Whether it’s atop a fresh salad or loaded inside of a juicy burger, tomatoes can be a delicious choice for any meal. However, sometimes these tasty treats can leave behind an unexpected surprise in the form of pesky tomato stains! But never fear—we have some tips and tricks that will help you remove those stubborn stains and restore your clothing to its former glory. 

Removing Fresh Tomato Stains from Clothing 

Removing fresh tomato stains from clothing is actually easier than you might think. All you need are some paper towels and a bit of elbow grease. Start by blotting up as much of the stain as possible with the paper towels. Do not rub the stain vigorously or you may spread it even more! Once you’ve blotted up all of the excess liquid, flush the area with cold water while still blotting with the paper towel until most of the stain has been removed. Then, soak your clothing in cold water for at least 30 minutes before washing as usual in cold water (no hot temperatures here!). This should help remove any remaining traces of the stain and make sure it doesn’t set in permanently! To tackle stains, without dirtying up the planet, we recommend using an eco laundry detergent, like our Laundrythings.

Removing Set-in Tomato Stains from Clothing 

Set-in tomato stains can be more difficult to remove because they have had time to set and bond with the fibers of your fabric. To tackle these tough stains, start by soaking them overnight in white vinegar or lemon juice before attempting to wash them with warm soapy water.  If that doesn’t do the trick, try using an enzyme laundry detergent such as OxiClean or Spray 'n Wash pre-treater on the stained area before washing again in warm water. If all else fails, try treating with hydrogen peroxide or chlorine bleach (for whites only) before laundering one last time in cold water for best results. 

Removing Tomato Stains from Dishes & Pots/Pans 

Tomato sauce splatters are a common occurrence when cooking meals involving tomatoes but don't worry—we've got some tips for removing those pesky splatters too! Start by soaking dishes overnight in hot soapy water (we’d recommend Washupthings for this) or put them through an automatic dishwasher cycle (with dishwasher tabs, like our Dishthings). For tougher spots on pots and pans, try scrubbing them gently with baking soda or an abrasive cleaner like Bon Ami powder cleanser. If all else fails, fill your pot or pan with enough hot vinegar to cover all sides of the container and let it sit for at least an hour before scrubbing clean and rinsing thoroughly. 

So go ahead and enjoy that delicious tomato dish without worrying about what comes next because now you know how easy it is to clean up after yourself when things get messy.