As the summer season arrives, expect warm days and enjoying certain fruits such as watermelon. The only drawback with this juicy fruit is that it drips and can leave behind brightly-colored stains on your favorite shirt, upholstery or even carpet. Read further to learn ways to remove watermelon stains from clothes, upholstery and carpet.
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Steps on how to remove watermelon stains from clothes
If your favorite white shirt ends up with a bright pink watermelon stain, don’t worry! It can be removed with the following steps:
- Get rid of any pieces of the fruit and blot away any leftover liquid using a napkin or paper towel. Avoid rubbing since it will only drive the stain deeper into the fabric.
- Flush the stained area with cool water. There are two methods that you can use. The first one is to blot the stain using a white cloth or paper towel immersed in plain water and blot dry with paper towels. The second method is to hold the fabric under a running faucet, flushing from the wrong side of the fabric to force the watermelon juice out of the fibers.
- Use an enzyme-based stain remover on the stain or rub a small amount of heavy-duty liquid detergent. If you are going to use a detergent, use one that contains enzymes that can break down the stain. Allow the stain remover to work for up to 10 minutes and wash as usual based on the fabric care label.
- Check the stained area. If a trace of the watermelon stain lingers, do not place the garment in the dryer.
- When dealing with a lingering stain, prepare a solution by mixing an oxygen-based bleach with warm water. Submerge the stained garment into the solution and allow it to soak for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Check the stain. If it has vanished, rinse thoroughly and dry the garment. If the stain lingers, repeat the soaking in oxygen bleach until it is completely removed.
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How to remove watermelon stains on upholstery and carpet
If your furniture or carpet end up with an unappealing watermelon stain, a key point to remember is to avoid excessive moisture. Follow these steps to effectively get rid of the stain.
- If there are any solid chunks of the fruit on the surface, remove them. Use a white cloth or paper towel to blot up as much liquid from the stained area. Use a gentle touch and avoid rubbing. Take note that rubbing will only drive the stain deeper into the fibers.
- Prepare a solution by combining 2 teaspoons of dishwashing liquid with 2 cups of warm water.
- Soak a white cloth, soft-bristled brush or sponge into the solution. Start on the exterior borders of the stain and move towards the middle to prevent it from spreading. Blot with a dry cloth to soak up the solution.
- Dip a clean cloth in plain water to rinse away the site. This step is vital since any foamy residue left in the carpet or upholstery can attract dirt or debris.
- Allow the stain to air dry away from direct sun and vacuum to lift the fibers.
When faced with set-in stains, especially the old ones, prepare a solution by mixing oxygen-based bleach with cool water. Soak a clean cloth into the solution. Start from the external edge of the stain and move towards the middle. Avoid over-wetting the carpet or upholstery. Leave the solution on the stain for up to 30 minutes before blotting away. Dip a clean cloth in plain water and blot the site to rinse the solution away. Saturate the site with plain water and blot dry with a clean towel. Air-dry the upholstery or carpet and vacuum to lift the fibers.
Can water remove watermelon stains from clothes?
Watermelon is mostly comprised of water, but stains from the fruit can be tricky to remove. Luckily, they can be removed by water alone or with a few basic cleaners.
- Boil some distilled water and pour it directly on the watermelon stains. In most instances, this is enough to remove the stains completely, especially the fresh ones.
- An option you can try if the boiling water technique is not effective in treating the stain is an enzyme pre-wash soaking solution. Soak for at least 30 minutes. Take note that the longer it soaks, the better it works.
- Wash the garment in as hot water as possible. This method should remove most watermelon stains.
Can hydrogen peroxide remove watermelon stains?
When dealing with watermelon stains, you can use hydrogen peroxide by following the steps below.
- Hand wash using a dish soap such as Dawn. The purpose of this is to remove the sugar.
- Position the garment on a flat surface and pour a small amount of hydrogen peroxide on the watermelon stain. Leave in place for 5-10 minutes.
- Rub vinegar over the hydrogen peroxide and allow it to soak for a few more minutes.
- Launder the garment in the washing machine as normal.
Can stain remover get watermelon stains out of clothes?
A stain remover can be used to get rid of watermelon stains on clothes. It is recommended to use a stain remover that contains enzymes on the stain or apply a small amount of heavy-duty liquid detergent onto the stain.
Allow the stain remover to work for a minimum of 10 minutes and wash as usual, based on the fabric care label.
Does watermelon stain?
Even though watermelon is mostly water it stains. The stains that watermelon leaves can be more tricky than what you would expect from a fruit that contains more water than most food we eat. With the right approach, it is still easy to remove the stain though.
Final thoughts
Watermelon is a favorite treat during hot summer days, whether at home or the beach. Sadly, the fruit can cause brightly-colored stains when it drips on light-colored fabrics. When faced with this type of stain, the methods on how to remove watermelon stains from clothes or other surfaces will ensure effective removal.
