How do I get tomato sauce stains out of cotton twill?

Soak the stained fabric in warm water for up to 30 minutes, pre-treat with a mixture of laundry detergent and white vinegar, wash as usual, re-treat with a mixture of laundry detergent and baking soda, and then dry in sunlight.

What should I do if the stain doesn't come out?

Try re-treating with a different cleaning solution such as dish soap, hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice, or a specialty stain remover.

WikiLaundry > Stains > Tomato sauce > Cotton twill

How To Vanquish Tomato Sauce Stains From Cotton Twill

Tomato sauce spills happen all the time. But what's a home chef to do when it gets on their favorite cotton twill fabric? Cleaning these stubborn stains can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be! We'll show you how to easily remove tomato stains from cotton twill.

Updated 22 Feb 2023

By Nishat Asif

Step 1: Soak In Warm Water

Start by soaking the stained fabric in warm water for up to 30 minutes. This helps to loosen up any dried-on bits of tomato sauce and makes cleaning much easier.

Step 2: Pre-Treat With Laundry Detergent and Vinegar

After the stain has soaked in warm water, pre-treat it with a solution of laundry detergent and white vinegar. Mix the two together in equal parts and apply directly to the stain with an old toothbrush. Rub solution in a circular motion to help break up tomato sauce. Leave it on for about 10 minutes.

Step 3: Wash As Usual

Once the pre-treatment has had enough time to work its magic, wash fabric as you normally would. Don't forget to add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the load along with your usual laundry detergent to help lift the stain away.

Step 4: Re-Treat With Laundry Detergent and Baking Soda

After washing, check to see if the stain is gone. If it hasn't, it's time to re-treat it with a mixture of laundry detergent and baking soda. Mix together equal parts of the two and apply directly to the stain. Leave it on for 10 minutes before washing again.

Step 5: Dry in Sunlight

Once the fabric is clean, hang it outside in direct sunlight. The sun's UV rays are incredibly effective at fading away any remaining stains. Hang the fabric up until it is completely dry.

Tips & Tricks

Be sure to wash tomato-stained fabric as soon as possible; quicker you act, the better chance you have of getting the stain out.
Always use cold water when treating a tomato stain, as hot water can cause the stain to set permanently.
If you don't have white vinegar or baking soda, try using dish soap or a combination of hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice.

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