How to Remove Pollen Stains With Household Products
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/remove-pollen-stains-1901049_final-246f2d3a31914555a71148da858424bb.png)
The Spruce / Joules Garcia
Pollen stains on clothing are a regular yet frustrating part of spring and summer weather. Fortunately, there are at-home, all-natural measures you can take to remove pollen stains from fabric. Under a microscope, you can see that pollen has structures that help it attach to plants. These latching structures work perfectly for pollinating, but make removal from clothing challenging. Be sure to avoid touching the pollen or attempting to brush or wipe it off; you'll only spread the powdery substance and work it deeper into the fabric. Check out the following steps to remove pollen stains from your clothing at home.
Stain type | Plant-based |
Detergent type | Standard laundry detergent |
Water temperature | Hot |
Cycle type | Varies by fabric |
Click Play to Learn the Best Way to Remove Pollen Stains
Before You Begin
Because you want to remove the pollen without touching it and without letting the substance touch other areas of the clothing, begin to remove the stain while still wearing the garment. If you must take it off, remove the item very carefully, without letting it fold over or touch other areas of the garment or another stainable surface.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/remove-pollen-stains-1901049-03-edbbdd75525c4a17bcc07f07b06a410e.jpg)
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Washtub
Materials
- Masking tape or Scotch tape
- Laundry stain remover
- Laundry detergent
Instructions
Instructions
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Apply Stain Remover
Apply your favorite stain removal product before washing. Let it sit for 10 minutes or as directed.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Will lily pollen stains come out?
Some lily pollen stains are very pale and easy to get rid of in a cold water soak. Orange lily stains can be a little trickier and might require an application of rubbing alcohol if stain remover and laundering don’t work.
-
Does yellow pollen come out of clothes?
Vivid yellow pollen is prone to making noticeable stains on clothing, but it can be removed. The key is not to wipe or rub the stain to spread it and embed it farther into the fabric fibers. Take your time to shake off as much as possible, and then lift more pollen with tape to lighten the stain prior to rinsing, treating, and washing.
-
How do you get pollen off outdoor cushions?
Because outdoor furniture is made to stand up to the elements, you typically can just hose off pollen. For a more thorough cleaning, you can add a few drops of dish soap to a spray bottle of water and then scrub the furniture with the solution.