How To Remove Spaghetti Stains

Spaghetti stains can get everywhere fast! You know what I mean if you've ever watched a baby eat something with spaghetti sauce on it.

How do they manage to get it in their hair and down their pants both? I don't know -- but I know it happens. You can dip junior in the tub -- but what about those clothes, and the carpet, or gasp, the couch?

Below are instructions for spaghetti sauce stain removal from fabric, upholstery and carpet.

But also be aware that below are instructions for removing the most obvious part of the stain -- the tomato sauce part of the stain.

If a greasy film still remains after treatment you most likely also have a grease stain, and should check this article on how to remove cooking oil and grease stains for more instructions for removing that part of the stain as well.

How To Remove Spaghetti Stains From Clothing

Step 1: Scrape off any excess spaghetti sauce from the fabric, being careful not to spread it more.

Step 2: Run the fabric under cold running water (not warmer water), letting the water run over the back of the stain so it does not spread it further or cause the stain to travel through the garment.

Step 3: Pretreat the stain with liquid laundry detergent, barely rubbing it in, but more like just coating the stain, and then let it sit for several minutes.

Step 4: Rinse well.

Step 5: Use a white cloth to sponge white vinegar onto the spot and then rinse thoroughly.

Step 6: Repeat steps 3-5 until you have removed as much of the spaghetti stains as possible.

Hint: The sooner you do this after the spot or spill occurs, the easier it will be.

Step 7: Pretreat with a laundry stain remover and wash as normal.

Step 8: Make sure before you place the item in the dryer that the stain is completely removed. If it is not then do not place in the dryer, as it will set the stain.

Hint: What if you've missed the stain completely, and it has gone through the dryer and set? Here is my advice for trying to remove set spaghetti sauce stains once they've gone through the dryer.

Step 9: If step number 7 did not get out the stain again coat the stained area with liquid laundry detergent and let it soak in warm water for around half an hour. Then, launder again, using either color safe bleach or chlorine bleach if safe for the fabric.

Spaghetti Sauce Stain Removal From Upholstery

Step 1: Scrape off any excess spaghetti sauce from the upholstery, taking care not to spread the spot further.

Step 2: Mix a solution of two cups cool water and one tablespoon dishwashing liquid.

Step 3: Using this solution, sponge the stain with a clean white cloth.

Step 4: Next, blot at it until the liquid is absorbed.

Step 5: Repeat steps 3-4 until the spots are removed from the upholstery.

Step 6: Now that the stain is removed you should get plain cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the cleaning solution, and then blot dry.

Hint: Be sure to get the upholstery only as wet as necessary to remove the stain.

You can also try white vinegar for spaghetti stain removal, but be careful on upholstery to test first in an inconspicuous location to make sure the vinegar will not discolor the upholstery fabric.

You can get more information on how to clean upholstery here.

Spaghetti Stain Removal From Carpet

The instructions for removal of stains caused by spaghetti sauce from carpet is the same as for upholstery.

However, if you don't have luck with this stain removal method above you can also do something additional with the carpet stain, which is to mix a solution of one tablespoon of ammonia with two cups warm water, and use this as a stain removal solution.

CAUTION: Since vinegar is an acid and ammonia a base, using one after the other in attempting to remove stains will just neutralize the effects of both. Therefore, thoroughly rinse away one stain removal solution before using another.

Hint: Here are some additional pasta sauce removal tips from readers if you're looking for more ideas.

Further, a reader, Angela shared a simple homemade carpet stain remover recipe that worked for her when her son vomited spaghetti all over her carpet.

Recommended Spaghetti Sauce Stain Removers

Perhaps you don't want to make your own stain remover, but instead want to use something designed to to remove spaghetti stains.

Here are some articles and reviews on this site from readers who shared what products worked for them to remove these stains, or which discuss products that are designed to remove them:

Tide To Go Pen

Borax Powder For Laundry

Carbona Stain Devil #2

Swash Get It Out Pen

Soft Scrub Gel With Bleach For Countertop

Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Detergent

Era Detergent

Shaklee Laundry Products

Presoaking Laundry With Oxiclean

Whink Wash Away Pretreater When Go Through Dryer

Shout Advanced Ultra Gel Spray When Go Through Dryer

Zout Laundry Pretreater Works!

You can also share your own stain remover reviews here, telling me what remover worked well for you to get out stains caused by spaghetti sauce, or anything else.

Submit Your Own Stain Removal Tip For Tomatoes

Do you have your own stain removal tip for removing stains from tomatoes? If so, submit your tip about removing stains caused by tomatoes here, or read the tips already submitted.

Get Even More Stain And Spot Removal Help Here

Are you a stain magnet like me? If so, check out the A to Z Stain Removal Guide which gives directions for how to remove over 100 types of stains from all kinds of surfaces.

Fourth photo by startcooking_kathy_&_amandine and sixth photo by Pink Sherbet Photography

Related Pages You May Enjoy

A-Z Guide: Instructions For Removing Over 100 Types Of Stains

Removing Vinegar Stains (Like Balsamic Or Red Wine Vinegar)

Go From Removing Spaghetti Stains To Home Page

CAUTION: This website is provided for informational purposes only. It is provided as is, without warranties or guarantees. Some stains and messes just won't come out, and are permanent. Further, some cleaning methods can harm your item, so if what you want to clean or launder is sentimental or expensive call a professional. See disclaimer of liability for more information.