Can I use warm water on tomato stains?

No, warm water should be avoided when treating tomato stains as it can set the stain in the fabric.

Do I need to use a special detergent?

No, any type of liquid detergent should be sufficient. You can also use a specialty stain remover or even dishwashing liquid if that's all you have available.

WikiLaundry > Stains > Tomato > Shift dress

How to Easily Remove Tomato Stains from a Shift Dress?

Tomato stains can be difficult to remove, but with the right approach, you can make your shift dress look as good as new again. Here we'll break down the steps you can take to tackle tomato stains.

Updated 17 Feb 2023

By Brane Lukman

Step 1: Blot Up Excess Sauce

The first step is to blot up any excess sauce before it has a chance to set into the fabric. Using a paper towel or a clean cloth, gently press down on stain and dab it up. If the sauce has already started to dry, you may need to be a bit more vigorous, but always blot—never rub.

Step 2: Pre-Treat with Detergent

Once you have blotted the stain and removed any excess sauce, you will want to pre-treat area with some liquid detergent. You can use laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, or a specialty stain remover, depending on what you have available. Squeeze a little bit of the detergent directly on the stain and let it sit for several minutes.

Step 3: Rinse with Cold Water

After the stain has had a few minutes to absorb detergent, rinse it with cold water until the detergent is gone. This will help remove the grease from tomato sauce. Avoid using hot water as this can actually set the stain in the fabric.

Step 4: Wash in the Machine

At this point, you are ready to put the shift dress in the washing machine. Choose a short, gentle cycle with cool water. If possible, add a color-safe bleach to the load to help whiten the fabric and remove any remaining traces of the stain. Tumble dry on low heat and check to make sure the stain is gone before taking out of the dryer.

FAQ

Try Laundryheap - 24h laundry service with free delivery

Never do laundry again. Save time for things you ❤️

Book now

WikiLaundry