How To Remove Grass Stains From Clothes And Shoes

As these before and after photos show, grass stains can be removed, especially if you get to them quickly.

If you or your kids spend a lot of time outdoors, it’s important to know how to remove grass stains from clothes and shoes. Grass stains are incredibly common, but they can be a bit tricky to remove, especially if you’re not able to treat them right away. But I’ve made it my mission to help you remove all kinds of laundry stains, and grass stains are no exception!

In this post, you’ll learn everything you need to get grass stains out of clothes and shoes. Whether you’ve got grass stains on your favorite jeans, white shoes, or even your go-to pair of Crocs, you’ll find the answer here!

Why Are Grass Stains So Tough To Remove?

Grass stains, like blood stains and other organic stains, are protein-based, and these can be particularly stubborn. On top of that, grass stains also contain chlorophyll, which is the green pigment that allows grass to absorb sunlight. That green pigment can behave like a dye if left on fabric for too long, which is definitely not what you want.

My Ultimate Stain Remover can help you remove grass stains fast!

How To Remove Grass Stains From Clothes

The best way to remove grass stains from your clothes is to treat them as soon as possible! Your first course of action should be to apply a stain remover to the stained area, very much like when you get out ring around the collar. Here are some options that work well against grass stains:

My ultimate stain remover spray, which includes dish soap and hydrogen peroxide
An enzymatic stain remover, like Shout or OxiClean MaxForce
An enzymatic laundry detergent, like ECOS Plant Powered or Rockin’ Green Active Wear
A paste of water and oxygen bleach (store-bought or homemade)

Apply your chosen stain remover to the grass stain and let it sit for 15-30 minutes, giving it time to break down the stain. Launder the garment in warm water, then let it air dry and inspect the stain. (Avoid drying the garment until the grass stain is completely gone, as the heat of your dryer could set the stain.)

A non-chlorine or oxidizing bleach, or even hydrogen peroxide can help get protein-based stains like grass stains out.

How To Remove Set-In Grass Stains

The sooner you can treat stains, the better, but not all grass stains happen close to home. Grass stains that have had time to sit on clothing for a while can be tough to remove, but it’s not impossible.

One option is use the same method I outlined above, but let the stain remover sit on the stain longer. Another option is to the soak the stained item in an oxygen bleach solution overnight. OxiClean and Clorox 2 for Colors are both widely available — just follow the instructions on the package for soaking soiled clothing.

To get grass stains out of white sneakers, there are several methods you can use -- just don't put them in the washing machine.

How To Get Grass Stains Out Of Shoes

The safest way to clean almost any kind of shoe is to do so gently, ideally by hand. Trying to clean shoes in your washing machine can lead to a whole host of issues, including discoloration and structural damage. Removing grass stains from shoes by hand may require a bit more time and effort, but it’s the best way to get the results you want without risking any damage.

Canvas Sneakers

Canvas sneakers can be magnets for grass stains, particularly white ones. To get rid of those stains, add a few drops of dish soap and a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide to a small dish of water and stir to combine. Dip an old toothbrush into the soapy peroxide solution, then use it to gently rub the stain fighters into the grass stain.

Blot the area with clean, damp cloth to lift out the stain, then use a second damp cloth to “rinse” out any remaining residue. Let the shoes air dry.

Leather Shoes

To get rid of grass stains on leather shoes, combine one part white vinegar with one part cold water. Dip a clean cloth in the diluted vinegar and use it to gently rub away the stain. When the green stain is gone, apply a polish or conditioner to rehydrate and protect the leather.

Crocs

To clean grass stains from Crocs (or other types of foam clogs or slides), apply a small amount of laundry detergent to the stain and give it a good scrub with a toothbrush or small scrubber. Rinse the shoe well and let it air dry before wearing.

If detergent alone doesn’t cut it, combine a small amount of baking soda with enough hydrogen peroxide to form a paste, then use a brush to scrub the paste over the stain. Let the paste dry, then wipe it away with a wet sponge or cloth and repeat, if needed.

Bonus Tips For Cleaning Shoes

Use a damp magic eraser to remove grass marks and scuffs on the rubber parts of your sneakers.
Ball up some newspaper or paper bags and stuff them inside of each shoe to help them keep their shape while they dry.
Never underestimate the power of a new pair of shoelaces. They’ll instantly make your shoes look cleaner and less worn!
Looking for solutions for smelly shoes? Learn how to remove odor from shoes.

DON'T try using chlorine bleach to get grass stains out -- bleach can make protein stains worse.

A Few More Grass Stain Removal Tips

It’s always best to treat a stain right away, so I like to be able to treat stains on the go. You may not always be able to do that with grass stains, but they’ll become more difficult to remove the longer you wait to treat them.

And regardless of which stain remover(s) you decide to use to treat grass stains, avoid using chlorine bleach if you can. Chlorine bleach can make some protein stains worse, so it’s best to stick with the other options I’ve outlined in this post!

Do you have any tips or tricks for how to remove grass stains?