How to Remove Pollen Stains With Household Products

Instructions

1. Shake Out the Pollen

   Shake out the stained garment outdoors to remove as much pollen as possible. Hold the stained area face down so the pollen doesn't contact other parts of the clothing.

2. Lift the Pollen With Tape

   Wrap masking or Scotch tape, sticky-side-out, around a few fingers, gently press the tape onto the stain, and lift the pollen from the surface. The more surface pollen you can remove, the more likely you'll be able to remove the stain entirely.

3. Rinse and Soak With Cold Water

   Rinse the stained area with cold water, running the faucet through the underside of the fabric. This will gently push the pollen away from the material. When you've removed as much of the stain as possible by rinsing, soak the garment in a washtub or sink full of cold water for 30 minutes.

4. Rinse Again

   Rinse the fabric again to ensure you are removing as much of the pollen as possible. If necessary, soak the garment again. You may repeat this as many times as you see fit.

5. Apply Stain Remover

   Apply your favorite stain removal product before washing. Let it sit for 10 minutes or as directed.

6. Wash as Usual

   Wash the garment in the hottest water advised on its care label. Hot water will help activate the stain remover, but ensure it isn't so hot that it damages your clothing or sets the stain.

7. Air Dry

   Check for the stain before drying. Pollen stains may need several treatments to make them entirely disappear. If the stain remains after cleaning, repeat the above steps before drying the garment. Sometimes it's hard to see if a stain is completely gone while the garment is wet. To be sure, you can hang it to dry in a cool room and examine it afterward. Do not use a machine dryer until the stain has vanished.

When to Call a Professional

If the garment is labeled as dry clean only, take the item to the dry cleaner as soon as possible and point out and identify the stain. The same applies to a stain that damages a vintage garment; you need to contact a professional cleaner, or else you are likely to do more damage if you try to remove the stain yourself.

Additional Tips for Handling Pollen Stains

If the pollen stain persists despite multiple rounds of cleaning, you can try rubbing alcohol on the stain, blotting it with a clean white cloth. Be sure to test for colorfastness in an inconspicuous clothing area before using the alcohol on the stain. Rinse the area thoroughly with water before washing the item.