Summer festivities are some of the best of the year. We’ve got BBQs, picnics, and pool parties galore. Are you ready for some of summer’s most common stains? It’s likely that at least one hot dog will be consumed during these warmer months, and in the event that a bit of ketchup makes its way onto your clothing, we want you to be able to treat it without stress! Read on to learn how to remove ketchup stains.

What causes Ketchup Stains?

Ketchup stains are a common sight, but what causes them? Ketchup is made up of a variety of ingredients, including tomatoes, vinegar, and sugar. When the ketchup comes into contact with your clothing, the tomato-based pigment in the ketchup can easily transfer to your fabric, creating a bright red stain. Additionally, the sugar and vinegar in ketchup can help to set the stain by bonding with the fabric fibers, making it more difficult to remove.

It’s best to act as quickly as possible when dealing with a ketchup stain to prevent it from settling in the fibers. Ready to learn how to remove ketchup stains? Read on!

How to Remove Ketchup Stains

What you’ll need: Oxi Booster Pods, Stain & Odor Laundry Pods

Step 1: Remove Excess

First, it’s time to remove any excess ketchup from your clothes. If the stain is fresh and the ketchup is still wet, you can use a paper towel or cloth to gently lift off any excess. If the ketchup has dried, try using a dull knife or the side of a credit card to gently scrape off any excess nail polish lingering on your item.

Step 2: Flush Out Stain

Now that the excess is gone, it’s time to learn how to remove ketchup stains! Place the stain wrong side up under your faucet and flush it out with cold water. Be sure to run the cold water through the back of the stain to help push it out of the fibers. This will get out as much of the stain as possible before moving on to treat it.

Step 3: Fill Sink or Basin

After flushing with water, fill a clean basin or sink with warm water. Drop in one Oxi Booster Pod, and wait for it to dissolve fully and create a cleaning, stain-fighting solution.

Step 4: Soak & Fight Stain

Now that you have your cleaning solution, it’s time to fight the stain! Submerge the garment in the Oxi Booster Solution and allow it to soak for 1-3 hours. How do Oxi Booster Pods help ketchup stain removal? Oxi Booster Pods are a chlorine-free bleach alternative which naturally fights stubborn stains and odors. It should attack the structure of the stain and lift it out of the fabric–without bleaching the colors you want out of your clothes. After the stain has been lifted, rinse the garment with cool water.

Step 5: Wash

Now that the stain has been removed, wash the item as you normally would according to the care label. We recommend using a Stain & Odor Laundry Detergent Pod for extra stain fighting. If any slight staining remains, you can also add an additional Oxi Booster Pod to the wash.

Step 6: Dry

Let your garment dry! Be sure that the stain is completely removed before putting the item in the dryer, as the dryer’s high heat can cause stains to set permanently. We recommend leaving your garment out to air dry, preferably in the sunshine for extra natural bleaching power. After following all of these steps, your clothes should be as good as new!

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions about how to remove ketchup stains? We’re here to help.

Does ketchup permanently stain? Do ketchup stains come out?

Does ketchup come out of clothes? Absolutely. Ketchup is a tricky stain, but not necessarily a permanent one! With the right tools, getting ketchup out of clothes is easy. The quicker you treat the stain, the easier it will be, so try to act fast.

Can old ketchup stains be removed? How do you get ketchup out of clothes after drying?

Dried ketchup stains may require a bit more product and patience to remove. First, remove any excess dried ketchup using a butter knife or the side of a credit card. If the stain is not lifted after being soaking in an Oxi Booster Solution, you can try a more targeted stain fighting approach. Apply one pump of Ultra Concentrated Stain & Odor Laundry Detergent directly to the stain, and let sit. The enzymes in the laundry detergent should break down the stain causing agents, so it can be more easily washed away.

What removes ketchup from fabric?

Ketchup can be removed from fabric using a variety of products, including Oxi Booster pods and enzyme-based detergents such as Dropps Stain & Odor Laundry Pods.

How do you get ketchup stains out without washing?

Spills can come when you least expect them, and it’s not always possible to wash your garment right away. We’ll share how to get ketchup out of clothes when you don’t have access to a laundry room. If you spill ketchup on the go, gently scrape off any excess and flush out or blot the stain with water. If you have cleaning products on hand, spot clean with liquid laundry or dish detergent, then rinse.