While the following tips are very helpful and may treat most food stains, it’s always a good idea to have your clothes treated by a stain expert from the start. This is to prevent improper treatment of the stain, which will cause it to sink into the fabric even further and damage your clothing item(s) permanently.
HERE ARE 4 STEPS TO REMOVE BARBECUE SAUCE STAINS FROM YOUR SHIRTS, PANTS AND DRESSES.
Step 1. Remove the excess barbecue sauce from your clothing
Using a spoon, gently scoop any barbecue sauce from the fabric. You won’t be able to get the sauce that has already soaked into the fabric, but at least this will prevent the stain from spreading on other parts of the clothing.
Step 2. Rinse with cold water
Run cold water through the back of the stain as quickly as possible. Make sure not to use hot water because hot water can make it even more difficult, if not impossible to remove the stain. Rub a liquid laundry detergent into the stained portion of the fabric. You want both sides to be completely soaked through. The reason to use liquid laundry detergent is that it is very good at removing the oily and greasy parts of the barbecue sauce that try to stick on the fibers of your clothing.
Step 3. Use a stain remover
Apply a stain remover (spray or liquid) of your personal choice and allow it to sit for at least ten minutes before washing. It is best to apply the stain remover on both sides of the fabric to make sure the stained area is fully covered. Do make sure to wash the fabric within 20 minutes of applying the stain remover. If the garment is white, you can apply a mild bleaching product like white vinegar. Make sure to rinse well afterwards. It’s important to keep in mind that even mild bleaching products can remove the color of clothing. If you are concerned about this, it’s best to skip this part.
Step 4. Soak in warm water if steps 1 – 3 are unsuccessful
If for any reason the stain remains, rub some liquid laundry detergent into the stain and soak in warm water for about 30 minutes. Rinse well before washing again and allow the clothing item to air dry to make sure the entire stain has been removed.
Step 5. Bonus: Leave it to the professionals!
If you choose to follow these steps, do remember that the more you treat a stain and if you don’t treat it properly, the more likely it is to embed itself permanently into the fabric. Cleaning experts such as dry cleaners are better equipped to treat any stain. The chance of fully removing a stain is better if it is done by an expert the first time around. If you notice that the stain is still visible after these steps, then we recommend to still have this outfit treated by a professional dry cleaning (delivery) service. Our stain removal professionals are ready to take on any stain. Step 1 is still recommended, but avoid further treatment (especially rubbing!) of the stained area.