Getting rid of grass stains is challenging due to the amount of chlorophyll in grass. The green pigment bonds to fabrics like cotton and does not go away easily with just water. It’s important to treat stains as soon as they happen. If you are out and about, ice directly on a stain can dilute the pigment and act as a quick solution until you can wash your clothes.

Depending on where you live can also determine how difficult removing a grass stain will be. Some of the dirtiest cities in the U.S. have contaminants in the air that pollute grass and dirt, making stubborn grass stains even harder to get out. Try a little white vinegar and baking soda on those harder-to-get-out stains. The chemical reaction of the vinegar and baking soda will aggregate and lift grime, while also expelling any odors.   

Cotton: Chlorophyll bonds to cotton fabrics easily, making grass stains hard to remove, especially on lighter pieces of clothing. You can’t just use water to treat grass stains –– use laundry detergent, and rub the stain to break down the pigment.

Denim: Denim is a durable fabric that can withstand a little grass stain. Get rid of stains on denim by soaking them in soapy water and giving them a light scrub. The best way to wash jeans includes soaking the stain in detergent for 45 minutes, using cold water only, and agitating the stain to remove buildup.

Polyester: When it comes to polyester, you want to be gentle with the fabric. Use softer chemicals like a water-vinegar solution to soak stains instead of over agitating the fabric.

1. Treat to Stains As Soon As Possible: The quicker you act when it comes to grass stains, the better the outcome. If possible, remove the soiled piece of clothing to get started on the grass stain removal process. The longer the stain sits in the fabric, the harder it will be to remove.

2. Treat the Stained Areas: Before you throw the garment into the wash, soak it in cold water. Pre-treat the stain with a stain remover or laundry detergent. Let the soap break down the stain and sit for at least 15 minutes.

3. Wash: Once you’ve allowed the stain remover to break down the grass stain as much as possible, then you can throw it in the washing machine. Do not use hot water –– this will only set the stain in more. Wash the piece of clothing in cold water with laundry detergent. You might need to repeat steps 2 and 3 until the stain is gone.

4. Dry: Air dry your clothing once the stain is gone. In the case that chlorophyll is still in the fabric of the clothing, air drying is safer than using the hot dryer if you need to repeat the previous steps.