Mud and soil
Short answer: Let the mud dry completely, then knock off the dry part. Wet mud is smeared and pressed into the fibres, while dry mud can be removed almost entirely. Then rinse cold from the inside, put liquid detergent on what is left, and wash as usual.
Why let it dry first
Wet mud is a mix of water and soil particles, and the particles can be pushed deeper into the fabric if you rub. Dried mud is a crust that falls off when you bend the fabric or tap it. It sounds almost too simple, but that is exactly why the method works so well.
How long does it take
Drying time depends on how thick the mud is and how warm it is indoors. It usually takes a few hours, and the stain should be fully hard and pale before you touch it. Do not put the garment on a radiator, because heat can bake the soil particles into the fabric if they are still a little damp.
Knock and brush
When the mud is completely dry, you can knock the garment out outdoors or brush it with a soft brush. Bend the fabric slightly so the crust cracks and falls off. Do not use a hard brush, because it can wear the soft fabric. Most of the soil falls off, and that makes the rest of the job much easier.
Rinse from the inside
Next, rinse cold from the inside so the water pushes the rest of the soil out the way it came in. Avoid warm water, because heat can tint the fabric yellow and set the colour of the soil. Keep going until the water runs clear. See also bamboo dressing gown for men if yours got caught in the garden.
Liquid detergent on the rest
Put liquid detergent on the areas where a shadow is still left, and leave it for about twenty minutes. Massage gently with your fingers and rinse again in cold water. Detergent dissolves the fine soil colour that could not be knocked off, and it works best before the fabric has had time to dry again.
Wash as usual
When most of it is gone, the garment can be washed as usual following the care label. Check the stain before the garment goes in the dryer, because heat can set a remaining shadow. If a little is left, treat and wash again. Two short rounds are better than one hard treatment that wears the soft bamboo fabric.
If a shadow remains
A faint shadow often means the finest soil particles are sitting in the fabric. Treat again with liquid detergent and let it work a little longer. Do not rub hard, and do not use a stiff brush. See also bamboo sweatpants for men and bamboo clothing for women, which often pick up mud at the knees and ankles.
Reddish soil and iron
Reddish or orange soil contains iron, and iron can leave a shadow that does not come out with ordinary detergent. Treat a stain like that as a rust mark, and read our guide to rust to see how. Do not wait too long, because the soil sets harder the longer it stays in the fabric.
How not to make it worse
Avoid rubbing wet mud, using warm water and drying the garment before the stain is gone. It helps to take the garment off as soon as you get home and leave the mud to dry somewhere it is not in the way. Then you have more time to deal with the stain when it suits you.
Frequently asked questions
How long should the mud dry
Until it is fully hard and pale, usually a few hours. If it is still dark and damp, wait a little longer, because wet mud is smeared and pressed into the fibres if you touch it.
Can you rinse wet mud
Rinse from the inside with cold water if you like, but do not rub it. The water pushes the soil out the way it came in, while rubbing presses the particles deeper into the fabric where they are harder to remove.
What about reddish soil
Iron in the soil can leave a shadow. Treat it as a rust mark rather than an ordinary soil stain, and be patient, because it can take an extra round of treatment before the colour is gone.
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