How to Remove Apple Juice Stains From Clothes, Carpet, and Upholstery

Tips to get rid of this tannin-based stain fast, even from white fabrics

How to Remove Apple Juice Stains

The Spruce / Michela Buttignol

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 15 - 30 mins
  • Total Time: 1 - 4 hrs
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0 to $10

Apple juice can result in some challenging stains thanks to tannin, a plant component that often shows as a color in the fruit. Apples, pears, and white grapes have low levels of tannin, while red and purple grapes, berries, and plums are high in tannin. Once the spill happens, immediately blot, don't rub, with a paper towel or white cloth to absorb some of the stain before it soaks in further. Never put a stained garment in the dryer, as the heat can set the stain and make it harder to remove or permanent.

With just a few household cleaners and a bit of patience, you can get apple juice and apple sauce stains out of clothing, carpet, and upholstery by following these simple steps.

 Stain type Tannin-based
 Detergent type Heavy-duty
 Water temperature Hottest recommended on care label
 Cycle type Varied depending on the type of fabric

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Paper towels
  • White cloth
  • Bucket or basin (optional)

Materials

  • Heavy-duty laundry detergent
  • Oxygen bleach

Instructions

Overhead view of materials needed to remove apple juice stains

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

How to Remove Apple Juice Stains From Washable Clothes and Linens

Follow these same steps to remove apple sauce stains. Always lift away any solids using a dull knife, spoon, or the edge of a credit card before you begin blotting away the moisture. Check the care label to determine the hottest temperature recommended for the fabric before washing.

  1. Blot

    Blot a fresh juice spill immediately from the fabric with a clean white cloth or paper towel.

    Blotting an apple juice stain with paper towels

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  2. Flush the Stained Area

    Flush the stain with cold water by holding the wrong side of the fabric directly under a running faucet. This forces the apple juice out of the fibers.

    Rinsing the stained linen in the water

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  3. Wash Fresh Stains

    Remove fresh stains caused by fruits with low tannin levels by simply washing the garment or table linens with a heavy-duty detergent (like Tide or Persil). These detergents have enough enzymes to break apart the stains in the hottest water recommended for the fabric on the care label.

    Tip

    Do not use natural soap in a bar like Fels-Naptha or soap flakes to treat the stain because they can make tannin stains more difficult to remove.

    Preparing to soak the apple juice stained fabric

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  4. Check the Stained Area

    Check the stained area. If the stain remains, do not machine dry the garment and move to the next step. The high heat in a dryer can set the stains, making them very difficult to remove.

    Checking the stained area to see if it has lifted

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  5. Mix a Soaking Solution

    Try an oxygen bleach soak if the stain is older and dark.

    • Mix a solution of warm water and oxygen bleach (like Clorox 2 or OxiClean) and follow package directions. 
    • Submerge the stained items completely and allow them to soak for at least four hours or overnight.
    • Wash as usual if the apple juice stain is gone. If the mark remains, then repeat the oxygen bleach step.

    Tips

    If the clothes are white cotton, you can use rubbing alcohol instead of oxygen bleach to remove apple juice stains. Dab rubbing alcohol on the garment from the edges of the stain to the center, then let it rest for a few minutes before washing it as usual.

    Mixing an oxygen bleach soaking solution

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

How to Remove Apple Juice Stains From Carpet and Upholstery

The same cleaning solutions and techniques can be used for juice stains on both carpet and upholstery. Before cleaning any furniture, always follow the manufacturer's care label on cleaning upholstery. This tag can be found under the sofa cushions or fabric skirt with letter codes that indicate how to clean the furniture.

  1. Blot Away Liquids

    Blot up as much of the liquid as possible with a white paper towel or cloth.

  2. Mix and Apply a Cleaning Solution

    • Mix a solution of 2 teaspoons of dishwashing detergent with 2 cups of warm water in a bowl.
    • Dip a clean white cloth, sponge, or soft bristle brush in the solution.
    • Work the solution into the stain from the edges inward to keep it from spreading.
  3. Blot Dry

    • Blot with a dry cloth to absorb the solution.
    • Repeat until the stain is gone.
  4. Rinse and Air Dry

    • Rinse with a clean cloth dipped in plain water. This is especially important, as leftover soapy residue will attract more soil. Do not completely saturate carpet or upholstery fibers because excess moisture can cause mildew to develop.
    • Air-dry the spot, then vacuum to lift the fibers.

Additional Tips for Handling Apple Juice Stains

Check the care label on the stained garment. If it's labeled as dry-clean-only, blot up as much of the spill as possible, then immediately take it to a professional dry cleaner and point out the stain so they can use the proper chemicals.

If you decide to use a home dry cleaning kit, treat the stain with the provided stain remover before putting the garment in the dryer bag. If there is an apple juice stain on silk or vintage upholstery, it is best to call a professional upholstery cleaner. Home cleaning may result in water spots.

FAQ
  • Do apple juice stains come out?

    Similar to other juice stains like orange juice, grape juice, and more, apple juice stains can be removed from clothing. As soon as the stain happens, dab up the liquid without rubbing it in, then pre-treat the stain and wash it in the hottest water safe for the garment (which is noted on its care label).

  • Does apple juice stain couches?

    Apple juice can stain couches, but these stains can be removed using liquid dishwashing detergent mixed with warm water. After applying the mixture to the stain, gently dab the upholstery with a damp cloth without soaking it before allowing it to air dry.

  • Are juice stains hard to get out?

    Juice stains are easiest to get out when they're still fresh, and they become more difficult to remove once they've set into fabrics. Rinse the juice from the fabric as soon as possible, then blot it with a clean white cloth or paper towel. Apply a heavy-duty laundry detergent as a pre-treatment before washing the item.