How to Remove Mud Stains From Clothing

How to Remove Mud Stains

1. Let the Mud Dry

   Let the mud dry thoroughly before starting the cleaning process. It keeps the stain localized and superficial. Blotting or rubbing fresh mud causes the stain to smear and spread, driving the dirt deeper into the fabric and making it more difficult to remove.

2. Scrape or Vacuum the Stain 

   • Remove as much dirt as possible by scraping the dried mud with a butter knife or spoon edge.
   • Optionally, scrub gently with a hand vacuum to remove clumps and dust.

3. Pretreat and Wash with High-Performance Detergent

   • Use a high-performance detergent like Tide or Persil. These detergents contain the necessary enzymes to break apart the soil and the surfactants to keep the dirt suspended in the wash water until it drains away.
   • You can use liquid detergents or an enzyme-based stain remover (stick, gel, or spray) to pretreat heavily stained areas like knees or hems by working a bit of the liquid into the stains using a soft bristle brush.
   • If you use a powdered laundry detergent, make a paste with water to pretreat the stains.
   • Allow the cleaner to work for 15 minutes.

4. Wash and Dry 

   • Wash the garment as usual—via washing machine or hand washing—following the care label instructions (it's OK to use warm water if the label permits).
   • Consider adding an oxygen bleach, such as OxiClean, to the wash. It is generally safe for colors and may help lighten the stain.
   • Dry the garment only after all traces of the stain are gone. If you're unsure if the stain is gone, air-dry, then check it.
     

   Tip

   Check the stained area of your clothing for unpleasant smells before drying to ensure you don't set the odor, even if the spot appears to be gone entirely.

How to Remove Mud Stain Odors

1. Perform a Sniff Test

   After removing the visible stain, smell the area to ensure no foul odors are lingering—especially if you notice an unpleasant smell in the mud before you wash it. A bad odor can get "baked" in with high heat and become much harder to eliminate.

2. Apply a Vinegar Solution, If Odor Persists

   • Mix equal portions of distilled white vinegar and water and pour or spray the solution onto the previously stained area of the garment. (While vinegar isn't likely to bleach or discolor fabric, perform a spot test in an inconspicuous area to double-check.)
   • Allow the clothing to air-dry.
   • Even after drying, you may notice a vinegar smell, but it will fade.

3. Sprinkle Baking Soda

   • If you still notice an odor, sprinkle baking soda over the offensive area.
   • Rub in the powder with your fingers.
   • Let it sit overnight.

4. Launder as Usual

   • If the odor is gone, follow the care label instructions on your garment and launder (wash and dry) as directed.
   • If you can still detect a faint smell, repeat the steps above.

Additional Tips for Handling Mud Stains

• Don't rub: If a splatter of mud lands on your clothes, avoid the temptation to wipe it away. Wiping pushes the mud deeper into the fabric. Lift it away with a spoon or the edge of a credit card.
• Don't skimp on cleaning products: Tough stains require detergents and stain removers that contain enzymes to break the bond between the stain molecules and the fabric. Cheap detergents are mostly water and won't remove the stains.
• Tackle super stubborn stains: Try scrubbing the stain with an old toothbrush after applying liquid laundry detergent or a paste with powdered detergent and a little water.
• Rinse with rubbing alcohol: Another trick is rinsing the stain with rubbing alcohol before washing.
• Handling stubborn stains on white clothes: Try soaking the item in a chlorine bleach solution (1/4 cup of chlorine bleach with 1 gallon of water) for five minutes, although bleach can sometimes leave a yellow hue. To avoid yellowing, never leave an item soaking longer than five minutes.