How to Remove Berry Stains From Clothes, Carpet, and Upholstery

How to Remove Berry Stains From Clothing

1. Lift the Solids

   Lift away any berry solids from the fabric's surface with a dull knife or the edge of a credit card. Do not rub because that will press the stain deeper into the fibers. If you can't wash the garment immediately, dip a paper towel or white cloth in plain water and blot the stain.

2. Flush With Cold Water

   Hold the stain under a faucet of running cold water. Flush from the opposite or back side of the fabric to force out the stain.

3. Pretreat the Stain

   If the berry stain has dried, use a stain remover to pretreat the stain. Work the stain remover into the stain with a soft-bristled brush (or old toothbrush) and allow it to remain on the stain for at least 15 minutes before washing. If you don't have a stain remover, dab heavy-duty liquid detergent on the stain to pretreat it.

   Tip

   Never use natural bar soap or soap flakes for cleaning berry stains since they make tannin stains more difficult to remove.

4. Wash With Heavy-Duty Detergent

   Wash the garment using a heavy-duty detergent (Tide and Persil are considered heavy-duty and contain enough enzymes to break apart the stain). Use the hottest water recommended on the item's care label.

5. Check the Stain Before Drying

   After washing, always check clothes to ensure no stains remain before putting them in the dryer. The high heat of the dryer may permanently set the stains. If a stain remains, use a bleach soaking method.

6. Soak Tough Stains

   Some berry stains may need to be treated with bleach to remove lingering color. You can use chlorine bleach on natural white fiber (cotton and linen) garments and table linens. Mix 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach per 1 gallon of water. Soak for 15 to 30 minutes before rinsing well.

   For white synthetic fabrics or colored clothes, use oxygen-based bleach instead. Following the specific product's directions, mix a solution of warm water and oxygen-based bleach. Completely submerge the stained items and allow them to soak for at least four hours or overnight. Then wash as usual.

How to Remove Berry Stains From Carpet and Upholstery

To remove berry stains from carpet and upholstery, use the same cleaning products and instructions. Take extra care not to over-saturate the cushions with the cleaning or rinsing solutions, which can cause moisture or mold problems in the future.

1. Remove Any Berry Solids and Liquids

   Use a dull knife or the edge of a spoon to lift any solids from the carpet. Do not rub since it will push the stain deeper into the fibers. Next, use a white paper towel or old white cloth to blot up as much of the liquid as possible. Try to work from the outside edge of the stain toward the center to keep the stain from spreading and getting larger.

2. Mix a Cleaning Solution and Blot the Stain

   Mix a solution of 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid with 2 cups of lukewarm water. Dip a white cloth, sponge, or paper towel into the solution and blot the berry stain. Keep moving to a clean area of the cloth as the stain comes out of the carpet.

3. Rinse by Blotting With Water

   When no more stain is transferred, dip a clean white cloth in plain water and "rinse" by blotting the stain again. It is important to rinse the detergent out of the carpet because it can attract soil.

4. Treat Persistent Stains

   If the stain remains, mix a solution of oxygen-based bleach in cool water following package directions. Dip a clean sponge into the solution or use an eye dropper to apply it to the stain. Working from the outside edge of the stain toward the center, work the solution into the carpet. Do not overwet the area. Allow the solution to remain on the stain for at least 30 minutes before blotting away with a dry towel or cloth.

   Instead of oxygen-based bleach, you can also use hydrogen peroxide to remove the berry stain. Place a few drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide using an eye dropper onto the stained area. Let it work for one hour and then blot away. No need to rinse; hydrogen peroxide converts to water once exposed to light. Repeat if necessary.

5. Air Dry and Vacuum

   Once the stains are gone, use a dry clean white cloth to blot away moisture. Allow the carpet to air dry completely and vacuum to restore the pile.

Additional Tips for Handling Berry Stains

If you'd rather use natural bleaching agents instead of commercial bleach products, substitute 1 gallon of water and 1 cup of white distilled vinegar for the bleaching soak for white clothing items. For colored fabrics, use equal parts water to hydrogen peroxide. Always test an inconspicuous spot first to be sure there is no unwanted change to the carpet or upholstery color.

If you don't have any products on hand, try using boiling water. Slowly flush the stain from the opposite side to reverse the stain from penetrating deeper into the fibers.