It’s laundry day, and you begin tossing your dirty clothes into the washing machine when you stumble across a pair of jeans crusted with dried mud. As if you didn’t have enough work on your plate already, now you have to figure out how to get mud stains out of clothing. We’ll show you how to get dirt stains out of clothes in a few easy steps to prevent permanent spots.
As much as we’d love to live life stain-free, this isn’t always possible. Dirt stains happen, whether they result from a day spent working in the garden, overly ambitious children, or an unruly pet. Not only do floors and furniture upholstery attract dirt, but your clothing is a dirt-magnet as well.
There are many types of clothing stains, from grease stains and grass stains to mud stains, not all stains are equal. While it is always tempting to simply toss the dirty garments straight into the washer and dryer, there are better ways to get mud out of white clothes, since the dirt spreads to other clothing in the washer, and high temperatures set in the stains.
- Simple Ways to Get Dirt Stains out of Clothing
- The First Step to Remove Dirt Stains from Clothing
- Cleaning Dirt Stains off Clothing By Soaking
- Getting Dirt Stains out of Jeans with Laundry Detergent
- How to Get Dirt Stains out of Clothes with Stain Remover
- Removing Dirt Stains from Clothing with Oxiclean
- Pretreating Dirt-Stained Clothes with Baking Soda
- Using Hydrogen Peroxide to Remove Dirt Stains from Clothes
- How to Remove Dirt Stains from Clothes with White Vinegar
Simple Ways to Get Dirt Stains out of Clothing
Taking your stained clothing into a dry cleaning service is expensive, and many stains are easy to remove yourself.
However, it is vital to pretreat stained clothes before you launder them to avoid setting in the stain, whether you are getting rust out of clothes or mud. Here are several ways to treat and clean dirt stains on all types of clothing using either mild or strong solutions.
The First Step to Remove Dirt Stains from Clothing
The best way to remove dirt stains from clothes is to let them dry first. This is especially helpful to get mud out of jeans or other areas caked with mud since washing thick patches of dirt with water only makes more of a mess.
Here is how to remove dried dirt from your clothes using everyday items.
After the dirt is completely dry, start removing dirt by shaking the clothing outside to remove as much of the caked-on dirt as possible. Scrub the material gently with a soft brush or use the edge of a butter knife or spatula to scrape away pieces of dirt.
To remove the most dirt without making a mess, try using a vacuum hose with a brush attachment to suck away the remaining stain.
Cleaning Dirt Stains off Clothing By Soaking
After removing as much of the dried dirt from the stained area, it’s time to give the article of clothing a good soak in soapy water to help loosen the dirt particles from the cloth fibers.
Fill a plastic tub or the kitchen sink with warm water and add a few drops of liquid detergent. Stir the soapy water with your hand, and submerge the stained clothing in the liquid.
Let it soak in the sudsy solution for at least half an hour, and then rinse the fabric under cool water. For really muddy clothing, let the material soak overnight.
Once you are sure that the stain is gone, wash it in the washing machine with laundry detergent using the hot water cycle.
Getting Dirt Stains out of Jeans with Laundry Detergent
Getting dirt stains out of jeans is a little more difficult due to the thick material, but it’s not impossible. Here is how to use laundry detergent to get your jeans dirt-free by pretreating and soaking.
To remove motor oil from clothes or a dirty spot, pour a small bit of liquid laundry detergent over the stain on your jeans and let it sit for about 15 minutes. During this time, rub the fabric with your fingers every couple of minutes to help loosen the dirt. Cleaning mud off clothes may take a few extra minutes but it can usually be done.
Hold the jeans beneath cool, running water to flush the soap and dirt residue down the drain. After the stain is gone, wash your pants in the washer as usual.
How to Get Dirt Stains out of Clothes with Stain Remover
A commercial stain remover is often the best way for getting dirt stains out of clothes. Some of these cleaners contain a laundry enzyme that removes stubborn stains such as blood, grease, and dirt and are safer to use than bleach.
There are different types of stain removers on the market, from sticks and gels to sprays, so follow the directions for your brand of choice. Apply the remover on the stain as recommended and let it sit for five minutes.
Check the care label to ensure that your garment is machine washable, and clean it in the washer with laundry detergent using a hot cycle. Once the cleaning is complete, hang your clothes to air dry since the high heat of the dryer sets in any remaining stains.
Removing Dirt Stains from Clothing with Oxiclean
Oxiclean contains oxygen bleach and is a stain remover and laundry additive. It turns a positively charged stain negative for easy removal and is safe for both your septic system and the environment. Here is how to remove dirt stains using an Oxiclean product.
Follow the instructions for Oxiclean and add the appropriate amount of powder for each gallon of warm water into a large bucket or sink.
To get car grease out of clothes or another type of stain, stir the liquid to dissolve the solution and soak your clothes in it for one to six hours, depending on how filthy they are.
Transfer the material into the washing machine and clean it with laundry detergent using the hot water cycle. Do not dry it in the clothes dryer to prevent setting in leftover stains. Instead, hang it up to air dry.
Pretreating Dirt-Stained Clothes with Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural powder you probably have in your kitchen cabinet and is helpful for getting dirt stains out of jeans, grass stain removal, and butter stains out of clothes. It absorbs odors and is effective as a stain pretreatment.
Pretreat the stain by combining enough warm water and baking soda to form a paste. Rub the mixture over the stain and let it sit for half an hour.
Hold the fabric, with the dirty side down, beneath cool running water to flush away the residue, and then wash the clothes with laundry detergent using the hot water setting of your washing machine.
Make sure the stain is completely gone before tossing it into the dryer.
Using Hydrogen Peroxide to Remove Dirt Stains from Clothes
Hydrogen peroxide is a common disinfectant in most homes. It also has mild bleaching qualities and is safer for cleaning than chlorine bleach. Here is how to get ground in dirt out of clothes using hydrogen peroxide and dish detergent solution.
Combine liquid dishwashing detergent and hydrogen peroxide in a bowl and dab it over the dirt-stained area of your clothing. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub the stain and let sit for a couple of hours.
Place the item by itself in the washing machine with laundry detergent and use the hot water cycle to launder it.
Check the garment after it’s clean to see if any of the stain remains and repeat the steps if necessary. Otherwise, hang it up to air dry or toss it into the dryer.
How to Remove Dirt Stains from Clothes with White Vinegar
One of our favorite DIY cleaning solutions uses the power of baking soda and white vinegar. These two natural ingredients work together to form a bubbling action that works wonders to remove just about any stain type.
Combine just enough white vinegar and baking soda in a container or bowl to form a paste, and then gently rub it gently on the garment for several minutes to loosen the dirt.
Hold the material beneath cold water to flush away residue and inspect it for any remaining stain.
If the stain persists, place the item in a bucket or tub of water and two tablespoons each of laundry detergent or dish soap and white vinegar.
Let it soak overnight, and then transfer the clothing to the washing machine. Use your favorite detergent and the hot water setting to clean the rest of the stain, and then hang the item to air dry.
Nearly all clothing types are a magnet for dirt, and tough stains are inevitable, especially if you have kids and pets.
Not everyone has the time or money to take a trip to the dry cleaner. Fortunately, dirt stains are easier to get out of clothes than you think, as long as you use the right treatments and cleaners.
Knowing how to get dirt stains out of clothes means the difference between a fresh, clean pair of jeans and a ragbag full of ruined garments, so why not share our dirt removal solutions and tips with your friends and family on Pinterest and Facebook?