How to Easily Get Any Food Stain Out of Your Clothes Like a Pro

By
Sarah Aguirre
Sarah Aguirre
Sarah Aguirre is a housekeeping expert with over 20 years of experience cleaning residentially and commercially. Over that time, she has been writing about tips and tricks for housekeeping and organizing a home for national publications.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Published on 01/13/25
10 Stain Removal Tips 10 Stain Removal Tips

The Spruce / Hilary Allison

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 5 - 15 mins
  • Total Time: 45 mins - 2 hrs

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-, water-, protein-, or tannin-based—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 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

What You'll Need

Materials

  • Stain remover or a homemade alternative

Instructions

How to Remove Food Stains from Laundry

  1. Read the Instructions

    Care tag checked form inside of gray shirt Care tag checked form inside of gray shirt
    The Spruce / Michelle Becker

    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.

    Want more cleaning and organizing tips? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest hacks, expert advice, and more!

  2. Test a Hidden Area

    Place a small amount of your stain removal product (or homemade alternative) 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, may damage your clothing and can create toxic odors.

  3. Remove Stains from Behind

    Faucet pouring water over gray shirt with stain Faucet pouring water over gray shirt with stain
    The Spruce / Michelle Becker

    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.

    Be Wary of Bleach

    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.

  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; repeated attempts at removal won't work after drying sets the stain.

Additional Tips for Handling Food Stains

Gray shirt with stain sprayed with brown bottle containing stain remover Gray shirt with stain sprayed with brown bottle containing stain remover
The Spruce / Michelle Becker

Fresh stains are almost always easier to remove than those that have dried (with few exceptions). 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 always 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 and 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 can remove a stain that is already dried. Try soaking in a stain remover formulated for set stains. 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.

  • Does hydrogen peroxide remove stains from clothes?

    Hydrogen peroxide is effective for removing certain stains from clothes, such as 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?

    Red food stains can 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. Dangers of Mixing Common Cleaning Products. Toxic Use Reduction Institute.

  2. Using Bleach in Laundry. American Cleaning Institute.