If you or your kids drink Gatorade a lot, you will eventually get some on your clothes or sports uniform. Although the stains left behind from Gatorade aren’t too hard to remove, they can be tricky depending on the color of the Gatorade stain and how long it’s been there. So how do you get Gatorade out of clothes?
The best way to get Gatorade out of clothes is to treat the stain as quickly as possible. Start by rinsing out the stain as much as possible. Then, you can use club soda, liquid dish soap, vinegar, stain remover, bleach, or a combination to remove the Gatorade stain. Finally, just wash the clothing.
In this article, I’ll explain how to get Gatorade out of clothes. This includes everything you need to know about which products to use and how to use them. And if Gatorade got spilled on your upholstery or carpet, I’ll also explain how to remove those stains.
Does Gatorade Come Out of Clothes?
First things first, will Gatorade come out of clothes? Generally, the answer is yes, especially if you treat the stain quickly. Gatorade is a water-based stain, so you shouldn’t have much trouble getting it out. However, getting the color off of your clothes can be the trickiest.
And you should be able to remove the stain even if it’s wet or dry. However, it’s always better to remove the stain as soon as possible before it dries, especially if the stain is larger. Gatorade stains on white clothes may be harder to remove. This especially depends on the color of the Gatorade. But you should still be able to get any Gatorade stain out with the right products and by treating the stain quickly.
Are Gatorade Stains Permanent?
In most cases, Gatorade stains aren’t permanent, even if they aren’t fresh. However, if the stain has been there for several years without being treated, it may be harder to get out. For example, let’s say you found a shirt or old uniform with a Gatorade stain on it hiding in the back of your closet for several years. The stain may not necessarily be permanent. But you’ll probably have a harder time getting it out.
Something that may result in a permanent Gatorade stain is if you’ve simply been washing and drying the shirt to get the stain out without actually treating it. If the stained clothing goes through the dryer several times, it can set the stain permanently. This is because of the heat produced by the dryer. Other products may not be able to remove the stain. In that case, bleach may be the only thing that will work.
How to Get Gatorade Out of Clothes
If you spill Gatorade on your clothes, it’s best to treat the stain as soon as possible. For best results, treat the stain while it is still wet. However, this isn’t possible in some cases. As long as you try to remove the stain that day and don’t put it through the dryer first, you shouldn’t have too much trouble.
You can always use commercial stain removers or bleach to remove a Gatorade stain. However, there are several other common household products you can use. If you’re left with a Gatorade stain on your clothing, here is what you may need to do to remove it.
Rinse the Stain
If the stain is still wet, the first thing you will want to do is try to rinse out as much of the stain as possible. Run the stain under lukewarm water until it starts to come out. If the stain is fresh, you should be able to rinse most of it. However, if the stain is dry or has been there a while, you may not be able to get any of it out just by rinsing it.
Club Soda
After rinsing out the stain as much as possible, try pouring club soda on it. If you don’t know, club soda is an acidic type of carbonated water that can be an effective stain remover. The acid helps to break down stains.
All you have to do is pour a little club soda on the Gatorade stain to re-wet it. Then, use a clean rag or paper towel to blot at the stain until it starts to come off. Repeat the process or move to the next method if it doesn’t come out completely.
Liquid Dish Soap
You can also use liquid dish soap to remove Gatorade stains. Liquid dish soap is designed for breaking down food and liquid-based stains on dishes, but it can also work on other surfaces, including fabric. It won’t cause any damage to your clothes either.
Mix 1 tablespoon dish soap with 2 cups of cool to lukewarm water. Dip a rag in the solution and apply it to the Gatorade stain. Then, blot the stain with the rag until the stain starts to be removed. Repeat as necessary, then rinse off the dish soap before washing the clothing or moving to the next method.
Vinegar
Vinegar is another common household product used as a stain remover. Like club soda, vinegar is acidic, and the acid in vinegar can break down Gatorade stains. Vinegar can also be a safer alternative to bleach, especially on clothing that isn’t white.
To use it:
- Create a solution with vinegar and water.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar to two cups of cool lukewarm water.
- Apply the solution to the stain with a rag and let it sit for about 30 minutes.
- Blot it with a clean cloth until the stain starts to come out.
If the stain is older or quite large, another way to use vinegar to remove a Gatorade stain is to make a vinegar soak. Fill a sink or washtub with cool water, then add about ¼ cup of vinegar. Submerge the entire garment in the water and vinegar mixture and let it soak for about 30 minutes. Then, rinse the vinegar out under cool water.
Stain Remover
If the other methods were unsuccessful, the Gatorade stain is large or caused by red, purple, or blue Gatorade, you may need something a bit stronger to remove it. This is where you may want to turn to a commercial stain remover product.
These products come in different forms, but stick form and spray form are the most common. These products may be applied in different ways depending on the type of product. So, just read the instructions on the packaging to apply it to the stain. Then, let it sit for the time specified on the packaging before washing the clothing.
If the clothing is colored or delicate, be wary of using stain removers that contain bleach and opt for a bleach-free product instead. Stain removers containing bleach can damage or discolor the clothing, which is not what you want to happen to your kid’s sports uniform or your favorite t-shirt.
Bleach
If all else fails, you can use bleach. Or, if the stain has been there for a while, you may want to jump straight to this method in the first place. Just make sure you use the right type of bleach for the clothing you have.
If the stained clothing is white, you can use chlorine bleach as long as it is safe for the clothing. Check the care tag before using chlorine bleach on any type of clothing, as some fabrics aren’t safe to bleach, even if they are white. If the clothing is colored or bleach is not safe for the fabric, you can use oxygen bleach instead.
When using bleach, it’s very important that you follow the instructions on the packaging carefully. This is especially true with chlorine bleach. Too much bleach can damage the clothing or make you sick from breathing in the fumes. Whether using chlorine or oxygen bleach, follow the instructions on the packaging for how to use it safely and properly.
Wash the Clothing
After trying one or more of the methods above, wash the clothing to finish removing the stain and rinse whatever stain remover products you used out of the clothing. You can use your regular laundry detergent and a normal wash cycle.
After washing, check the stain to see if it has been removed completely. If it has, you can put the clothing in the dryer. If the stain is still there, repeat one or more of the above methods before washing the clothing again. Remember that the dryer may cause stains to set permanently, so make sure the stain is gone before putting the clothing in the dryer.
How to Get Gatorade Out of Upholstery and Carpets
Now you know how to get Gatorade out of your clothes. But what happens if Gatorade gets spilled on your upholstery or carpets? Gatorade can be harder to remove from upholstery and carpets since you can’t wash them, so how do you get it out?
The best thing to do is to first try to blot as much of the Gatorade as possible using a clean rag or paper towel, especially if the stain is still wet. Then, apply club soda to the stain and blot it until the stain starts to come up.
If this doesn’t work, you can also try to use dish soap or vinegar, following the instructions mentioned above. If using dish soap or vinegar, just rinse the area with plain water afterward.
If all else fails or if the stain has been there a while, you can use an upholstery or carpet cleaner and steamer to remove the stain. Or, you can call in a professional carpet and upholstery cleaner to do it for you.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this guide was helpful in teaching you how to remove Gatorade from your clothes and in some cases, your upholstery and carpet. The best thing to do is treat the stain as quickly as possible by rinsing it with water. Then, you can use household products such as club soda, dish soap, or vinegar to remove the stain before moving on to stronger commercial products.