molasses on the stain overnight, come morning rinse the shoes with cool water, toss in the washing and launder.
