How to Remove Blueberry Stains from Clothing

Blueberries can leave a tough-to-remove stain, especially on white and light-colored clothes—unless you act quickly and use the right stain removers. Blueberries contain tannins or natural dyes that can become permanent if you wait too long to treat the stain or put a stained garment in a clothes dryer before the stain is fully gone. Learn how to remove blueberry stains in six easy steps.

What Will Remove Blueberry Stains?

If you act quickly and treat the blueberry stains while they are fresh, they can usually be removed with a dab of a heavy-duty laundry detergent that contains enough enzymes to break apart the stain molecules and lift them from the fabric. If you’re using a brand of detergent that contains mostly water, use an enzyme-based stain remover to treat the stain.

For older, set-in stains, chlorine bleach can be used on white fabrics, or an oxygen-based bleach soak will work for any type of fabric except silk and wool to remove the stains.

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How to Remove Blueberry Stains Fast

1. Remove blueberry solids. Use a dull knife or spoon to lift away any blueberry solids from the fabric. Do not rub or you’ll push the dyes deeper into the fibers.
2. Flush the stained area. Hold the wrong side of the fabric under a cold water faucet running at full force to force the blueberry stain out of the fibers.
3. Pretreat the stain. Work a dab of heavy-duty detergent or enzyme-based stain remover into the stain with your fingers or a soft-bristled brush. An old toothbrush works great. Let the cleaner work for at least 15 minutes before you move to the next step.
4. Wash the stained item. Use a heavy-duty laundry detergent and the hottest water recommended on the item’s care label to wash the garment or table linen as usual.
5. Check the blueberry stain. Never toss the fabric into a hot dryer until you are sure the stain is gone. The high heat of the dryer can make the blueberry stain almost impossible to remove.
6. Treat residual traces of the stain. If there are traces of color lingering on the fabric, you can use chlorine bleach or oxygen-based bleach soak.

• Chlorine bleach can be used on white natural fiber (cotton and linen) clothes and table linens. Mix one quarter cup of chlorine bleach per one gallon of water. Soak the stained item for 15 to 30 minutes before rinsing well and rewashing.
• Oxygen bleach is best for white synthetic fabrics or colored clothes but can also be used for natural fibers. Following the amounts on the product’s label, mix a solution of warm water and oxygen bleach powder. Submerge the entire item and allow it to soak for at least four hours or overnight. Repeat if needed and then wash the item as you usually would.

How to Remove Blueberry Stains From Delicate or Wool Clothing

1. Lift away blueberry solids and flush the fabric. Use a dull knife, spoon, or edge of a credit card to lift away the blueberries from the fabric. Hold the item under a running cold water faucet and flush the stain from the back of the fabric.
2. Mix a soaking solution. Fill a sink with cool water and add a few drops of a wool wash or delicate detergent. Submerge the garment and let it soak for at least 30 minutes.
3. Wash in warm water. Refill the sink with warm water and a few drops of delicate detergent. Gently squeeze the solution through the fabric.
4. Check the blueberry stain. If it is gone, dry the garment as you usually would. If any traces of color remain, line dry until you can treat the garment again.