The Ketchup Stain Cleanup: How to Get Out That Stubborn Mess
No matter if you’re at home or out to eat, it seems that ketchup stains just have a way of showing up on clothing and other fabric surfaces. But while ketchup is known for it’s tenacious stain-causing properties, it doesn’t have to be permanent. Here’s a helpful guide to getting out those ketchup stains so that you can get back to enjoying your meal.
Updated 01 Jul 2023
By Jacobim Mugabe
Pre-treatment and Soak
To get rid of ketchup stains on tops, start by gently blotting the stained area with cold water and a clean cloth or sponge. If this doesn’t work, you can try pre-treating the stained area with a laundry detergent designed to fight tough stains. Work detergent into fabric with a soft brush and let it sit for 5–10 minutes. Then, rinse off detergent with cold water.
After you’ve pre-treated the stain, fill a sink or bucket with cold water and add a bit of laundry detergent or a color-safe bleach alternative. Submerge the stained top in the mixture and let it soak for 30 minutes. This will help break up ketchup and make it easier to remove during washing.
Washing and Drying
After pre-treatment and soak, it’s time to do actual washing. But before you put the top into the machine, check the care label to make sure you’re following the proper instructions. Then, put top into washer on a cold water cycle and add a color-safe detergent. Let cycle finish and then check the stained area — if it’s not all the way gone, repeat the pre-treatment process without the soak and then re-wash.
Once ketchup stain is completely gone, dry the top in dryer on a low heat setting. Avoid using high heat since this could further set the stain.
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