Getting juice on your clothes is an unpleasant occurrence, especially when the juice is made of dark fruits, like grapes.
While it can seem very difficult to get rid of those stains, don’t worry because there are plenty of ways to remove them fast and safely. Keep reading to find out all about them.
How To Remove Grape Juice Stains
The most important thing when removing grape juice stains is to act as soon as possible.
It is not impossible to remove the stains when they have dried out, but it can surely be more difficult to do so. Here are some of the proven, easy methods that you can choose to return your clothes back to normal.
White Wine
White wine is my favorite remedy for red and purple stains. Who would say that wine can be an amazing stain remover? Well, it definitely is. In the case of grape juice stains (and other similarly-colored stains, such as red wine), it works miracles!
You can use any white wine, but it is better if it is dry and not artificially sweetened.
The thing is, fruits such as grapes contain a substance called anthocyanin which gives them the dark, strong color they have. White wine is good at removing this substance and therefore the color and the stain.
The process of removing grape juice stains using white wine is quite simple too. Pour around half a cup of wine on the stain and let it dry. Make sure that the wine doesn’t spread to the areas of clothing that aren’t stained.
To avoid this, you can put the wine in a spray bottle and apply it by spraying. When the garment has dried, wash it by hand or in a washing machine like you normally would.
It’s good to use the highest temperature possible that the piece of clothing can be washed in without getting damaged (check the label).
Bleach
Bleach is an amazing product for several reasons – not only does it remove stains easily, but it also sanitizes your clothes and kills germs and bacteria successfully. You can safely use bleach on white clothes, but don’t hesitate to use it for colored clothes as well.
In order to do this, you just need to check if it is safe beforehand. Apply a small amount of bleach on a hidden part of the stained clothing piece.
Wait for 10 to 20 minutes and if there aren’t changes to the color you can use it on the stain too. If there are, opt for some other method instead.
If grape juice spilled on a small area of your garment, you should apply the bleach only to that area. You can do it by spraying or by pouring a few drops of it on the stain. Wait for around 10 to 20 minutes and then wash it regularly.
If the grape juice got spilled all over your T-shirt, dress, or whatever garment, you may want to soak it in a bleach solution. Mix one gallon of water with only a fifth of a cup of bleach.
Place your garment in the solution and leave it in for around five minutes. Wash it immediately after and let it dry to see if you got the stains out. Don’t use bleach for delicate fabric, like silk.
Hydrogen Peroxide
This is another, lighter solution that you can use to remove the grape juice stains. It works by breaking down the compounds that make stains visible – in this case, the purple color of grape juice. Using hydrogen peroxide is safe for almost all fabrics and colors.
It has a bleaching effect, so you should still try it out on a small section of your clothing that is not visible when worn. If the fabric doesn’t get damaged and if the hydrogen doesn’t cause discoloration, you can safely use it on the stain itself.
Spray a bit of hydrogen peroxide on the affected area of your garment. Wait for it to get absorbed for around half an hour. Wash immediately after and make sure to dry it thoroughly. The grape juice stain should be gone after this simple process.
Vinegar And Baking Soda
This powerful combination comes straight from your kitchen and it is just what you need for any stains you may have on your clothes, including the grape juice ones.
Vinegar is highly acidic, which helps dissolve the compounds responsible for the color of the substance that caused the stain. When mixed with baking soda, it becomes even more potent and allows you to not worry about stains anymore.
You should mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a tablespoon of vinegar. It’s best if you have white vinegar if you treat colored clothes because it doesn’t cause discoloration. Apply the paste to the stain and wait for around 20 minutes for it to work.
After the 20 minutes have passed, wash the garment like you normally would and dry it properly. If it didn’t get the whole stain out, feel free to repeat the process.
Testing the paste on an invisible part of your clothing is necessary here too. Before using any of the methods mentioned here, you should make sure that it doesn’t cause any damage or discoloration to your garment before applying it to its bigger and visible surface.
Baking Soda And Lemon Juice
Another acidic option that removes stains the same way as vinegar does is lemon juice. This natural component works as bleach and it is best to use on white clothes.
However, as mentioned, it’s possible to use lemon juice on the colored clothes as well, as long as it passes the safety test mentioned before.
The process is similar to the previous method. Mix one tablespoon of lemon juice with one tablespoon of baking soda. This amount can differ based on the size of the stain, but the proportion is 1:1 – you should put the same amount of both ingredients.
Apply the mixture to the stained area and dab on it with a piece of cloth for a few minutes. Leave it for around 20 minutes and then wash with detergent and water. The stain should be gone at this point!
Laundry Detergent And Dishwashing Detergent
Laundry detergent itself may not be potent enough to remove a grape juice stain, but combine it with a powerful dishwashing detergent and it will probably do the trick.
This is because dishwashing detergents have chemicals that are strong enough to remove a stain when combined with laundry detergent.
The process is simple as well – just mix a few drops of both detergents and apply to the stain. Dab on it for a few minutes using your fingers or a clean, white cloth. Leave it for around an hour so it can properly work, and then wash and dry thoroughly.
Stain Removal Products
If you don’t want to make pastes and mixtures for stain removal by yourself or if you don’t have the products needed for any of these methods, you can just use stain removal products from a store.
There are many good options to choose from when it comes to stain removal soaps. These soaps are often completely chemical-free and natural, so you don’t have to worry about your clothes getting damaged.
The exact instructions on how to use them depending on the manufacturer and the type of soap. However, you will probably need to rub the stain with the soap and then let it soak for some time before washing the garment and drying it.
Another option is using stain removal sprays. They are generally a bit more aggressive for clothes, but most of the materials can handle the ingredients well.
In this case, you will need to spray the stained area of the piece of clothing you want to clean. The waiting period depends on the spray that you are using, so you need to read the instructions carefully in order to avoid getting your clothes damaged.
Some of the stain removal products are made only for white, colored, or black clothes, so be sure to check twice before applying them to your garments.
If you spilled grape juice on some delicate material, you should probably avoid using the strong stain removal products, unless they are specifically made for the material you want to clean.
Summary
Spilling grape juice on your clothes can seem hopeless. Luckily, there are a lot of ways to quickly remove the stain and make your garment seem brand-new again. Whichever of the methods you choose, it’s important to test it beforehand to make sure that it is safe to use.
Another important point is to wash the garment at the highest temperature possible after you have applied one of the methods because stains are more difficult to remove at lower temperatures.
Choose less aggressive methods for more delicate materials and opt for stain removal products in case of stubborn stains. Let us know how it goes!
Jessica Oliver is a fashion enthusiast with more than ten years of experience in the industry. She previously managed her own clothing store in New York before becoming a mother of three. With a passion for sustainability and a desire to share clothing care and recycling tips.