How to Remove Avocado Stains From Clothes and Carpets

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 5 - 10 mins
  • Total Time: 10 - 30 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $10

Avocado spills are bound to happen, but they can be removed if you get to them quickly. A gloppy, green avocado accident may look awful, but the actual pigment content of avocados is low, so fresh avocado stains are not green. Older, dried stains can turn brown, though, and avocados contain a lot of fat that can leave oily stains on clothing and carpets.

How to Remove Avocado Stains From Clothing

The Spruce / Alison Czinkota

If avocado lands on your clothes or carpet, it is important to clean up the area as soon as possible, but do not rub the area because the friction will embed the stain. Instead, follow these simple steps to get rid of guacamole and other avocado stains for good.

Stain type Oil-based
Detergent type Liquid laundry detergent
Water temperature Cold
Cycle type Normal

Before You Begin

  • Before using any detergents or cleaning solutions on a garment, test it on an inconspicuous area first to ensure that it does not discolor the fabric.
  • Do not dry the clothes in a clothes dryer until the stain is entirely gone. Drying the stain in a clothes dryer will set it, reducing your chances of ever fully removing the stain.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

Clothes

  • Dull knife or spoon
  • Rubber gloves (optional)
  • Washing machine

Carpets

  • Dull knife or spoon
  • White cloth or paper towels
  • Sponge
  • Vacuum

Materials

Clothes

  • Water
  • Liquid laundry detergent
  • Stain remover stick, gel, or spray

Carpets

  • Liquid hand dish washing detergent

Instructions

Materials needed for removing avocado stains from clothing

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

How to Remove Avocado Stains From Clothing

  1. Scoop Away Excess Avocado

    Scoop up as much avocado as possible from the fabric with a dull knife or spoon. Don't press too firmly to avoid driving the stain deeper into the fibers.

    removing excess avocado
    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu
  2. Apply Liquid Laundry Detergent

    Rub liquid detergent liberally into the avocado stain. Allow the detergent to stand on the stain for at least five minutes so it can penetrate through the avocado, loosening oils and vegetative particles as it works.

    applying liquid detergent to the avocado stain
    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

    Tip

    Mild detergents and stain removers can be harsh on your skin and may destroy nail polish. Keep your manicure fresh by protecting it with rubber gloves when you do household chores and laundry.

  3. Soak the Stain in Cold Water

    Soak the stain in cold water for 10 to 15 minutes or until the stain begins to fade.

    Every five minutes, rub the stained area gently between your fingers.

    soaking the garment in water
    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu
  4. Rinse and Repeat

    Rinse the stained area thoroughly. Repeat these steps until every last hint of avocado has been removed.

    rinsing the garment
    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu
  5. Apply a Stain Remover 

    If traces of the stain remains, apply a stain remover stick, gel, or spray and let stand for five minutes.

    Wash the clothing in the hottest temperature recommended for the fabric.

    Tip

    Hot water will be much more effective at fully removing the stain, but be sure to follow your fabric guidelines. Otherwise, you may shrink or damage the fabric by washing it at too high a temperature.

    applying stain remover gel
    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

How to Remove Avocado Stains From Carpets

  1. Scoop Away Solids

    Lift excess guacamole solids away from the fibers with a spoon or dull knife. (Remember not to rub with a cloth, which will only push the stain deeper into the carpet.)

    Removing avocado solids from the carpet with a dull knife

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

  2. Sponge Stain With Soap

    Mix a solution of two teaspoons of liquid hand dishwashing detergent into two cups of warm water. Dip a sponge, cloth, or soft-bristled brush into the solution.

    Work from the outside edge of the stain toward the center to keep the stain from spreading.

    As the avocado is lifted from the carpet, blot it away with a clean cloth or paper towel until no evidence of the stain remains.

    Mixing a dish soap solution

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

  3. Rinse the Area and Blot

    Rinse the carpet by dipping a sponge in plain water and blotting the area until all soapy residue is gone.

    Use dry paper towels to blot and absorb the moisture. (If you skip this step, the soapy residue will attract more soil to the area.)

    Blotting the stained area on the carpet with a sponge

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

  4. Air Dry and Vacuum

    Allow the carpet to air dry away from direct heat or sunlight. When dry, vacuum the area to lift the fibers.

    Vacuuming the carpet after stain removal

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Additional Tips for Handling Avocado Stains

The same cleaning solutions and techniques recommended for removing guacamole stains from carpets can also be used for upholstery. Just take care not to over-saturate upholstered cushions because excess moisture can be harmful to the batting and even encourage mildew growth.

When to Call a Professional

For avocado or guacamole stains on dry-clean-only garments, it's best to consult your professional cleaner. You can use a dull knife or spoon edge to lift green goop from the surface of the fabric, then blot with a moist cloth dipped in plain water. As soon as possible, while the stain is still damp, head to the dry cleaner.

If your upholstery is silk or vintage, you should also consult a professional for assistance or additional stain removal tips.

FAQ
  • Can avocado stains be removed?

    If you get to it quickly, avocado stains will come out. However, if the stain has dried, it will be much tougher to remove. Therefore, you'll want to soak the garment or saturate the stain in a stain remover before attempting to remove.

  • What can you use to remove avocado stains?

    Liquid laundry detergent is your best bet to remove avocado stains. For trickier stains, you can also try a stain remover and let it sit for five minutes at a time.

  • Does guacamole stain?

    Yes, guacamole stains, but it can be removed if you get to it quickly. Treat it just like you would an avocado stain, scraping what you can of the guacamole away first and then applying stain remover or liquid laundry detergent. Soak/saturate with water and gently rub to remove the stain.