How to remove avocado stains from clothing

While avocado is a delicious and healthy fruit to eat, dealing with avocado stains on clothing can be a pain, especially if not tackled immediately. Avocados have a higher oil content than most other fruits, which complicates the process; water alone will usually not be sufficient to remove the stain. The process is simple enough, though, that it’s easy to avoid a trip to the dry cleaners. Most importantly, start trying to remove the stain as early as possible. If it has already turned from bright green to brown, you’re less likely to succeed.

Preparing the stain for removal

The first step to removing avocado stains from clothing is to get any remaining bits of the fruit’s pulp off of the fabric. A damp washcloth may do the trick if the pulp isn’t embedded too far, but if that doesn’t work, scrape carefully using a dull tool, being cautious not to damage the fabric. Try using a butter knife or a spoon. Next, rinse the stain with cold water and apply dish detergent, gently rubbing it into the fabric. Let it soak in cold water for 15 minutes to a half an hour, rubbing at the stain every few minutes.

Removing the stain

After preparation as detailed above, most avocado stains will react well to a simple laundering in the washing machine. If the stain is still fairly visible, apply your favorite pre-treat stain remover first. Then, depending on the type of fabric that you’re washing, use the hottest water possible. Add bleach if the fabric can handle it.

Repeat as necessary

After removing the item of clothing from the washing machine, check to make sure that the avocado stain is gone. If not, you can try repeating the whole process, but most importantly, do not put it in the dryer yet. If you do, the stain will set and you’ll likely never be able to remove it. If the stain persists after several repetitions, it’s time to see a professional. Be sure to point out the location of the stain and tell the cleaner that it’s from an avocado.

You can also follow the same first few steps of the process to attempt to remove avocado stains from other surfaces, such as carpets or furniture. Scrape away the remaining fruit, rinse with cold water, and repeatedly scrub with detergent until the stain is gone. Again, the most important thing about avocado stains is to start removing them as soon as possible, and don’t let the fabric dry until you’re satisfied that it’s completely clean.