Dealing with egg stains on your clothes can be annoying and frustrating. But don’t worry – with the right techniques, you can get rid of them. Whether it’s scrambled eggs that dripped on your shirt or raw egg that splattered on your pants, this guide will walk you through the simple process of removing egg stains.
What You’ll Need
Before you start, gather the following supplies:
- Dish soap or laundry detergent
- White vinegar
- Cold water
- Clean sponge or washcloth
- Old toothbrush (optional)
Make sure you have these ready to go before tackling the egg stain. The quicker you can treat the stain, the better chance you have of getting it out.
Step 1: Rinse With Cold Water
As soon as you notice the egg stain, rinse the fabric under cold running water. Cold water can help prevent the egg from setting into the fabric. Gently rub the stain between your fingers under the stream to help loosen it up.
Run cold water through the back of the stain too to push the egg residue out from the other side. Keep rinsing for at least 1 minute.
Step 2: Apply Dish Soap
Next, apply a small amount of dish soap directly onto the stain. Use a clean sponge or washcloth to gently scrub the egg stain. Make sure to concentrate on the edges of the stain so it doesn’t spread further into the fabric.
Rub the dish soap thoroughly into the stain using a circular motion. This will help lift the oils and proteins from the egg.
Step 3: Rinse Again
Once you’ve scrubbed the dish soap in, rinse the fabric again under cold running water. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear.
Check the stain – you may need to repeat steps 2 and 3 if the egg stain persists. With a bit more elbow grease, you should be able to get rid of any remaining residue.<blank line>
Step 4: Soak in Vinegar
For tough, set-in egg stains, you’ll need to soak the fabric. Fill a bowl or basin with cold water and 1 cup of distilled white vinegar.
Submerge the egg-stained fabric completely in the vinegar solution. Let it soak for at least 15 minutes – more time may be needed for dried stains. This will help dissolve any remaining protein fibers.
As an alternative, you can also try directly applying undiluted vinegar onto the stain. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing. The acetic acid in the vinegar works wonders at breaking down stubborn egg residue.<blank line>
Step 5: Launder as Usual
After soaking and rinsing the stain in vinegar, put the item in with your usual laundry. Use hot water, your regular detergent, and add in an extra rinse cycle.
The heat from the wash, paired with the detergent and an acid rinse (white vinegar or lemon juice works), will take care of lifting out any last traces of the egg stain.
Then, let the garment air dry – the heat from a dryer may set in any remaining residues. Once completely dry, your clothes should be fresh, clean and egg-stain free!<blank line>
Tips for Avoiding Future Egg Stains
Here are some handy tips to avoid egg stains down the road:
- Wear an apron when cooking or baking with eggs
- Immediately rinse any clothing that gets egg on it
- Use thicker, dark-colored kitchen towels when handling eggs
- Store eggs properly so they don’t crack or leak in the fridge
- Check pockets before doing laundry for any forgotten cracked eggs
The Earlier You Act, the Better
The key thing to remember is to treat egg stains as soon as possible. The longer egg sits on fabric, the harder it’ll be to get out. A quick response is best – just grab your stain-removing supplies and take action right away.
With the proper methods and some elbow grease, you’ll be able to banish pesky egg stains for good. No more ruined clothes or permanent egg residue. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll get your fresh, clean look back in no time.
References
American Cleaning Institute. “How to Remove Egg Stains.” Accessed January 19, 2024. https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes/how-remove-egg-stains
Good Housekeeping. “How to Get Egg Out of Fabric.” Accessed January 19, 2024. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a32773/remove-egg-stains-fabric/
Tide. “How To Get Egg Stains Out Of Clothes.” Accessed January 19, 2024. https://tide.com/en-us/how-to-wash-clothes/how-to-get-stains-out-of-clothes/how-to-get-egg-stains-out
Laura has had an enthusiasm for laundry ever since she was a teenager experimenting with wash cycles. She went on study textile science in college before working in product testing.
Soon, Laura found friends and family constantly asking her laundry advice, realizing she had become an unofficial laundry guru. The questions kept coming in, so Laura decided to start sharing laundry tips online to help more people. The enthusiastic response led her start the blog “Laundry How”.
Now in her late thirties, Laura uses Laundry How to tackle all kinds of laundry topics – stains, fabric care, detergents, and more. She provides advice from both her studies and experience testing techniques out firsthand. Laura continues to grow an engaged community of laundry learners, feeling fulfilled empowering people to make laundry an easy, confidence-building ritual rather than a dreaded chore.