Removing Mud Stains and Grass Stains from Clothing

Here in Boston, we love to enjoy the outdoors in Spring, Summer and Fall. We can go camping, hiking, play sports like soccer or baseball and spend the day at the park, all in good nature fun. Of course, it rains sometimes, and the ground can get a little or a lot muddy. Needless to say, some of that muddy mess can get on our clothing and leave stains on them. It’s also common to find grass stains on our clothes when we’re spending so much time outside. Although mud and grass stains can come in many shapes and sizes, we’ve gathered some helpful tips for cleaning them.

Removing Mud Stains

Most mud stains can be removed by washing the item according to the care instructions. Let the mud dry, then brush off as much as possible using a soft bristle brush, such as an old toothbrush. Then wash as usual using your regular laundry detergent.

For those more difficult mud stains, you can try treating the stain using one of the many pre-treatment products on the market.

You can also use the following mixture of detergent and ammonia as a pre-treatment:

Measure the amount of detergent needed for the load. Take a small amount of the detergent and mix with regular household ammonia (the non-sudsing type) to form a paste and apply to the stained area. Let stand for five to 10 minutes, then launder as usual using the hottest water allowable for the garment.

Removing Grass Stains

Most grass stains can be removed by simply washing the item according to the care instructions, especially if the stain is fresh. But if the stain has been allowed to set or proves to be difficult to remove, you may need to try other treatments.

Treat the stain as soon as possible, using a pretreatment product from your local grocery store. Test the product for colorfastness by applying to an unexposed area. Let stand for five minutes, then rinse. If the color is affected, don’t use the product. Also check the label on your laundry detergent for pre-treatment instructions. To remove any last traces of the stain, an all-fabric bleach may be necessary. Again, remember to test for colorfastness. Bleach the entire garment following the manufacturer’s instructions, then launder as usual.

Before you try any treatments, remember to test for colorfastness before using any stain removal agent. To test for colorfastness, simply apply a small amount of the product to an unexposed area of the garment. Let stand for about five minutes, then rinse. If the color is affected, don’t use the stain removal agent.

You may also check the label on your laundry detergent, as many detergents give step-by-step pre-treatment instructions.

For best results, take your muddy or grass-stained clothing to Utopia Cleaners. We are more than happy to remove any stains and return the clothing to you clean and ready to wear. Visit a Utopia Cleaners near you or call 617-247-8886 for laundry pickup and delivery service.