Grass stains
Short answer: Grass contains chlorophyll, a pigment that binds to the fibre, so water alone rarely works. Treat the stain with liquid detergent or rubbing alcohol before you wash. The sooner you start, before the stain dries in, the better the chance it comes out completely.
What chlorophyll does
The pigment in grass is partly fat soluble, which is why water alone rarely works. You need something that can dissolve both the colour and the plant sap. Chlorophyll binds to the fibres, and the longer it sits, the stronger its hold. That goes for light and dark fabric alike, so speed matters.
Remove the loose bits first
Shake or brush off dry grass and soil before you do anything else. Do not rub, because that presses the plant sap deeper into the fabric. If the stain is fresh, blot it with a clean cloth so it does not spread. Only when the loose material is gone does it make sense to move on to a cleaning product.
Rubbing alcohol from the inside
Put a sheet of kitchen paper under the stain and dab rubbing alcohol onto the fabric from the inside with a clean cloth. Alcohol dissolves the pigment, so it is pulled into the paper instead of the fibres. Change the paper when it turns green. Test on a hidden spot first. See also our bamboo pajamas for men.
Liquid detergent afterwards
Put liquid detergent straight onto the stain and leave it for about twenty minutes. It loosens the traces of plant sap the alcohol did not reach. Massage gently with your fingers rather than rubbing hard, so the soft fabric is not worn. Then rinse the stain in cold water before the garment goes into the wash.
Rinse cold before washing
Rinse cold until the water runs clear, and look at the stain before you wash. If a green shadow is still there, repeat the treatment. Wash only when the stain is gone or nearly gone, because heat in the machine and the dryer can set the rest. Always follow the care label, and do not choose a warmer wash than needed.
On white fabric
On white fabric, an oxygen based product can take the last of the colour if you follow the instructions on the pack. Read the symbol on the care label first, and never use chlorine on bamboo viscose, as it can damage the fibre. Coloured clothes should not get an oxygen based product without a test on a hidden spot. See also bamboo clothing for women.
When the stain is on the knee
Grass stains on knees and elbows are the most common, because we kneel and sit on the lawn. The method is the same, but put kitchen paper inside the leg or sleeve so the alcohol does not soak through to the other side. If you are wearing sweatpants, treat only the outer side. See bamboo sweatpants for men.
No dryer until the stain is gone
A dryer or a radiator sets a grass stain for good. So hang the garment up wet and look at it in daylight. If green remains, treat and wash again. It can take two or three rounds, but that is better than a stain that never comes out and stays in the fabric for good.
A few extra tips
Deal with the stain quickly, and check whether grass or leaves are stuck in pockets, folds and seams. Clothes with a little stretch should not be rubbed or pulled during treatment. Use the same products each time so you learn how your fabric reacts, and skip strong chemicals if a mild product does the job.
Frequently asked questions
Do grass stains come out completely
Often, if you treat them before they dry in. The longer the stain sits, the harder it gets, so start with alcohol and liquid detergent as soon as you can.
Should you rub
Dab rather than rub. Rubbing presses the colour deeper into the fibres and can wear the soft fabric, so use clean, soft cloths and kitchen paper to calm the stain and soak up the colour.
What if the stain is on the knee
Same method. Put kitchen paper under the fabric, dab with rubbing alcohol from the inside, then use liquid detergent. Change the paper as you go so the colour is not drawn back into the fabric.
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