How to Remove Wood Stain From Clothes

By
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette 2018
Mary Marlowe Leverette

Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40+ years of experience and 20+ years of writing experience. Mary is also a member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board.

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Updated on 11/13/23
Fact checked by
Jillian Dara
Jillian Dara
Fact checked by Jillian Dara
Jillian is a freelance journalist with 10 years of editorial experience in the lifestyle genre. She is a writer and fact checker for TripSavvy, as well as a fact-checker for The Spruce.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
person using wood stain on a surface

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu 

In This Article
Project Overview
  • Working Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 1 - 2 hrs
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0

Wood-staining products can be challenging to remove from fabric due to the dye, oils, and chemicals in them. Removing large stains—especially those wholly soaked through the fibers—is nearly impossible. But, there is hope for eliminating small drips or an accidental smear on clothes. The cleaning products or solvents you need are most likely available in your house.

As you remove the stain, be aware that you should never dry clothes with wood stain spots in a clothes dryer until the stain is entirely gone. Drying the stain in a clothes dryer will set it permanently. It may be hard to tell if the stain is completely gone while the fabric is wet, but resist the temptation to machine dry it. Air dry it instead.

Follow these steps to remove wood stains from clothing.

Warning

According to the National Fire Protection Association, clothes that have come in contact with flammable substances, like gasoline, paint thinner, or similar solvents, should be laid outside to dry, then can be washed and dried as usual.

How to Remove Wood Stain From Clothes

The Spruce / Madelyn Goodnight

Stain type Oil- and dye-based 
Detergent type Mineral spirits, laundry detergent
Water temperature Cold or warm
Cycle type Varies depending on the type of fabric
The 10 Best Laundry Detergents of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Clean white cloth, paper towel, or cotton swab
  • Washing machine

Materials

  • Mineral spirits
  • Laundry detergent

Instructions

tools for removing wood stain from clothes
The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu 

How to Remove Wood Stain From Clothes

You will have the best results if you catch the problem quickly and treat it immediately.

dabbing mineral spirits on the stain
The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu  

  1. Dab Mineral Spirits on the Stain

    • Apply mineral spirits to the stain with a clean white cloth or cotton swab.
    • Test the mineral spirits on an inside seam because it can cause changes in fabric color.
    • Start at the outside edge of the stain and work toward the center to prevent spreading the stain.
    • Work on a small section at a time and move to a clean area of the cloth as the stain is transferred from the fabric.

    Warning

    Blot, do not rub. Rubbing will only push the wood stain into the material's fibers and smear it around, making it worse.

  2. Wash According to Care Label

    • After removing the stain, wash as usual with laundry detergent, following the guidelines on the care label.
    • Only machine dry if the stain is gone.
    Laundering according to the garment's care label

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu  

Additional Tips for Removing Wood Stain on Clothing

If the stain remains on the clothing, repeat the stain removal steps. If the stain has not disappeared after a second treatment, it is most likely permanent. If the wood stain on clothing is older and has dried and set, it is also likely permanent. It is still worth a try to use the steps to see if the stain can be removed.

Test any detergent or cleaning solution in an inconspicuous area first to ensure it does not discolor the fabric.

If the garment is labeled dry clean only, immediately take it to your dry cleaner. Point out and identify the stain to help your professional cleaner choose the proper treatment. 

FAQ
  • Does wood stain wash out of clothes?

    You will need to try removing the stain before washing the item. Tossing a piece of clothing in the wash before treating will typically not work to remove the stain.

  • Can you remove dried wood stain from clothes?

    Though it's always best to try removing a fresh wood stain, you can use mineral spirits on a clean white cloth to moisten a dry stain to dab it out of the item. Place a paper towel under the area you are dabbing with the cloth and mineral spirits to catch any color and prevent anything from spreading on the fabric. Patiently dab at the stain until it is removed, then wash the garment normally.

  • Will acetone bleach clothes?

    Mineral spirits can remove oil-based wood stains, and you can use acetone to remove water-based wood stains and other difficult stains. However, use acetone cautiously because it can remove the dye from some clothing. Acetone can also dissolve acetate fibers. Read the garment's label for fiber content before using acetone to remove stains.

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  1. Dryer Safety Tips. National Fire Protection Association.