How to Get Tomato Sauce Stains Out of Clothes & Fabric

While we love tomato sauce stirred into a recipe or paired alongside our favorite dish, it’s never fun when it accidentally lands on our clothes and leaves a stain. Red Gold Tomatoes has created a guide for how to remove tomato sauce out of clothing!

The Importance of Quick Action

When it comes to removing tomato sauce stains, the most important step is quick action. With tomato sauce comes rich pigments and oils that can unfortunately seep into fabric fibers, becoming deeply embedded. This is why immediate action is so important when it comes to dealing with tomato sauce spills and stains.

Tomato Sauce Stain Removal Techniques for Different Fabrics

Here are some of our favorite stain removal techniques and tips to help you remove tomato sauce stains successfully.

Cotton Fabrics

As cotton is an extremely durable fabric, it is considerably easy to treat. To remove tomato sauce stains on cotton, follow these steps:

1. Remove excess sauce from clothes or fabric with a dull spoon or knife.

2. Rinse the affected area with cold water. From the back of the fabric, use your towel to push the stain out.

3. Apply a liquid laundry detergent or Dawn®  directly to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes.

4. Gently rub the fabric together to loosen the stain.

5. Wash the fabric or clothing item in cold water. Before drying, check for any other stains. 

Synthetic Materials

Synthetic fabrics like spandex, nylon, and polyester are typically resistant to many stains, including tomato sauce. If you do get a tomato stain on a synthetic fabric, however, here is how to treat it:

1. Scrape off any excess sauce.

2. Rinse the tomato stain under cold running water.

3. Apply a stain remover, Dawn®, or liquid laundry detergent directly to the stain.

4. Wash the clothing item in cold water. Before drying, check for any other stains.

Delicate Fabrics

Delicate fabrics like silk and wool will require additional, special care. To treat tomato stains on these fabrics, follow these steps:

1. With a clean cloth or paper towel, gently blot the stain on the affected clothing item.

2. Make sure you don’t rub or scrub the stain as this can damage the fabric.

3. If this doesn’t work, read the care label to see if the fabric required hand washing or professional cleaning.

Additional Tips for Successful Tomato Sauce Stain Removal

We want to mention a few more stain removal tips that will no doubt help you on your journey to stain-free clothes and fabrics!

Using Vinegar and Baking Soda

1. Start by mixing equal parts of white vinegar and water.

2. Next, apply the mixture to the stain and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

3. Once that’s complete, blot the stain with a clean cloth.

4. Then, create a paste of baking soda and water and gently rub it onto the stain.

5. Finally, rinse the fabric with cold water and check for any remaining stains.

Lemon Juice as a Natural Stain Remover

1. First, begin by squeezing lemon juice onto the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes.

2. Then, rinse the fabric with cold water.

3. If the stain still remains, apply a small amount of salt to the area and gently rub it.

Hydrogen Peroxide for Tough Stains

For particularly stubborn stains, you might want to try this method using hydrogen peroxide:

1. To begin, start by mixing one-part hydrogen peroxide with one-part Dawn® dishwashing liquid.

2. Next, apply the mixture to the stain. Just a reminder to be careful with colored fabrics.

3. Then gently rub the fabric or use a soft brush.

4. Finally, rinse with cold water.

Make sure to check the care label on your clothing for specific cleaning instructions. This will vary from fabric to fabric and can give you a better idea about how to properly clean the item. Avoid using hot water or heat when you’re first attempting any stain removal. Heat can set the stain and make it harder to remove. Before using any cleaning product, it’s important to do a patch test on a non-affected area of the fabric to ensure that your chosen method doesn't cause further damage.

Red Gold Tomatoes Makes Meals Memorable

Getting tomato stains on your clothes is no fun. However, there is one place we absolutely love tomato sauce – in your food! At Red Gold Tomatoes, our delicious, flavorful tomato sauce products are always made with all-natural ingredients. We create each of our sauces with you in mind, helping you to create both classic and new recipes that everyone will love!

To shop our Red Gold Tomatoes products or speak to our knowledgeable team, please contact us today!