How To Get Dirt Stains Out Of Clothes?

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Last Updated on October 12, 2023

It happens to all of us – wearing our favorite item of clothing on a nice day, and then we notice an unsightly dirt stain. Working outdoors or keeping pets and children means getting dirt stains on our clothes-but that doesn’t mean they’ll ruin our wardrobe.

The stains caused by dirt and mud are a combination because they have more than one component. Removing a stain depends on the soil and the material it lands on. Here’s our guide on easily getting dirt stains from clothes at home.

If you have mud stains on your clothes, you must know How To Get Mud Out Of Clothes.

Easy Steps To Remove Dirt Stains Out Of Clothes

Materials You Will Need

Stained clothing
Mild liquid laundry detergent
A soft brush or an old toothbrush
Cold water
Stain remover (optional)
Hydrogen peroxide (for white clothing)
Clean white cloth or paper towel
Washing machine (for machine-washable items)

Step 1: Act Quickly

The sooner you treat a dirt stain, the better your chances of complete removal. Try to address the stain as soon as you notice it.

Step 2: Scrape Off Excess Dirt

Use a blunt object like a spoon or the edge of a credit card to gently scrape off any loose dirt or mud from the clothing. Be careful not to rub the dirt further into the fabric.

Step 3: Pre-treat the Stain

If the stain is still visible after scraping off excess dirt, pre-treat it with a stain remover or a mixture of water and mild liquid laundry detergent. Follow the product’s instructions for application, which typically involve applying the product to the stain and letting it sit for a few minutes.

Step 4: Gently Rub the Stain

Use a soft brush or an old toothbrush to rub the stain in a circular motion. This helps to work the detergent or stain remover into the fabric fibers.

Step 5: Rinse with Cold Water

Rinse the stained area under cold running water. Hold the fabric with the stain facing down so the water pushes the dirt out rather than setting it further into the fabric. Continue rinsing until the water runs clear and there are no visible traces of the stain.

Step 6: Check the Stain

Inspect the stained area to see if the dirt stain is completely gone. If it’s still visible, repeat steps 3 through 5 until the stain is no longer visible.

Step 7: Launder as Usual

If the stain is gone, wash the clothing as you normally would, following the care instructions on the garment’s label. Use cold water for washing, as hot water can set stains.

Step 8: Check Before Drying

Before putting the clothing in the dryer, remove the stain completely. Heat from the dryer can set any remaining stains, making them more difficult to remove in the future. If the stain persists, repeat the steps above.

Step 9: For White Clothing (Optional)

You can use hydrogen peroxide to remove any remaining stains for white clothing. Dab a small amount of hydrogen peroxide onto the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with cold water.

Step 10: Dry the Clothing

Once the stain is gone, you can safely dry the clothing as usual.

Safety Tips

Always follow the care instructions on your clothing labels.
Avoid using hot water on stains as it can set them.
Test any stain remover or hydrogen peroxide on a hidden or inconspicuous area of the fabric to ensure it doesn’t cause damage or discoloration.

Discover how to remove bleach stains from your clothes with our guide on how to get bleach out of clothes.

Removing Dirt Stains From White Clothing

You can follow the method outlined in the previous response to remove dirt stains from white clothing. However, if the stain persists and you decide to use hydrogen peroxide as a last resort, here’s a special instruction:

Special Instruction for White Clothing

After pre-treating the stain and rinsing it with cold water, you can dab a small amount of hydrogen peroxide onto it. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with cold water. Be cautious when using hydrogen peroxide, as it may have bleaching effects on some fabrics, so always test it on a hidden or inconspicuous area of the fabric first to ensure it won’t cause discoloration.

Removing Dirt Stains From Upholstery

If you’re dealing with dirt stains on upholstery, you can start by pretreating the fabric with a wet, cold towel to remove the dark muck. Here’s a special instruction:

Special Instruction for Pretreatment

Begin by dampening a clean, white cloth or towel with cold water. Gently blot and dab the stained area to loosen and lift the dark muck or dirt. Avoid rubbing vigorously, as this can embed the dirt further into the upholstery. Continue blotting until you’ve removed as much loose dirt as possible.

After this pretreatment step, follow the previous instructions for further stain removal if needed.

Removing Dirt Stains From The Rug Or Carpet

Carpets made of silk or wool should be professionally cleaned. Try these tips:

Carter advises letting the mud dry completely before removing it from the carpet.
Scrape the muck off the carpet once it has dried, then vacuum.
Use a steam cleaner to remove leftover or dab stains with a dampened cloth and a drop of Dawn dishwashing soap.
After removing the stain, use a damp cloth and a fresh towel to dab the area to remove detergent from the carpet.
Blot dry.

Removing Red Clay Stains From Clothing

Red mud from clothing can be difficult to remove, but it is possible. This is how:

Allow the detergent to sit on the stain for the entire night.
Use a moist toothbrush to scrub the opposite sides of the stained region.
Separate from other items when washing.
Red mud stains can be removed with color-safe bleach.
If reddish stains remain, the machine washes the item again after wiping it off with rubbing alcohol.
Repeat as often as required.

Check out our guide on removing pen ink from clothes after drying for more clothing stain removal tips.

FAQs

Can mud stains be removed with vinegar?

Due to its acidity, vinegar is excellent for removing grease and suds. Mud stains are hard to get rid of with it. But vinegar effectively dissolves the soap used to erase the mud stains.

How do I get the dirt off of my shoes?

We can help you if you’re wondering how to get the mud out of your shoes. First, remove any loose, dry mud clumps with a soft-bristled brush. Next, dilute the liquid detergent with water, and then rub the diluted mixture over the surface of the shoes with a clean cloth. Repeat the procedure using a baking powder paste rather than a detergent solution if this doesn’t work.

Will a stain disappear as it dries?

Dry stains may come out. It will depend on the kind of stain and the fabric used to make the clothing. A set-in bloodstain might not come out with drying, although a runny nasal mark might.

We truly hope that by following this guide, your clothes will look new, and you will be prepared to remove more dirt stains.