How to remove ketchup stains from clothes

It is much easier to remove a ketchup stain in the first minutes after it gets on your clothes. Once it has penetrated the fibers, it is more difficult, sometimes impossible. It all depends on the structure and type of fabric.

First steps against traces

Carelessness or a careless movement, and ketchup is already “showing off” on jeans, a shirt or a white T-shirt. Recommended:

1. As soon as you notice ketchup on your clothes, remove the top unabsorbed layer with any blunt cutlery or paper napkin. Try to do this without pressing on the material. Then a smaller part will be absorbed and you can avoid dyeing the fibers red.
2. Sprinkle the stain with table salt. Do not shake it off for 2-3 minutes. It will absorb the remains of the ketchup.
3. Then pour cold water on the stain from the back side or direct a stream from the tap. Water at room temperature and above affects the ketchup so that it is absorbed into the fibers more.
4. Do not rub the fabric with your hands, as this will only spread the stain further across its surface.

Now you can begin the main cleaning.

You should know it

To remove dirt without a trace, you need to:

• When using any method to remove a ketchup stain, place a non-shedding material underneath the stain on the back side. This will prevent the cleaning solution from seeping through to the clean side of the item.
• Check the material’s reaction to the cleaning agent. Apply it to an inconspicuous area: an inside pocket, a seam.
• Warm or room temperature water only soaks the fabric fibers with ketchup more strongly. The stain should only be washed out in cold water.
• You can scrape off dried ketchup with a blunt object or a slice of lemon. Its juice will dissolve the residue, and the peel will act as a brush.

Household chemicals

Bleach

In the fight against ketchup stains on white things, bleach is an indispensable assistant. Procedure:

1. Place a non-shedding material, preferably white, or polyethylene, under the stain so that the stain does not spread to another part of the item during treatment.
2. Wash ketchup off the inside of your clothes. This will wash out the particles from the fibers and prevent them from getting stuck in them.
3. Apply bleach to the stained area.
4. After 10-30 minutes, wash in the machine. Set the maximum temperature indicated on the product label.
5. Repeat the procedure if necessary.

Antipyatin Soap

Does not contain aggressive components, suitable for washing children’s clothes, colored and white fabrics, hypoallergenic. Effective for removing old stains.

1. Wet the stained area with water, soap and wash by hand.
2. Then repeat, but wait 15-20 minutes. But it is better to soap and wash the stain a couple more times during this time. It will be more effective.
3. Wash with powder to remove the specific smell of soap.

Folk methods

To remove a ketchup stain, you can use products that are in the arsenal of any housewife. The choice of method depends on the color and type of material.

White things

Laundry soap + hydrogen peroxide + soda

1. Lather the dirty area with laundry soap.
2. After 15-20 minutes, rinse the product in cold water.
3. In a cup, mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda until you get a mushy mixture without lumps.
4. Apply it to the stained area with a toothbrush, rubbing it into the fabric and moving from the edges of the stain to the middle in circular motions.
5. After half an hour, wash the treated area in cold water.

Vinegar

Suitable for removing stains from white items and returning them to their original whiteness.

1. Treat the stained area with dishwashing gel or laundry soap.
2. After 10-20 minutes, rinse off the soapy mixture with cold water.
3. Using a pipette or syringe, drip a solution of vinegar and water (1:1) onto the ketchup stain.
4. After 5-10 minutes, rinse with cold water.
5. Then wash as usual.

Colored things

Lemon juice

It can be used on colored and white items.

1. Apply freshly squeezed lemon juice to the stained area from the front and back sides. Leave for 5 minutes.
2. Rinse under running cold water.
3. If necessary, repeat the procedure.

Glycerol

Works well on ketchup stains. Universal, can be used on white and colored fabrics.

1. Blot the stained area with a sponge soaked in glycerin.
2. Wait a few seconds and wash as usual.

Toothpaste

It can be used on any fabric. The main thing is that it does not contain color additives.

1. Apply a single-color paste to the stain with a toothbrush from the edge to the middle.
2. Wait 30-40 minutes and rinse under water.
3. Wash the item as usual.

Toothpaste + dishwashing gel + salt

1. In cold water, stir a few drops of dishwashing liquid into a foam.
2. Place the stained item into the resulting foam solution.
3. After 3-5 minutes, remove the product and squeeze it out.
4. Apply a single-color toothpaste to the stain with a toothbrush, moving in circular motions from the edges to the middle. If it contains colored additives, it may stain the white fabric.
5. Sprinkle salt over the treated stain and rub it in with your fingers or a brush.
6. The cleaning process is completed by washing the product.

If you can’t completely remove the ketchup stain, you can hide it with a beautiful applique or embroidery, or a stylish sticker on your clothes.