WikiLaundry > Stains > Tomato > Dresses

How to Easily Get Tomato Stains Out of Dresses?

Tomato sauce is an ingredient in many delicious dishes, but who knew it could be so hard to remove from clothing? It’s especially tricky when it comes to delicate fabrics like dresses. But don’t worry, it’s possible to get tomato stains out of dresses with a few simple steps.

Updated 17 Feb 2023

By Matej Kramberger

Pre-Treat the Stain Immediately

As soon as you notice the stain, take a piece of clean cloth or paper towel and dab, don’t rub, area to soak up any excess tomato sauce. Once you’ve blotted the stain, pre-treat it with a laundry detergent or some liquid dishwashing soap. Apply the detergent directly onto the stain and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. You can also apply a paste made of salt and white vinegar on the stain, leave it for ½ hour, and then wash the area with hot water.

Use a Stain Remover

If the stain persists, it’s best to use a specialized stain remover. Commercial stain removers work great for tricky stains like tomato sauce, but if you don’t have one on hand, you can also make your own solution by combining 2 parts warm water and 1 part hydrogen peroxide. Put your mixture in a spray bottle and apply it directly onto stained area. Wait at least 10 minutes before you rinse the area.

Wash the Dress

Once you’ve pre-treated and treated the stain, the next step is to wash your dress. Start by wetting the stained area with cold water, then rub some liquid detergent directly onto the stain. Allow the area to soak for 5 minutes before filling up a sink with cold water and a scoop of laundry detergent. Put the garment into the soapy solution and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Rinse the garment with cold water until all of the soap is gone.

Remove Excess Moisture

To help speed up the drying process and remove any excess moisture, wrap the garment in a clean, dry towel and press down on it to absorb the water. Then you can lay it flat on a towel or hang it up to air dry. Once it’s dry, give it one more check for stain, and if it’s still there, repeat the pre-treatment and washing steps before drying again.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best way to remove tomato sauce from a dress?

The best way to remove tomato sauce from a dress is to pre-treat the stain with a laundry detergent or a paste of salt and white vinegar, use a specialized stain remover, and then wash the dress in cold water.

Can I machine wash the dress?

It’s best to hand wash the dress since delicate fabrics like dresses can become damaged in the washing machine.

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