Grass stains on light clothes

Short answer: Grass is a dye stain. Treat it with a little mild washing up liquid or surgical spirit on a cloth, dab from the edge inwards, and then wash the garment at 40 degrees.

Dye rather than dirt

The green colour from grass bonds to the fibre like a dye, not like ordinary dirt. That is why water alone rarely works, however much you rinse. On light clothing even a small trace is easy to see. This also applies to women's bamboo joggers, where knees and seat often pick up grass.

Why grass stains are mixed

A grass stain is rarely just green dye. There is often soil and small bits of plant sitting on top of the fibre as well. Brush off the loose dirt first, once the stain is dry. Then only the dye is left to deal with, and you avoid rubbing soil deeper into the fabric.

Spirit or washing up liquid

Both mild washing up liquid and surgical spirit loosen the dye from the fibre. Washing up liquid is the gentlest and usually close at hand. Spirit works faster on dye but can affect the colour of some fabrics. Always test on a hidden spot first, such as inside a seam on bamboo sweatwear.

Dab from the edge inwards

Put the product on a clean, light cloth and dab the stain from the edge towards the centre. That stops it spreading. Do not rub hard, as it can wear the surface of soft fabrics. Move to a clean part of the cloth once it picks up colour, and repeat until no more green comes off.

Let it work

After dabbing, you can leave a little washing up liquid on the fabric for ten to fifteen minutes. That gives it time to soak in and loosen the last of the dye. Then rinse the stain from the inside with lukewarm water and check what is left before the garment goes in the machine.

Wash at 40 degrees

Once treated, the garment can be washed at 40 degrees with similar colours. Turn it inside out first. A normal wash alone rarely removes a grass stain completely, but after pretreatment the machine handles the rest. The same goes for Copenhagen Bamboo bestsellers, which get worn a lot.

Check before drying

Always look at the stain before drying. Heat from a tumble dryer or radiator can make a trace harder to remove later. If a faint green shadow remains, repeat the treatment and wash again. Air drying is the gentlest option for soft fabrics anyway, stain or no stain.

When the stain is old

An old grass stain can be harder to shift, because the dye has had time to bond. Repeat the treatment a few times and be patient. Avoid harsh products that can bleach or damage the fabric. A faint shadow often fades a little more with each wash, so it is worth a few attempts.

Frequently asked questions

Why are grass stains so difficult

Because they are made of several things at once, green dye, soil and plant matter. Each part needs its own treatment before the stain is fully gone.

Can you use bleach

Only on white fabric, and with care. On coloured fabric it leaves a pale patch instead, which cannot be undone afterwards.

Should the stain be treated before washing

Yes. A normal wash alone rarely removes a grass stain fully. Pretreating with washing up liquid or spirit does most of the work before the machine.