How To Get Ketchup Out of Clothes, Upholstery, and Carpet

If you’re a ketchup lover, you know sometimes things can get messy. All it takes is one hard hit to the bottom of the bottle and now have ketchup stains on your clothes, upholstery, and carpet.

It's frustrating, but don't worry! We'll show you how to get ketchup out of clothes in four easy steps, plus bonus tips for removing ketchup from upholstery and carpet (because let’s face it, with ketchup, it usually happens to all three at once.) 

Let’s get started. 

What you’ll need

• Mild laundry detergent
• A spoon or blunt knife
• A basin or bowl
• Clean water
• A soft-bristled brush

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How to get ketchup out of clothes in 4 steps

To get ketchup out of clothes, act fast and scrape off the excess. Then, rinse under running cold water and pre-treat the stain with a mild liquid detergent, gently rubbing it into the fabric. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the detergent to penetrate the stain, then rinse again and launder the clothes as usual.

For more detailed instructions on this method, follow the steps below.

1. Scrape off excess ketchup

Start by using a spoon or a blunt knife to gently scrape off excess ketchup from the article of clothing. Act quickly and be careful not to spread the stain further. The faster you treat the stain, the better the chances of complete removal.

2. Rinse with cold water

Next, hold the stained area under cold running water to flush out as much ketchup as possible. This helps prevent the stain from setting.

3. Pre-treat the stain

Apply a small amount of mild laundry detergent directly onto the stain. Then, gently rub the detergent into the fabric using your fingers or a soft brush, ensuring it covers the entire stained area.

Allow the pre-treatment to sit on the stain for 10 to 15 minutes. This allows the detergent to penetrate the fabric and break down the stain.

4. Launder as usual

After pre-treating the stain, launder the clothing as you normally would, following the instructions on the care label. 

If the stain is completely gone, you can air dry the clothing or tumble dry it according to the care instructions. However, if the stain remains after laundering, repeat pre-treating it with either laundry detergent as before or white vinegar and water. 

Pro tip: Avoid using high heat in the dryer until you're certain the stain is fully removed to prevent setting the stain.

Why does ketchup stain?

Ketchup stains because of the presence of lycopene pigment, oils, and tannin (the same thing found in red wine). The coloring and tannins adhere to porous surfaces leading to stubborn stains that are difficult to remove.

Can ketchup stains be washed? Hot or cold

Yes, ketchup stains can be washed. It’s best to quickly rinse the ketchup with cold water and then treat the stain with a mild detergent before laundering as usual. If you use hot water, it will speed up the reaction of tomato and vinegar in ketchup and cause the stain to set, making it more challenging to remove. 

Does Dawn remove ketchup stains?

Dawn dish soap effectively removes ketchup stains due to its grease-cutting properties. It breaks down the oils and pigments in ketchup, lifting the stain from the fabric. To use: apply Dawn to the stain, gently rub it in, and let sit for a few minutes; then launder as usual.

How to remove ketchup stains from upholstery

Follow these steps to get ketchup stains out of upholstery.

• Act quickly and remove excess ketchup with a spoon or blunt knife.
• Blot the stain gently with a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb as much of the ketchup as possible.
• Mix a few squirts of mild dish soap with warm water.
• Dip a clean cloth or sponge in the solution and wring it out so that it’s just damp.
• Use the dampened sponge or cloth to blot the area gently. Make sure you're not oversaturating the upholstery.
• Rinse the cloth or sponge with clean water and use it to continue blotting the stain. Repeat until all soap residue is removed. 
• Blot the area with a dry cloth or towel to absorb excess moisture after rinsing.
• Allow the upholstery to air dry.

How to remove ketchup stains from carpet

Here’s how to remove ketchup stains from carpet.

• Begin by scraping off excess ketchup with a spoon or blunt knife, being careful not to spread the stain further.
• Mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. (Alternatively, you can use a carpet stain remover or a mixture of mild dish soap and water.)
• Apply a small amount of the solution directly to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes to penetrate the fibers.
• Gently blot the stain using a clean cloth or sponge, working from the outside towards the center.
• Rinse the cloth or sponge with clean water and continue blotting to remove the solution.

Repeat applying the solution, blotting, and rinsing until the stain is gone.

• Once the stain has been removed, blot the area with a dry cloth or towel to absorb excess moisture, then allow the carpet to air dry completely.
• If needed, vacuum the carpet to restore its texture.

In addition to ketchup stains, wax and paint are two other problem substances when it comes to stains. We’ve got you covered! To get started, read our articles on how to get wax out of clothes and how to get paint out of clothes.

Tackle ketchup stains easily and effectively

You can effectively tackle ketchup stains with prompt action and the proper cleaning techniques. Act quickly and scrape off excess ketchup, rinse under running cold water to prevent further setting, and pre-treat before washing. 

Meanwhile, if faced with dried ketchup stains, soak the area in cold water for 10 to 15 minutes to loosen up the ketchup before proceeding with the cleaning steps in this article.

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