BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM

Ah, the joys of warmer weather: sunshine, fresh air, and…grass stains. Whether you’ve been stretching on the lawn, tackling yard work, or chasing your kids through the park, chances are a few green streaks have made their way onto your clothes. The good news? With quick action and a few household items, grass stains don’t have to be permanent.

“As always, act fast because fresh stains are much easier to remove, and make sure to blot, don’t rub,” says Ocean Van, owner of Coco Laundry. Letting the stain sit gives chlorophyll time to settle into fabric fibers — and trust us, that’s not the kind of natural dye you want sticking around.

Here’s a breakdown of the most effective, expert-backed methods for banishing grass stains and saving your favorite clothes.

Rubbing alcohol: a simple first step

Rubbing alcohol works like a charm for loosening up the chlorophyll in grass before a wash.

• Dab rubbing alcohol directly onto the stain (don’t rub — blot gently).
• Let it sit for a few minutes to break down the stain.
• Rinse with cool water.
• Follow with an enzyme detergent and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes.
• Scrub and wash with cool or warm water.

Hydrogen peroxide and dish soap: the dynamic duo

If rubbing alcohol alone isn’t cutting it, this two-ingredient method ups the cleaning power.

• Mix a few drops of hydrogen peroxide with an equal amount of dish soap.
• Apply generously to the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes.
• Scrub and rinse with cool water.
• Apply an enzyme detergent and let it sit for another 15 to 30 minutes.
• Scrub again and wash in cool or warm water.

Vinegar: your pantry’s secret weapon

Distilled white vinegar is great for grass stains — especially when paired with a little patience.

• Mix equal parts vinegar and water.
• Drench the stain with the solution and let it sit for 30 minutes.
• Scrub gently and rinse with cool water.
• Add enzyme detergent and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes.
• Scrub and wash. Repeat if needed — this one can take a few rounds.

Enzyme detergent: the reliable workhorse

If you’ve got enzyme detergent on hand, it can do most of the heavy lifting.

• Coat the stain with enzyme detergent, and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes.
• Rinse with cool water and reapply detergent.
• Let it sit again for 15 to 30 minutes.
• Scrub and wash in cool or warm water.

Best practices for tackling grass stains

Scott Schrader, founder of CottageCare, recommends pre-treating with rubbing alcohol first, then following up with a liquid enzyme detergent in warm water. The key? Give it time to soak in. Let stains sit with treatment for about 30 minutes before washing on a cold cycle.

And whatever you do, do not toss stained clothes straight into the dryer. Heat sets stains like concrete. Always double-check that the stain is completely gone before drying.

Which method works best?

That depends on the fabric and how fresh the stain is. Many pros swear by the vinegar and enzyme detergent combo — but if that doesn’t work, your local dry cleaner might have the magic touch.

Can you use a Magic Eraser?

Only on shoes. Magic Erasers are mildly abrasive and can damage fabric. If you are using one on sneakers, blot gently and wash according to the care label.

Are grass stains permanent?

They don’t have to be! As long as you act quickly and pre-treat before washing, you’re likely to save your clothes. Just remember: cold wash, check before drying.