Ketchup and tomato sauce on a white T-shirt

Short answer: Ketchup and tomato sauce are among the stains that frighten most on white, but they can often be removed if you act quickly. Scrape off the excess, rinse cold from the back, and wash following the care label before you let it dry.

Act while the stain is fresh

A fresh stain is far easier to remove than one that has dried in. Tomato contains pigments that sink deeper into the fibres the longer they sit. Take the T-shirt off as soon as it is practical, and begin on the stain straight away rather than waiting until evening.

Scrape first, never rub

Use a spoon or the back of a knife to lift the top layer of the sauce. Press gently with a piece of kitchen paper, but do not rub, because that pushes the colour deeper and spreads the stain. Work from the edge towards the centre so you do not make it bigger.

Rinse cold from the back

Hold the fabric under cold water so the water runs through the stain from the back. That pushes the colour out instead of in. Hot water can set a stain, so stay with cold. Rinse until the water runs almost clear and the stain has lightened.

Pre-treat with mild soap

Put a little liquid detergent or mild soap directly on the stain and let it work for about half an hour. Work it in gently with your fingers or a soft brush. Do not use harsh products, which can damage a soft surface. Rinse again and see whether the stain has faded.

Check the label before you wash

Read the care label in the T-shirt and follow it. Usually choose a low temperature, and avoid chlorine unless the label clearly allows it. Wash the T-shirt alone or with other whites so colours do not run. You can read more about washing at the long sleeve models, which follow the same logic.

Do not dry it until the stain is gone

Heat sets a stain, so avoid the tumble dryer, radiator and strong sun until you are sure it is completely gone. Hold the T-shirt up to the light when it comes out of the machine. If a trace remains, repeat the pre-treatment and wash again instead of drying it.

When the stain is stubborn

Sometimes a faint orange tinge is left after the first wash. Soak the T-shirt in cold water with a little detergent for a couple of hours, then wash again. Let it dry in daylight, because light can fade a faint tinge. Give it time and do not rush.

Avoid the next stain

Nobody can avoid every stain, but you can make them less dramatic. Keep a napkin at hand when you eat sauce, and change the T-shirt if it gets hit. If you have several white T-shirts, you can look at bamboo sweat for men and women and the range for men to build a wardrobe in more forgiving colours.

Frequently asked questions

Should I use hot or cold water on ketchup?

Use cold water first. Heat can set the stain. Only wash following the care label once the stain has been rinsed and pre-treated.

May I rub the stain?

No, do not rub, because it pushes the colour into the fabric and spreads the stain. Scrape off the excess and press gently with kitchen paper instead.

What do I do if the stain does not come out in the first wash?

Do not dry the T-shirt. Repeat the pre-treatment, soak it in cold water for a couple of hours, and wash again following the care label.

See our range of bamboo t-shirts for men.