Americans have been filling their pies with delicious, fresh-picked berries since the colonial era. Today, blueberry pie is one of the most popular pie flavors in the United States.
Inevitably, you'll end up with blueberry pie stains on napkins, tablecloths, or your bright white t-shirt. It's ok, we've got you! A blueberry stain doesn’t have to spell ruin for your favorite outfit. We’ll teach you how to remove blueberry stains from clothes in just four steps!
What Causes Blueberry Stains?
Blueberries are filled with a dark juice that commonly leave purple smudges on your hands and face. While it’s easy enough to wash your hands after eating, those purple smudges can turn to stubborn stains on your clothing. Blueberries also have a high natural sugar content, which can leave yellow stains behind. Blueberry stains are dark and can settle into clothing when left untreated, which is why it’s important to act quickly when it comes to how to get blueberry stains out of clothes.
How to Remove Blueberry Stains from Clothes
What you’ll need: Ultra Concentrated Stain & Odor Laundry Detergent, Oxi Booster Pods
Step 1: Run Under Cold Water
Rinse the back of the stain with cold water until you’ve flushed out as much of the tea as you can. Be sure to run the cold water through the back of the stain to help push the berry juice out of the fibers. This will get out as much of the stain as possible before moving on to treat it.
Step 2: Pretreat The Stain
Fill a clean sink or basin with warm water, and add a detergent that contains enzymes. We recommend our Ultra Concentrated Stain & Odor Detergent. Our Stain & Odor Detergent contains enzymes designed to digest the sugars and protein of the stain, while its pump makes it easy to dispense. Add the garment and soak for 5-10 minutes. You should see the stain begin to fade almost immediately. You can also add one pump of Ultra Concentrated Detergent directly to the stain and let sit before rinsing, if the stain is particularly stubborn!
Step 3: Wash
Once the stain is lifted, wash the item in the warmest water recommended by the care label. We suggest using a Stain & Odor Laundry Detergent Pod to double up on the enzyme’s stain-fighting action. Consider adding an Oxi Booster Pod for extra stain removal power and brightening as well, particularly when you need to get blueberry stain out of white or light colored clothing.
Step 4: Dry
When the wash is done and the stain is gone, dry the item as usual according to the care label. Be sure the stain is fully lifted before putting the garment in the dryer, as the heat from a dryer can cause any remaining stains to set further and be more difficult to remove in the future. Once the stain is fully gone, you can dry the item worry-free!
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions about how to remove blueberry stains from clothes? We’re here to help.
Are blueberry stains permanent?
Blueberries don't necessarily stain permanently, but they can if not treated in time. Beginning the blueberry stain removal as soon as possible will help remove the stains quickly and efficiently. It is also important to remember not to put the garment in the dryer until the stain is completely removed, as the heat can cause stains to set permanently.
How do you get purple berry stains out of clothes?
Berry stains are sugar based, so an enzyme-based cleaning product is the way to go. Enzyme-based products like Dropps Stain & Odor Laundry Detergent are designed to break down the sugars, starches, and proteins that make up most stains. The enzymes should eat away at the sugar in the stain and allow it to be lifted and washed away!
Does Vinegar Remove Berry Stains?
White vinegar is a great stain remover! White vinegar neutralizes red and purple stains, making it an ideal stain remover for berry stains. Combine white vinegar with a laundry detergent containing enzymes, like our Stain & Odor Laundry Detergent, and use as a pre-treatment stain fighting solution.
Does hydrogen peroxide remove berry stains?
Will peroxide remove berry stains? When it comes to berry stain removal, hydrogen peroxide can be a very useful tool! Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide to the stain. Allow it to sit, then blot away. The stain should lift away! Be sure to test the hydrogen peroxide in an inconspicuous place before using it as a stain remover, to be sure that it doesn’t stain or react with the fabric or dye of the garment.