How to Remove Food Stains from Laundry

10 Stain Removal Tips

The Spruce / Hilary Allison

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 10 - 15 mins
  • Total Time: 10 - 12 hrs
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $10-$15

Food stains can be removed from clothing and other forms of laundry with the right techniques. These stains are frustrating and may seem virtually impossible to remove but don't pitch your clothing or linens out too quickly. Practically any type of stain— whether oil- or water-based, protein- or tannin-based, including brightly colored tomato splats—can be tackled with these surprisingly simple stain-removal steps.

Brown spray bottle next to cut lemon slices in front of laundry detergent bottles and glass bowl with bleach
The Spruce / Michelle Becker
 Stain Type Oil-based, protein-based, tannin-based
 Detergent Type Standard laundry detergent, stain remover
 Water Temperature Consult care label instructions
Cycle Type Consult care label instructions

Tip

Be wary of color removal with bleach. Bleaching only one stained spot on a garment may result in uneven color removal for the entire garment. Consider using color-safe bleach or an oxygen cleaner if either is approved on the garment tag.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Sink
  • Washing machine

Materials

  • Stain remover
  • Laundry detergent

Instructions

How to Remove Food Stains from Laundry

Gray shirt with stain sprayed with brown bottle containing stain remover
The Spruce / Michelle Becker
  1. Follow Instructions

    Follow the directions on your stain removal product and the care label instructions on your stained laundry. Both of these seemingly insignificant sources of information may improve your chances of successfully removing the stain without ruining your clothes.

    Care tag checked form inside of gray shirt
    The Spruce / Michelle Becker
  2. Test a Hidden Area

    Place a small amount of your stain removal product on a hidden seam or other (relatively) inconspicuous spot to test for colorfastness. Wait the instructed amount of time on the product to make sure it does not change the color of your clothing.

    Warning

    Don't mix stain removal products. Mixing different chemicals, like bleach and a stain remover, can create toxic odors and may damage your clothing.

  3. Remove Stains from the Back

    Lay the stained garment, stain side down, and apply a stain treatment to the "back" side of the stain. Let it sit per the stain product's instructions, then run cold water through the fabric in an attempt to drive the stain out instead of deeper into the fibers.

    Faucet pouring water over gray shirt with stain
    The Spruce / Michelle Becker
  4. Wash Stain-Treated Items

    Wash your stain-treated laundry after you're satisfied with your results. Again, follow the care label instructions and only dry the item if no trace of the stain remains (or it faded as much as possible). Repeated attempts at removal won't work after drying sets the stain.

Additional Tips for Handling Food Stains

Fresh stains are almost always easier to remove than those that have dried (one exception is mud). Give yourself the upper hand by treating food spills, smears, and splatters on your clothes or linens as soon after they happen as possible.


Occasionally, a particularly stubborn food stain may resist all stain removal efforts, but even cranberry stains are worth the effort. With fast action and the right approach, you may just be able to send most of the stain on its way. Stain removal can take time. Sometimes repeat treatments may be required and patience is the key.

When to Call a Professional

If you have a stained garment that requires dry cleaning, resist the urge to treat the stain yourself. Dry cleaning solvents are toxic chemicals that should be handled by the pros in appropriate facilities. Plus, a professional dry cleaner will be more likely to remove the stain without damaging your clothing.

FAQ
  • Can you remove a stain that is already dried?

    It may be more challenging but it can be done. Try soaking in a stain remover formulated for set stains such as Nature's Miracle Set-In Stain Destroyer. Let it sit for the recommended length of time and proceed to washing. You can also use a 1:1 vinegar and water solution and saturate the area. Gently work at the stain with a bristle brush before washing.

  • Doe hydrogen peroxide remove stains from clothes?

    Hydrogen peroxide is effective in certain situations, such as on protein- and plant-based stains. It can work as a mild form of bleach on dye-transfer stains. Always test your fabric in an inconspicuous area before using hydrogen peroxide to ensure color-fastness. Pour a small amount on the stain and soak for about 10 minutes. Proceed to wash.

  • Can red food stains be removed from clothing?

    Soak a fresh red stain in cold water until lifted as much as possible and then launder. If the stain is dried, soak in warm water with a product containing enzymes to break down the proteins. Proceed to launder. If the stain persists, wash again with a bleach safe for fabric.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Using Bleach in Laundry. American Cleaning Institute.

  2. Dangers of Mixing Common Cleaning Products. Toxic Use Reduction Institute.