How to Remove Pollen Stains With Household Products

How to Remove Pollen Stains

1. Shake Out the Pollen

   Shake out the stained garment outdoors to remove as much pollen as possible. Hold the stained area face down so the pollen doesn't contact other clothing parts.

2. Lift the Pollen With Tape

   Wrap masking or Scotch tape, sticky-side-out, around a few fingers, gently press the tape onto the stain and lift the pollen from the surface. The more surface pollen you can remove, the more likely you'll be able to remove the stain entirely.

3. Rinse and Soak With Cold Water

   • Rinse the stained area with cold water, running the faucet through the underside of the fabric. This will gently push the pollen away from the material.
   • When you've removed as much of the stain as possible by rinsing, soak the garment in a washtub or sink full of cold water for 30 minutes.

4. Rinse Again

   • Rinse the fabric again to remove as much of the pollen as possible.
   • If necessary, soak the garment again. Repeat this step as many times as needed.

5. Apply Stain Remover

   Apply your favorite stain removal product before washing and allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes or as directed.

6. Wash as Usual

   Wash the garment in the hottest water, as advised on its care label. Hot water will help activate the stain remover, but ensure it isn't so hot that it damages your clothing.

7. Air Dry

   • Check for the stain before drying. Pollen stains may need several treatments to make them entirely disappear. If the stain remains after cleaning, repeat the above steps before drying the garment.
   • Sometimes, it's hard to see if a stain is completely gone while the garment is wet. Hang the garment to dry in a cool room and examine it afterward. Do not use a machine dryer until the stain has vanished.

Additional Tips for Handling Pollen Stains

• Repeat steps or switch tactics: If the pollen stain (including lily pollen) persists despite multiple rounds of cleaning, you can try rubbing alcohol on the stain and blotting it with a clean white cloth. Rubbing alcohol has degreasing properties that interact with the oils in the pollen, which seem to dissolve the stain and lift it off fabrics. Be sure to test for colorfastness in an inconspicuous clothing area before using the alcohol on the stain. Rinse the area thoroughly with water before washing the item.
• Prevent lily pollen stains: Lilies are big flowers that produce a lot of pollen and are known for being pollen stain makers. To prevent pollen stains with cut flowers, including lilies, carefully remove and discard the stamen, the long stalk that produces the pollen at the end.
• Stop spreading the stain: When trying to remove pollen from clothes, do not touch it or do not let it touch other areas of the clothing. If possible, begin to remove the stain while still wearing the garment. If taking off the item, remove it carefully without letting it fold over or touch other areas of the garment or another stainable surface.
• Handing dry-clean-only garments: If the garment is labeled as dry clean only, take the item to the dry cleaner as soon as possible and point out and identify the stain. The same applies to a stain that damages a vintage garment; contact a professional cleaner, or you will do more damage if you try to remove the stain yourself.