Here’s how to remove detergent stains from clothes:
- 1. Rinse with cold water until it's residue-free
- 2. Soak in a mixture of lukewarm water, dish soap, and distilled white vinegar
- 3. Rewash with the correct amount of detergent (ideally a pre-measured, dye-free laundry pod)
Laundry detergent is supposed to clean your clothes. But if you're reading this, we're guessing your most recent wash backfired, and you've been left with laundry detergent stains on your clothes.
Corporations dye laundry detergent and other household chemicals to help with identification and prevent mixing up chemicals or using the wrong one. Normally, the dye is diluted enough not to stain your clothes. Unfortunately, it's all too easy for things to go awry on laundry day if you're using these products.
You don't want those vibrant blues and purples on your favorite shirt or best pair of jeans. Learn how to get detergent stains out of clothes—and prevent them once and for all.
3 Reasons You Get Detergent Stains On Your Clothes
Three main culprits lead to those stubborn detergent stains. Understanding these root causes will help you prevent these laundry mishaps in the future.
1. Using Liquid Detergent Instead of Laundry Pods
Liquid laundry detergent is the usual culprit behind that unintended tie-dye project. Here's why:
- Concentrated formula: Some liquid detergents can be highly concentrated, which means they pack a lot of cleaning power (and color) into a small amount of liquid. It's only when they mix with water that they're diluted enough not to stain your clothes.
- Dye overload: The bright colors in liquid detergents can transfer to your clothes if not properly diluted.
Laundry pods, on the other hand, are pre-measured and don't make contact with your clothes until there's already water in your machine, reducing the risk of staining.
2. Using Too Much Laundry Detergent
More isn't always better when it comes to laundry detergent. When you add too much detergent to your wash, it doesn't dilute enough.
Liquid detergents are designed to be diluted in enough water to not stain your clothes. If you use too much detergent, the ratio will be off, and the dye concentration will be higher, increasing the risk of staining.
3. Overloading Your Washing Machine
Stuffing your washer to the brim might seem efficient, but it can lead to detergent stains—not to mention it usually does a worse job of cleaning your clothes.
Overcrowding reduces the friction between clothes, which is necessary for your suds to move freely between clothes. And an overloaded machine might not rinse clothes thoroughly, leaving behind detergent residue that can stain.
How to Get Detergent Stains Out of Clothes
Got detergent stains? Don't panic. Here's how to banish those pesky blotches and restore your clothes to their former glory.
1. Act Fast
The sooner you tackle a detergent stain, the easier it'll be to remove. If you notice a stain right after washing, don't put the garment in the dryer—heat can set the stain and make it harder to remove.
2. Rinse with Cold Water
Flush the stained area with cold water. Hot water can set the stain, making it harder to remove. Keep rinsing until you don't see any more suds or color coming out of the fabric.
3. Pre-Treat the Stain
If the stain is still there, mix 1 quart of lukewarm water, ½ teaspoon of dish soap, and 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar. Soak the stained area and agitate it by rubbing the fabric together with your hands. Then rinse with cold water.
4. Machine-Wash as Usual
Toss your clothes back in the washing machine. This time, wash according to the care instructions, using a pre-measured laundry pod, and without overloading your washer.
5. Repeat if Necessary
Check that the stain is gone before putting it in the dryer. If the stain persists, don't lose hope. Repeat this process if necessary. Some stubborn stains might need a few treatments. You can also try a dedicated clothing stain remover if needed.
4 Tips to Prevent Laundry Detergent Stains
Okay, you've got your detergent stains out of your clothes. You don't want that to happen again. Here are four foolproof tips to prevent laundry detergent stains in the future.
1. Use Pre-Measured Laundry Pods
Ditch the guesswork and embrace the convenience of laundry pods. Here's why they're a game-changer:
- Perfect portions: Each pod contains just the right amount of detergent for an average load. No more eyeballing or over-pouring!
- Timed release: Pods are designed to dissolve once they're in contact with water, not your clothes. This reduces the risk of concentrated spots that can lead to staining.
The best-hidden secret: Laundry Sauce pods are not only pre-measured but also dye-free—eliminating the risk of detergent stains while packing a powerful cleaning punch.
2. Use the Right Amount of Detergent
If you're sticking with liquid detergent, remember this golden rule: less is more.
Modern detergents are highly concentrated. You need less than you think to get your clothes clean. And it's easier for your machine to rinse it all away, leaving no residue behind. Plus, using less detergent ensures it's properly diluted in the water. So you don't risk your wash becoming too concentrated with laundry detergent.
Stick with the recommendation on the bottle based on your load size and washing machine type.
3. Don’t Overload Your Washer
Give your clothes room to dance in in the washer.
When clothes can move freely, detergent gets distributed evenly, reducing the risk of concentrated spots. Plus, overloaded machines can't rinse as effectively, leaving behind detergent that can stain. And bonus: Your clothes will come out cleaner when they have space to agitate properly.
Pro Tip: Fill your washer—loosely—to about 3/4 full. If you have to stuff and squeeze, it's too much.
4. Clean Your Washing Machine
Your washing machine needs love too. A clean machine can help reduce laundry stains. Over time, detergent residue can accumulate in your washer, then transfer to your clothes. And a clean machine drains more efficiently, reducing the chance that detergent-laden water will redeposit on your clothes.
So clean your washing machine on a regular basis according to the manufacturer's instructions to prevent staining.
Common Questions About Laundry Detergent Stains
Still got burning questions about those pesky detergent stains? We've got you covered.
Why Does Laundry Detergent Stain Clothes?
- Dyes in detergents: Many detergents contain blue, purple, or green dyes. These can transfer to clothes if not properly diluted.
- Direct contact with clothes: If you use liquid detergent, it's usually added to the washing machine before the drum starts filling the water. So it comes into direct contact with fabric before getting diluted.
- Detergent overload: Using too much detergent is a common mistake. When you overdo it, your detergent might not dilute properly or dissolve completely, leaving residue on your clothes.
- Overcrowded washing machine: Stuffing your washer to the brim makes it difficult for detergent to distribute evenly or rinse clothes thoroughly, leaving behind residue that can make a stain.
Are Laundry Detergent Stains Permanent?
Laundry detergent stains are not permanent in most cases. However, the key to removing them is acting fast. If you catch the stain before drying the garment, you have a much better chance of removing it completely.
Does Rewashing Clothes Remove Detergent Stains?
Sometimes, yes! If you notice detergent stains right after a wash:
- Don't dry the clothes.
- Rinse the stained areas thoroughly with cold water.
- Rewash the items using the correct amount of detergent (remember, less is more!)—and ideally pre-measured, dye-free laundry pods instead.
Stay Stain-Free With Laundry Sauce
Now that you're armed with the knowledge to tackle and prevent detergent stains, laundry day should be a breeze. Remember: use the right amount of detergent, don't overload your machine, and keep it clean.
But why stress about detergent stains when you can avoid them altogether? That's where Laundry Sauce comes in. Our pre-measured, dye-free laundry pods take the guesswork out of laundry day:
- Perfect portions every time
- Timed-release in the wash
- Dye-free
- Powerful, concentrated formula that's tough on stains, gentle on clothes
Even better, Laundry Sauce levels up laundry day with luxurious fragrances like Egyptian Rose, Siberian Pine, and Italian Bergamot. So you look and smell sophisticated every time you get dressed.
Give Laundry Sauce a try and experience the luxury of fresh, stain-free clothes every time.
