Grass Stains: The Reality of a Gorgeous Lawn

For kids, green knees are practically a given after a day of hard playing. However, as much as we can all appreciate the fact that these grass stains mean that our youngsters were getting some fresh air and exercise doing outdoor activities, it can also be a pain when you’re now stuck with a load of very challenging laundry.

Unfortunately, grass stains are particularly tough to contend with. This is because they are predominantly made of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is actually a dye stain.

Act Fast When Treating Grass Stains

Time is your best friend and worst enemy when dealing with grass stains. A fresh stain is easier to deal with than a dried one. Your first thing to do is to check the washing instructions. If it’s a dry clean only garment, make sure you point out the mark when you drop it off so your dry cleaner can be sure to treat it.

Treat Grass Stains Before Washing

If it’s machine washable, pre-treat the stain. You can use your favorite liquid laundry detergent, or there are some specific stain-removal products on the market. Make sure to look for ones that have enzymes that will break down the protein in the grass stain. Be sure to follow the instructions on the detergent so you don’t accidentally cause more damage to the garment.

Option One: All-Fabric Bleach

One way to treat a grass stain is after you’ve pre-treated the clothing, rinse it completely and then soak it in warm water with a cupful of all-fabric bleach for one hour. Rinse the clothing completely. Keep repeating this process until the stain is gone.

Option Two: Isopropyl Alcohol

Another option you can try is sponging the stain with isopropyl alcohol. This might remove the color on the clothing, so be very careful if you go this route; it’s a good idea to test it on a hidden area of the garment before you tackle the stain on the more prominent area. Sponge the alcohol onto the stain and then blot it with a clean, white towel until you can’t lift any more of the stain. 

Option Three: Vinegar

Alternatively, soak the garment in cold water. After you’ve removed any excess dirt, remove the clothing from the water. Soak for at least fifteen minutes in a mixture of one part white vinegar to two parts water. Rinse with cold water. 

Wash and Repeat if Necessary

After selecting your favorite option, complete the steps and wash the garment normally using laundry detergent that contains enzymes to break down the protein in the stain. Be sure to air-dry the clothing when removing a stain. The heat of the dryer will only set the stain more. You can repeat any of the above options to fully remove the stains.

Learn to Love Grass Stains

Of course, your best bet to deal with grass stains is to just embrace them. Rather than spending your time stressing out about how to get rid of them, your best strategy is to accept that they are going to happen, and instead focus on how to mitigate the damage. Before the kids head outside to play, make sure they’re wearing clothes you’re alright with getting dirty, torn, or stained. If need be, have them change first. After all, you’ve spent a lot of time and effort getting your lawn looking great, and you want everyone to be able to get out there and have fun with it!