Step1
Pre-treat both sides
- 2 ml gel
- Leave 10 min max
Clothes · Outdoor stains
Grass stains: how to get them out of clothes, uniform and trainers
Grass is both a protein stain and a natural dye, so treat it fast, keep it away from heat, and use an enzyme or oxygen stain remover.
Quick answer
- !No hot water, iron or dryer until it's gone.
- 1Pre-treat both sides
- 2Soak if it's stubborn
- 3Wash and check wet
- 4Still green? Hydrogen peroxide or alcohol
Match your situation
| Your situation | Try this |
|---|---|
| School trousers, polo shirts, sports kit | Pre-treat (step 1), soak if needed (step 2), then wash on a gentle cold cycle (step 3). [5] |
| Jeans and other denim | Same steps. Vanish says its method works on all denim, cotton, wool and synthetics. [1] See also jeans without fading. |
| White clothes | Use a whites product such as Vanish Oxi Action Crystal White Gel. [1] |
| Canvas trainers | Pre-treat with gel as for clothes, then wash or rinse. [1] |
| Leather shoes | Don't use Vanish on leather shoes. [1] |
| Carpet or rug | Lift off loose grass and mud first, then spray with a carpet stain remover and blot. [1] See carpet stains. |
What you need
Shop links go to Amazon UK search results. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes what a guide recommends.
- Oxygen stain-remover gelVanish Oxi Action Multi Power Gel for colours, Crystal White Gel for whites. [1]
Steps 1 and 2 Find on Amazon: Oxygen stain-remover gel (Amazon UK search, opens in a new tab) - Enzyme (bio) detergent or pre-soakEnzymes break down protein stains like grass. [2][3]
Steps 1 and 3 Find on Amazon: Enzyme (bio) detergent or pre-soak (Amazon UK search, opens in a new tab) - 3% hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcoholOnly if the stain remains after washing. [4]
Step 4 Find on Amazon: 3% hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol (Amazon UK search, opens in a new tab)
Step2
Soak if it's stubborn
- 100 ml gel in 4 L
- Max 40 °C
- Colours 1 h max
- Whites 6 h max
Vanish UK's soak: [1]
- Add 100 ml of Vanish gel to 4 litres of warm or cold water (no hotter than 40 °C).
- Soak for up to 1 hour for colours, up to 6 hours for whites.
- Then wash as usual with an extra dose of Vanish.
No Vanish? Iowa State University Extension recommends an enzyme-based pre-soak in cold to lukewarm water. [3] The American Cleaning Institute also suggests pre-treating or soaking with an enzyme product. [2]
Step3
Wash and check it wet
For school uniform, Vanish suggests: [5]
- Check the care label.
- Wash the uniform separately on a gentle cycle with cold water, to stop colours bleeding.
- Hang it to air dry, or use a low heat setting. High heat can shrink and damage the fabric.
For sports kit, Iowa State University Extension's advice is to get to the stains as soon as possible, avoid chlorine bleach, wash inside out (to protect printed letters and numbers), and air dry. [3]
Check the stain while the item is still wet. If you can still see it, repeat steps 1 and 2 before drying. [2]
Step4
Still green? Hydrogen peroxide or alcohol
If it remainsIf the stain is still there after washing, University of Georgia Extension suggests: [4]
Sources
- Vanish UK: How to remove grass stains
- American Cleaning Institute: Stain removal guide (grass)
- Iowa State University Extension, AnswerLine: Dealing with sport stains
- University of Georgia Extension (Textiles): Remove stains from grass, flowers
- Vanish UK: How to wash school uniforms
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Removing stains from washable fabrics (PDF)