How To Get BBQ Sauce Out Of Clothes
How to get BBQ sauce out of clothes? It’s normal to have some BBQ sauce on your shirt if you are joining a BBQ party. It’s just simply inevitable, so what can you do to remove BBQ sauce from your clothing items and prevent the permanent stain on them?
BBQ sauce stain is typically like the ketchup and hot sauce with a tomato-based texture. However, it usually contains grease, so it is a bit more complicated to solve the problem at the first attempt.
But don’t worry, it won’t be as difficult as dealing with mustard stains on your clothes! Let’s dive into those tips and tricks to get the pesky BBQ sauce off your favorite garments!
What Is Inside BBQ Sauce?
Barbecue sauce, or BBQ sauce, is a marinade, basting sauce, condiment, or topping for meat cooked over an open fire, such as hog or beef ribs and chicken. It’s a common condiment in the South, and it’s also used on a variety of other cuisines. (1)
The foundation of BBQ sauce is usually vinegar, tomato paste, or mayonnaise, with liquid smoke, onion powder, spices like mustard and black pepper, and sweeteners like sugar or molasses added in.
BBQ sauce can stain your clothes because it contains a lot of different ingredients such as turmeric or mayonnaise that are likely to leave a colored stain! Removing turmeric stains on clothing items is not complicated, and so is eliminating BBQ sauce! Let’s learn how!
The Best Methods To Get Rid Of BBQ Sauce On Your Clothing
There are some specific methods to deal with the BBQ sauce on your clothing items. The detergents used in these methods are super easy to find and use, so don’t hesitate to read through and apply them to your clothes!
Liquid Laundry Detergent And Stain Remover
Liquid laundry detergent and stain remover can be the best option to use in removing BBQ sauce on your clothes. They are both powerful solvents in household cleaning, and their combination is even more fascinating!
Preparation:
- A blunt item (spoon, butter knife)
- Liquid laundry detergent
- Stain remover
- Cold water
- Light bleach substance (hydrogen peroxide/ lemon juice/ white vinegar)
Step 1: Remove The Excess Barbecue Sauce
Gently remove the barbecue sauce from the fabric using a spoon or a butter knife. You won’t be able to remove any of the liquid that has absorbed deeply into the cloth, so please act swiftly!
Stains on other portions of the garment may also be prevented this way, such as when you get rid of the blueberry stains on clothing. Acting quickly is always the key!
Step 2: Rinse The Clothes
As fast as possible, flush the stain with cold water. A hot wash will make the stain much more difficult to remove, so avoid using hot water.
Step 3: Apply Liquid Laundry Detergent
To remove the stains, use a liquid washing detergent to the affected area. Gently massage it into the stain with your fingertips. Ideally, both sides of the garment (the front and the back) should be completely saturated.
Rinse well in warm water after letting the detergent stay on fabric for up to 10 minutes.
Note: You should only use the laundry detergent in liquid form, avoid the powdered form completely! Otherwise, you may have to find a way to eliminate the laundry detergent stains on clothes, because the powdered form may leave powdered stains! So be super careful!
Step 4 (Optional): Add Bleach
Apply a light bleaching substance, such as hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, or white vinegar, only if the clothing is white or light-colored. Use a sponge to make things easier.
Ensure that the bleach is tested in an unrecognizable region of the clothes if there is any color further than white. If you’re afraid that the color will be bleached off, then skip this step.
If you decide to apply some bleach but things don’t go well, you can always remove the bleach stain and smell on garments with some baking soda and dish detergent. But you should always adjust the amount of bleach that you use.
Step 5: Apply Stain Remover
Apply the stain remover in spray or liquid, it’s up to you. A stain remover should be applied to both the front and back sides of the cloth to ensure that the stained area is completely coated by the solution.
Within 15-20 minutes (or as directed) after using the stain remover, rinse the clothes well.
Here is a common and effective liquid stain remover that you may want to try!
Step 6 (Optional): Apply More Liquid Detergent If The Stain Remains
If the stain is still there, massage some more liquid laundry detergent on it and let it soak in warm water for approximately 30 minutes. Rinse the stain thoroughly before washing the clothes.
Step 7: Wash And Dry Your Items
Wash your clothing with regular laundry detergent and the hottest water safe for the fabric.
Take the laundry out then check to see whether the stain has been completely removed before allowing it to dry. Air dry the item on a line and check for the stain after it’s completely dried.
Warning: Do not dry the garment using a dryer until the stain is totally removed.
Step 8: Repeat The Steps Or Bring To A Professional
If after all of those steps, things still do not work as you wish, the stains still remain, then you should repeat the whole process. Bring the clothes to a professional cleaner if you don’t have time to do the steps again!
You can see this video to know more:
White Vinegar
Vinegar breaks down the acid in barbecue sauce, which is why it helps eliminate the stain. But be careful when using vinegar to treat the BBQ sauce stain, because it may leave some small bleach spots on your clothing. (2)
Option 1: Only White Vinegar
The versatile characteristics of white vinegar can help remove BBQ stain completely. So you can only use it to treat the stain.
Preparation:
- White vinegar
- A towel
- Washing machine
Instructions:
Step 1: Combine a solution of white vinegar and water in a ratio of 1:2.
Step 2: Use a spray bottle or a clean piece of cloth to apply the solution to the stain. Then allow the liquid to sit on the fabric for about 10 minutes. After that, dab the stain with a damp towel to clean.
Step 3: Wash your treated garments in the washing machine. Run a basic wash with the highest water temperature that your clothing can withstand. Air-dry the clothes.
The BBQ sauce stain may disappear in just some simple steps with white vinegar!
Option 2: Vinegar + Dish Soap
The BBQ sauce not only discolors the cloth but also leaves behind an oily residue. Dish detergent and vinegar are all you need to eliminate this sort of stain from your clothing.
Dish soap can help dissolve the oil in BBQ sauce that makes it easier to remove completely, so you may want to combine it with vinegar in a method.
Preparation:
- Vinegar
- Dishwashing detergent
Instructions:
Step 1: Soak the clothes in a solution of warm water and dish soap. This can help loosen the existing stain on the garment.
Step 2: Use a sponge to rub some vinegar directly onto the stain. You may need to rub harder on stubborn stains.
Step 3: Wash your clothing items as usual with regular laundry detergent. Line drying your clothing may be the effective way!
Option 3: Vinegar + Liquid Laundry Detergent + Stain Remover
Vinegar, liquid laundry detergent and stain remover may be the three best detergents to get rid of the stubborn BBQ sauce stains on your clothes! This can be the last method you can apply before getting your clothes to a professional cleaner.
Preparation:
- Liquid laundry detergent
- White vinegar/ hydrogen peroxide
- A stain remover
- Spoon
- Sponge
Step 1: Remove The Excess BBQ Sauce
Gently remove the barbecue sauce from the cloth with a spoon. Act as quickly as you can so that the sauce doesn’t have the chance to soak in the fibers.
Step 2: Rinse The Stain
Turn the garment inside out. Use cold water to rinse the stain from the back. Remember to use cold water, because hot water may set the stain onto your clothing.
Step 3: Apply Stain Remover
Apply the stain remover if you have one. It can help the stain go away easier. Rinse the clothes once again after letting it sit for a while.
Step 4: Apply Liquid Laundry Detergent
With your fingertips, carefully rub liquid detergent onto the stain. You may want both sides to be completely saturated.
The oily particles of the BBQ sauce that stick to the fibers of the clothes will be gradually removed using dishwashing detergent.
Step 5: Blot Stain With Vinegar
Use the sponge to dab the vinegar onto the stain. In this method, you can substitute white vinegar with hydrogen peroxide.
Step 6: Bring The Garments To Wash
Repeat the procedure to remove as much of the stain as possible, then apply some more stain remover onto the stain. Normally wash the clothes with regular laundry detergent.
If the BBQ sauce stain still persists after washing, massage it with liquid laundry detergent. Then, soak the clothes in lukewarm water for 30 minutes. Rinse the garment well before washing it again as normal.
Before placing it in the dryer, be sure the stain is gone. However, with bad-odor clothes, you should always hang them outside for air drying!
FAQs
Is there anything else you’d want to know? This commonly asked questions section may provide the answer to your inquiry. Your own questions may always be asked in the comments section below this article!
Now It’s Your Turn To Remove The Pesky BBQ Sauce Stain!
If your favorite jacket has some unattractive BBQ stains, this is your chance to renew it. Select a technique or method in this article that may work best for your clothing from this post, and don’t hesitate to inform me if you’ve used them effectively!
Is this article providing you with the information you’re looking for? If the answer is yes, please like and share it right away. Comment below this post if you’d like to share your thoughts or concerns about this topic. See you later, then!
References
- En.wikipedia.org. 2021. Barbecue sauce – Wikipedia.
- En.wikipedia.org. 2021. Vinegar – Wikipedia.
Kevin Jones
Home Cleaning Specialist
Expertise: In-depth Knowledge of Cleaning Agents and Their Uses, Advanced Home Sanitization, Techniques Expertise in Cleaning and Maintaining, Various Floor Types, Innovations in Home Cleaning Tools
School: American College of Home Economics
Kevin Jones is a seasoned home cleaning specialist with over a decade of experience in the industry. A stickler for cleanliness and organization, Kevin brings a systematic and innovative approach to home maintenance. His expertise ranges from traditional methods to modern cleaning technology, ensuring homes are not just clean but healthy environments too.