How To Remove Tomato Stains

Tomato stains are quite common, because they are such a popular food, and they stain things so easily.

The key with almost any stain is to act as quickly as possible, but this is especially true for stains caused by tomato because of the difficulty in removing them, otherwise.

Of course, just because tomatoes are food doesn't mean that they only stain your clothing, but they are just as likely to stain your upholstery and carpet, especially at a party or other event where people are carrying food around with them.

Below are instructions for removing tomato juice, sauce, soup, paste and other stains caused by tomato, from fabric, upholstery and carpet.

Removing Tomato and Tomato Soup Stains From Fabric

Step 1: Scrape off any excess tomatoes from the fabric, being careful not to spread the stain 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 spot as possible.

Hint: The sooner you do this after the stain 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 it.

Step 9: If step number 7 did not get out the spot 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 oxygen bleach or chlorine bleach if safe for the fabric.

How To Remove A Tomato Or Tomato Paste Stain From Upholstery

Step 1: Scrape off any excess tomato or tomato juice, paste or soup from the upholstery.

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

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

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

Step 5: Repeat steps 3-4 until the tomato stains 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 spot.

You can also try vinegar for tomato 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.

How To Remove Tomato Stain From Carpet

The instructions for removal of stains caused by tomatoes 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.

CAUTION: Since vinegar is an acid and ammonia is a base using one after the other in an attempt to remove stains will just neutralize the effects of both. To avoid this make sure you thoroughly rinse one solution out of the fibers before using a different stain removal solution.

Removing Stains Caused By Tomato From Plastic

It seems like everyone who saves leftovers that contain tomatoes as an ingredient knows about plastic stains caused by tomatoes.

Even after the bowl or container comes out of the dishwasher it seems to retain an orange tint on it.

Check out this tip for how to remove stains caused by tomato from plastic to learn some ideas for getting those containers clean and stain free.

Recommended Tomato Sauce Stain Removers

Perhaps you don't want to make your own stain remover, but instead want to use something designed to to remove tomato stains (like this tomato soup stain to the right).

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 Stains

Carbona Stain Devil #3 For Condiment Stains

Swash Get It Out Pen

Soft Scrub Gel With Bleah For Removal On Countertop

Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Detergent

Finish Powerball Tabs For Inside Dishwasher

Blue Magic Upholstery Cleaner For Couch Cushions

Shout Advanced Ultra Gel With Scrubber

Whink Wash Away Laundry Stain Remover

Wisk Laundry Detergent

Zout Laundry Pretreater

Oxiclean Baby Stain Soaker

BIZ As Presoaker

Shout Advanced Ultra Gel Spray When Go Through Dryer

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

Submit Your Own Stain Removal Tip For Tomatoes

Do you have your own tip for removing these spots and spills? If so, submit your tip here, or read even more 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.

Third photo by Muffet, fourth photo by xelusionx and sixth photo by JakesDad

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

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Go From Removing Tomato 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.