You are having a dinner party and suddenly someone spills a plate of spaghetti on the table. Apart from soiling his clothes, spaghetti was also splattered on the tablecloth. How do you clean the stains left behind? Ketchup, marinara and other similar sauces contain a lot of oil and tomatoes. Both create stains that are difficult to clean. If you have clothes or tablecloths with old ketchup stains, learn how to clean new ones or old ones.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Cleaning Acrylic, Nylon, Polyester, Spandex Fabrics
Step 1. Scrape the ketchup off the cloth
You should remove the sauce from the surface of the cloth as quickly as possible without allowing it to sink further. Use a paper towel or rag to quickly wipe the ketchup off the surface of the cloth.
Step 2. Blot the stain with cold water
Start working with the sponge from the center outwards.
Step 3. Apply lemon or lime juice on the stain
You can use a sponge to apply lemon juice or cut a lemon, and rub it over the stain.
If the fabric is white, you can use white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide directly on the stain instead of lemon juice
Step 4. Use a stain remover product
Look for a stain remover, whether it's a stick, spray or gel, and dab on the stain. Let the stain remover product soak in for 15 minutes.
Step 5. Rinse the stain, then check if the stain is still there
Turn the cloth over and run cold water through the cloth on the back of the stain. Lift the cloth toward the light to see if there are any remaining stains.
Step 6. If the stain remains, soak the cloth
Soak for 30 minutes in a solution made of:
- 1 liter of warm water
- teaspoon liquid dish soap
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
Step 7. Rinse the cloth with water and dry it in the sun
Dry the stain in direct sunlight with the stained surface facing out. The sun's rays will break up any remaining stains.
Step 8. Wash the cloth
Follow the instructions on how to care for the fabric, and wash the fabric as usual.
Method 2 of 3: Cleaning New Stains
Step 1. Scrape the sauce off the clothes or cloth
Remove the sauce from the surface of the cloth as quickly as possible without allowing it to sink further. You can use a paper towel or rag to wipe off excess sauce.
Step 2. Place the stained cloth under a stream of cold water
Run the water behind the stained surface. You need to push the stain away from the fabric. Do not run water over the stain as this will push the stain further into the fabric.
Step 3. Scrub the stain with dish soap
Since ketchup contains oil, dish soap such as Sunlight or Mama Lemon can be used to remove stains. Apply enough soap to cover the entire surface of the stain and rub the cloth in a circular motion from the inside out.
- If the stained fabric can only be dry cleaned, do not do this step. Take the cloth to a local laundromat, show them the stain and let them clean it.
- Apply dish soap to the hidden areas of the fabric to make sure the soap won't damage the fabric. If the soap does damage the fabric, forget about dish soap and use regular laundry detergent.
Step 4. Rinse the dish soap thoroughly with water
If you rinse the back of the cloth, the stain will be pushed off.
Step 5. Gently wipe (don't rub) the stain with a sponge
Use a sponge or absorbent material such as a paper towel, and wipe the stain with cold water to remove it. If the fabric is white, you can apply mild bleach, white vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide with a sponge to remove the stain.
Step 6. Wash the cloth as usual and check to see if the stain remains
Lift the cloth up to the light and check for any remaining stains. If the stain remains, apply a stain remover product, either a stick, spray or gel on the stain. While the cloth is still wet, apply a stain remover product and allow the product to soak for 5 minutes, then wash the cloth again.
Step 7. Dry the stain in the sun
Dry the cloth in the sun, the stained side up, and allow the cloth to dry completely. The UV light will help break up any remaining stains.
Method 3 of 3: Cleaning Old Tomato Sauce Stains
Step 1. Wet the stain with water
This method is used to remove ketchup stains that have been on clothes or fabrics for a long time. You don't need to wet the entire garment, just the stained area.
Step 2. Scrub the stain with dish soap (no bleach)
First do a test on a hidden part of the garment to see if the dish soap changes the color or texture of the fabric. Then rub the dish soap gently on the stain that has been soaked in water.
Step 3. Rub an ice cube on the applied dish soap
Continue scrubbing the stain with detergent using an ice cube. Rub until you feel all the stain is gone.
Step 4. Gently wipe the stain with a sponge and vinegar
If the stain is still there, use a sponge and vinegar, and rub it over the stain and see if it lifts. The acid in the vinegar will help break up any remaining stains.
Step 5. Wash and hang clothes to dry
Follow the recommended care instructions, and wash clothes as usual. Dry the cloth in direct sunlight with the stain facing up. The UV rays in the sun will help break up any remaining stains.
Tips
- If possible, remove the stain immediately. If the stain doesn't go away right away, you can still try to clean it, but the success rate is higher the sooner you do it.
- You can apply the white towel method to new stains after soaking them in water. Use a clean towel, and dab on the stain and watch the towel to see how much of the stain has been removed. Continue to blot the towel until you see no more raised stains.
- Check the laundry instructions. If the clothes can only be dry washed, leave the washing process to a professional. Tell them what caused the stain and where it is.
