How to Remove Grass Stains (Even if They’re Set In!)

Figuring out how to remove grass stains is one of the trickiest laundry challenges. Those stubborn green blemishes seem to latch right on to light-colored clothing.

Plus, you’ve probably heard all sorts of anecdotes about what will remove grass stains that leave you with more questions than answers. Can you remove grass stains with vinegar? Can dry cleaning remove grass stains? Does hydrogen peroxide remove grass stains? Does lemon juice remove grass stains? It can make doing the laundry an overwhelming experience.

Fortunately, once you know a few simple life hacks for how to remove grass stains from khaki pants, shoes, football jerseys and other garments, you’ll be able to make your family’s clothes look pristine. Here’s the best way to remove grass stains, according to the experts.

How to Remove Grass Stains

There’s no magic bullet for how to remove stubborn grass stains. It’s going to require the right cleaning products and some elbow grease. Understanding what kind of stains come from grass can help you get started.

“Grass is protein and organic matter,” said Caroline Topperman, a style and fashion blogger at Style on the Side. “Therefore, it’s best to start by soaking the stain in cold water before applying anything else.”

Once the garment is thoroughly saturated with water, you’ll need to use cleaning agents to scrub away the stain.

“There are solvents that can remove grass stains, like white vinegar, rubbing alcohol and even bleach. Start with water and detergent to loosen the stain before relying on more extreme measures,” said Topperman. “You can try dabbing rubbing alcohol on the stain and rinsing your garment with water. There are some fabrics which can be ruined by bleach, so I would only use it after a spot test.”

The fabric and garment you’re trying to clean will determine which type of solvent you should use. We’ll explain how to remove grass stains from blue jeans, baseball pants and shoes below.

In general, when it comes to how to how to remove grass stains on shoes and clothes, you’ll want to apply the solvent directly to the stain and gently scrub it with a moist rag or toothbrush until it starts to fade.

“The key is to keep the stain moist so that it doesn’t set because that makes it much more difficult to remove,” she said. “In addition, make sure that the stain has completely lifted before putting your clothing in the dryer or you risk it setting permanently.”

How to Remove Grass Stains From Shoes

When your kids were little, you probably figured out how to remove grass stains from feet after summer days playing in the backyard. But now that they’re older and getting involved with sports, you might be wondering how to get rid of grass stains on white shoes.

To try Topperman’s method for how to get rid of grass stains on white Converse, tennis shoes and other light-colored footwear, you’ll need water, a toothbrush, laundry detergent and a cleaning solution. You may also need distilled white vinegar and toothpaste.

Here’s how to remove grass stains from white shoes quickly and easily.

Use a damp cloth to wet the stain and remove any dirt or debris from the shoe.
Mix one part laundry detergent to three parts water, then apply the solution to the stain.
Use a toothbrush to gently scrub the stain.
Apply a cleaning product, like Quick ’n Brite, if the stain isn’t going away.
Still seeing green? Use a few drops of white distilled vinegar to remove it.
Finally, use a clean, dry cloth to remove the rest of the stain and excess moisture.

Voila! Your shoes will look like you’ve never stepped foot on a freshly cut lawn.

How to Remove Grass Stains From Jeans

There’s nothing more annoying than noticing a big green streak on your favorite denim pants. As soon as you see it, you’ll be trying to figure out the best way to remove grass stains from jeans.

The amount of time it takes to clean your jeans will depend on how long the stain’s been there. If the blemish is fresh, there’s any easy way for how to get rid of grass stains on jeans quickly.

“Generously wet your jeans with rubbing alcohol using a sponge or cotton swab,” said Dean Davies, a professional upholstery cleaning technician at Fantastic Services. “After the stained area is completely dry, rinse it with cool water. Apply a small amount of liquid detergent to the affected area and rub it in for at least five minutes. Then rinse with cold water and allow the fabric to air dry.”

Repeat as necessary until the stain has vanished, then toss your jeans in the laundry as normal. That method for how to remove grass stains on jeans should leave your denim spotless.

However, you might need to put in some extra effort (and use some unlikely cleaning tools!) if the stain’s been around for awhile. Some people wonder: Can toothpaste remove grass stains? Yes, and it’s a great cleaning agent if you’re trying to find out how to remove set-in grass stains from jeans.

“Apply a dollop of toothpaste to the jeans and gently rub away the stain. It might take a few tries,” said Topperman.

How to Remove Grass Stains From Clothes

Ever find yourself scouring the Internet to figure out how to remove grass stains from clothing? The sheer volume of techniques can be exhausting to go through. Fortunately, we asked Topperman to explain how to remove grass stains from khakis, T-shirts and other everyday garments — and her method actually works.

Below are the three steps for how to remove grass stains from pants and shirts quickly and easily.

Soak the stain for 15 minutes in a solution of two parts water to one part white vinegar.
Take a clean white rag and gently dab the stain.
Wash the stained pants or top with an enzyme-based laundry detergent. The enzymes will help lift the protein off the fabric.

Repeat the above steps as necessary until the stains are gone.

How to Remove Grass Stains From Baseball Pants

Timing is everything if you want to know the best way to remove stains from baseball pants and other sportswear. When asked how to remove grass stains from football pants, Davies was adamant that you should deal with it right away.

Why? Most sportswear is made from synthetic material that can be especially sensitive to permanent stains. Here’s Davies’ go-to strategy for how to remove grass stains from football jerseys, baseball pants and other athletic clothing. (And if you were curious about how to remove grass stains with baking soda, here’s what you need to know!)

How to remove grass stains from polyester baseball pants

Mix three tablespoons of baking soda and two tablespoons of water to form a paste.
Apply a thick layer of the paste over the stained area and let the solution dry.
Combine a half cup of white vinegar, one cup of water and one tablespoon of liquid dish soap in a bowl.
Apply a small amount of the mixture over the affected area and scrub the grass stain using a toothbrush.
Rinse the garment with warm water and let it air dry.

Can bleach remove grass stains from white baseball pants? Yes! Simply follow the above method, then place the pants in the washing machine with 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach.

How to Remove Set-In Grass Stains

It has happened to everyone: You’re going through a pile of dirty clothes and come across a shirt with a severe grass stain that must have occurred weeks ago. How are you going to get this out now?

The good news is that a set-in stain might not necessarily be permanent, but you’ll need to take swift action to get rid of it, said Davies. He has some tips for erasing set-in grass stains.

Wondering how to remove set-in grass stains from clothes? Follow these five tips to get it done effectively.

Make a solution of two parts hydrogen peroxide and one part liquid dish soap. Put it in a spray bottle and shake well to combine.
Spray the cleaning solution to the stained area and let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
Place the garment in a sink filled with warm water and a cup of all-fabric bleach. Let it sit for at least three hours (or overnight).
Put the garment in the washing machine and run it through a normal wash cycle using detergent.
During the rinse cycle, add a cup of distilled white vinegar to brighten and soften the fabrics. Air dry the clothes.