How to Remove Cherry Stains From Clothes

Cherry stains aren't always permanent—learn to get the red out even on whites

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr - 1 hr, 30 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $5

Cherry stains range from the watery purple of natural cherries to the candy red of maraschino cherries to the light pink of real cherry juice drinks. Stains from natural cherries are easier to remove than artificial coloring agents since they don't contain any additional dyes.

How to Remove Cherry Stains From Clothes

The Spruce / Michela Buttignol

As with many types of stains, never machine dry the item before checking it to be sure that none of the stain remains. The high heat of the dryer can set the stain making it more difficult to remove. Read on to learn how most cherry stains can be conquered from home using common cleaners and detergents.

Stain Type Tannin, dye
Detergent Type Stain remover and heavy-duty laundry detergent
Water Temperature Cold then hot

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

Clothes and Linens

  • Dull knife or credit card
  • White cloth or paper towel
  • Soft bristle brush or old toothbrush

Materials

Clothes and Linens

  • Prewash stain remover
  • Heavy-duty laundry detergent
  • Oxygen-based bleach (Optional)
  • Chlorine-based bleach (Optional)

Instructions

Materials and tools to remove cherry stains from clothes & upholstery

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

How to Remove Cherry Stains From Washable Clothes and Linens

  1. Remove Any Solids

    • Lift any solid matter away from the fabric's surface with a dull knife or the edge of a credit card. Be careful not to rub the stain because that will force it deeper into the fibers.
    • If the stain is liquid, like cherry juice or Kool-Aid, blot it with a plain white cloth or paper towel.
    Cherry fruit solids removed with dull knife from white fabric

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

  2. Pretreat the Stain

    • If the stain is fresh, hold the fabric under a faucet and flush it with cold water to force it out of the fibers, running the water through the reverse side of the stain.
    • Use a prewash stain remover on the stain. Work the stain remover into the stain with a soft-bristled brush and allow it to remain on the stain for at least 15 minutes before washing. If you don't have a stain remover, use a bit of heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent for pretreating. 
    Fabric with cherry stains rinsed under running water from sink faucet

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

  3. Wash the Fabric

    Wash the item in the hottest water recommended for the fabric, using a heavy-duty laundry detergent (Tide and Persil are two good options that contain enzymes to break down cherry stains). Confirm that the stain is gone before drying the item.

    Tip

    Never use natural soap (in bar or flake form) because cherries have tannins that are difficult to remove with that type of soap.

    Heavy duty laundry detergent poured into washing machine

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

  4. If Red Dye Stain Remains

    Mix a bleaching agent and warm water in a bucket or sink, following the package's directions. Completely submerge the stained items and allow them to soak for 30 minutes or as recommended on the package's directions.

    For White Fabrics

    Use a solution of ¼ cup of chlorine bleach added to ¾ cup water for white fabrics made of natural fibers (cotton and linen).

    For Colored Clothes and Synthetics

    Use oxygen-based bleach (OxiClean, Country Save Bleach, or Purex2 Color Safe Bleach) to work on the stain. Follow the package's directions to determine the best ratio of cleaner and water to use on the garment. (You may be able to use some spray products undiluted.)

    • Work the solution or paste into the fabric using a clean sponge, moving from the outside edge of the stain toward the center. Do not get the area overly wet.
    • Allow the solution to remain on the stain for at least 30 minutes (or per the product's instructions) before blotting it away with a clean cloth dampened with water.

    Tip

    Natural, DIY bleaching agents that you might already have in your home include white distilled vinegar or lemon juice for white clothing and linens and hydrogen peroxide for colored fabrics. These acidic ingredients can also further break down the stain for easier removal.

    Oxygen-based bleach poured on to cherry-stained fabric in white bucket with water

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Additional Tips for Handling Cherry Stains

Try a laundry enzyme presoak product that works on tannin-based stains if the above methods do not work. If instead, you prefer to use a DIY stain remover for cherry stains on colored fabrics, mix parts hydrogen peroxide (1 cup suggested) and 1 part dishwashing liquid (1/2 cup suggested) in a spray bottle. Shake to mix and spray directly on the stain to let it soak before washing.

Remove cherry stains from carpet and upholstery with a solution of 1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing detergent in 2 cups of lukewarm water. Blot the cherry stain with a sponge or white cloth dipped in the solution. Keep blotting until the stain transfers onto the sponge or cloth.

FAQ
  • Do cherry stains come out or are they permanent?

    Cherries contain tannins making their stains sometimes tough to remove but with elbow grease, you should be able to get them out of your clothes. Avoid machine-drying clothing with cherry stains because the hot temperature may permanently set the stain.

  • How do you get cherry stains out of fabric?

    The key is to break down the stain by flushing it out and pretreating it before tossing it in the washer.

  • Do you use hot or cold water to get cherry stains out?

    First, flush the stain from the fabric using cold water. Then when washing the pretreated item, use the hottest water recommended for the fabric.

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  1. How to Use Bleach in Laundry to Clean, White, Remove Stains, and Sanitize. Clorox.