Tomato Sauce on Cotton & Clothing

Medium·⏱ 10–20 min

  1. Scrape off excess sauce with a spoon — work from the outside in.

  2. Rinse under cold water from the back of the fabric.

  3. Apply dish soap and gently work it in.

  4. Rinse. If colour remains, apply white vinegar and leave 5 minutes.

  5. Rinse cold and machine wash cold.

What you'll need

  • Cold water
  • Dish soap
  • White vinegar
  • Baking soda

Common mistakes to avoid

  • ✗Never use hot water — tomato's lycopene is heat-reactive and sets permanently.
  • ✗Don't ignore sunlight: dried tomato stains fade remarkably in UV light.

Pro tip

After washing, hang the item in direct sunlight — UV light breaks down lycopene (the red pigment) and can fully remove a ghost stain that washing left behind.

Always check the garment's care label and test any solution on a hidden area first. StainsGone provides general household guidance, not professional textile or restoration advice.