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Say Goodbye to BBQ Sauce Stains: Expert Tips for Cleaning Bandanas

Barbecue lovers can be messy eaters, and stained bandanas are the evidence. Instead of throwing away a bbq-soaked bandana, try these expert tips to get rid of sauce stains and keep your favorite piece of fabric alive!

Updated 20 Jun 2023

By Matej Kramberger

Removing Fresh BBQ Sauce

Removing fresh barbecue sauce from a bandana should be done as soon as possible. The trick is to blot, don’t rub. Using a damp cloth or paper towel, start by dabbing at stain gently until the majority of the sauce has been removed. Then, pour a small amount of club soda onto the spot and let it sit for a few minutes. Use the cloth or towel to gently blot spot until you’ve removed the remaining sauce.

Getting Rid of Set-in BBQ Sauce Stains

If you’re dealing with a set-in stain, the process is a little bit different. Start by soaking the bandana in a bucket with warm water and some laundry detergent. Be sure to agitate the fabric around in the water to help loosen the stain. After soakiing it for about an hour, move the bandana into the washing machine on a cold cycle. You can also add a scoop of OxiClean to washing machine to help tackle tough stains. Once the cycle has finished, run the bandana through one additional cold cycle just to make sure all of the detergent is out. Hang up and dry the fabric and see if the stain has been fully removed. If not, repeat the process.

Extra Tips for Clean Bandanas

Some people swear by using a gentle bleach solution while hand-washing a BBQ-stained bandanas. When using this method, be sure fabric can handle bleach and always use it in a well-ventilated area.

For heavily-set stains, you may have to rely on the miracle of vinegar – soak the fabric in a solution of vinegar and water (50/50 ratio) before laundering to help break the stain down further.

Keeping Your BBQ-Stained Bandanas Safe

One of the best ways to save your favorite stained bandana is to pre-treat the fabric when you’re cooking. Creating a barrier between the sauce and fabric can go a long way in preventing hard-set stains. Before cooking, spray the fabric with a combination of water and white vinegar. This will act as a protective layer while still allowing the flavor of the sauce to permeate your bandana.

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