Don’t Give Up Yet—How to Remove Stains From Clothes After They’re Dried

There are a variety of tried-and-true methods for removing stains from clothes, but once fabric has gone through the dryer it can be a little more difficult to get rid of stains. Fortunately, removing stains from clothing after they’ve encountered dryer heat isn’t impossible.

“Drying doesn’t completely ‘set’ the stain like people might think,” says Rhonda Wilson, the Quality Lead Cleaner at FreshSpace Cleaning. “It can make it trickier, but the stain is still removable with the right treatment and a little bit of patience.”

The best methods for removing stains from clothes that have already gone through the dryer involve pretreating and presoaking the item with strong ingredients like baking soda and hydrogen peroxide prior to rewashing.

We’ve compiled a list of expert-approved stain removal methods you can use to banish stubborn stains and revive your once-ruined clothing.

Pretreat With Baking Soda and Dish Soap

Baking soda is an especially powerful stain remover, so my personal go-to stain removal method is simple combination of baking and dish soap.

Start by laying out your clothing item so the stain is exposed. Sprinkle a layer of baking soda over the stain, then follow with a couple squirts of dish soap. I use a toothbrush or my fingers to blend the two solutions together and into the fabric, until it forms a pasty consistency.

Leave the paste for five to 10 minutes, giving it time to break down the stain, then wash as you normally would. I find this method is especially effective for oil and grease stains.

Be sure to check the stained area before moving it to the dryer, as you may need to repeat this process to remove the stain entirely.

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Pretreat With Oxygen Bleach and Laundry Detergent

Bleach is another particularly strong cleaning solution that can be used to remove set stains from clothing. However, many people, myself included, prefer to use natural alternatives that aren’t as harsh.

Fortunately, oxygen bleach can act as a happy medium for individuals who want a cleaner that is more environmentally friendly than chlorine bleach and yet still very effective.

In fact, Rhonda Wilson, quality lead cleaner at FreshSpace Cleaning, often uses oxygen bleach in conjunction with an everyday laundry detergent to remove tough, dried stains.

“I soak it in warm water with detergent and oxygen bleach to help loosen it up,” she says. “Sometimes, I like to leave it for 15 minutes tops just to allow the bleach to work. Then, I scrub it. If the stain’s still there, repeat the process as sometimes it takes a couple of tries. Once it’s gone, wash it again as usual.”

Pretreat With Hydrogen Peroxide and Dish Soap

Store-bought stain removers are, of course, very effective at removing stains in general. However, if you’re working with a stain that has set in, you might need a stronger solution to get it out.

To create a homemade laundry stain remover strong enough to get rid of stains that have been exposed to dryer heat, combine two parts hydrogen peroxide with one part dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle. Stir gently, but do not shake, as this will foam up the contents of your bottle.

Spray the DIY stain remover on the stained fabric, rub it in with a toothbrush or your fingers, then leave it to sit and break down the stain for five to 10 minutes.

Finish this method by washing the item as you usually would, but be sure to check the stained area before moving it to the dryer.

If you find that this DIY stain remover hasn’t quite done the trick, consider modifying your solution slightly to include baking soda. Combine two parts hydrogen peroxide with one part dish soap and one part baking soda, then repeat the process.