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

Written by
Mary Marlowe Leverette 2018
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary has been writing professionally for more than 20 years and is a leading expert on fabric care and housekeeping.
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Mary Marlowe Leverette
Updated 03/06/20
How to Remove Mango Stains from Clothes and Carpet

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Whether sliced into a salad, made into a relish or pressed into a juice, mangoes are delicious and nutritious thanks to an abundance of vitamins and minerals. Unfortunately, they can leave a bit of a stain on clothes, carpet, and upholstery.

Stain type Tannin
Detergent type Heavy-duty laundry detergent or enzyme-based stain remover
Water temperature Cold to warm
Cycle type Varies by type of fabric

Project Metrics

Working time: 15 minutes

Total time: 2 hours

Before You Begin

If the garment is labeled as dry clean only, lift away any mango solids and blot the stained area with a dry white towel until the moisture is removed. Even if the area looks clean, head to the dry cleaner to point out and identify the stain. The mango can leave sugars in the fabric that will darken with time. If you are using a home dry cleaning kit, be sure to treat the stain with the provided stain remover before putting the garment in the dryer bag.

When treating mango stains on upholstery, if the upholstery is a vintage fabric or silk, remove any solids and blot up moisture then contact an upholstery cleaning specialist. 

What You'll Need

Supplies

  • Paper towel
  • Enzyme-based stain remover
  • Oxygen-based bleach

Tools

  • Dull knife or spoon
  • Soft-bristled brush
  • Washer or large sink

Warning

When treating a mango or any type of fruit or vegetable stain, never use a natural soap bar like Fels-Naptha or natural soap flakes. The reaction between the soap and tannins can make the stains more difficult to remove.

Instructions

  1. Remove the Mango Solids and Liquid

    Mango stains are much like any fruit stain. It's important to treat them as soon as possible to remove the tannin which causes the stain on fabrics.

    First, remove any excess pulp from the fabric with a dull knife or edge of a spoon. Do not wipe with a cloth because that will simply push the stain deeper into the fabric fibers. If the stain is mango juice, simply blot with a dry white towel or paper towel to absorb as much moisture as possible.

  2. Flush the Stained Area

    As soon as possible, flush the stained area with cold water. Hold the stained shirt or tablecloth with the wrong side of the fabric directly under a faucet with the cold water running full force.

  3. Wash Freshly Stained Item As Usual

    If the stain is fresh, simply washing the stained item as recommended on the care label with a good detergent may do the trick.

  4. Treat Older Mango Stains

    If the stain is older or has dried, use a stain remover spray or gel to pretreat the area. Work the stain remover into the mango stain with a soft-bristled brush and allow it to remain on the stain for at least fifteen minutes before washing. If you don't have a stain remover, use a bit of the heavy-duty liquid detergent for pretreating (Tide and Persil are considered heavy-duty with enough enzymes to break apart the stain). Wash the stained item in the hottest water recommended for the fabric.

  5. Check the Stained Area

    Always check the garment for any remaining stain before tossing it into a hot clothes dryer. The heat can set the stain permanently.

  6. Treat Set-in Mango Stains

To remove any stains that remain after washing, mix a solution warm water and oxygen-based bleach (brand names are OxiClean, Nellie's All Natural Oxygen Brightener or OXO Brite) following package directions. Completely submerge the stained garment and allow it to soak at least four hours or overnight. Then wash as usual.

Removing Mango Stains on Carpet and Upholstery

Use the same cleaning solutions and techniques recommended for cleaning carpet to remove mango stains from upholstery. Take extra care to not overwet the fabric because excess moisture in the cushion filling can cause problems. Always allow the fabric to air dry away from direct heat and sunlight.

What You'll Need

Supplies

  • Dishwashing liquid
  • Warm water
  • Paper towel

Tools

  • Dull knife or spoon
  • Small bowl or bucket
  • White cloth
  • Vacuum

  1. Lift Away Mango Solids and Liquid

    Use a dull knife or the edge of a spoon to lift any solid mango pieces from the carpet. Do not rub because that 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

    Mix a solution of one teaspoon dishwashing liquid with two cups of lukewarm water.

  3. Remove the Stain

    Dip a white cloth, sponge or paper towel into the solution and blot the mango stain. Keep moving to a clean area of the cloth as the stain is transferred out of the carpet.

  4. Rinse the Carpet

    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 solution out of the carpet because it can actually attract soil.

  5. Allow the Carpet to Air-dry

Allow the treated area of the carpet to air dry away from direct heat and then vacuum well to lift the carpet fibers.