Grass stains will disappear from clothes with 85p household staple

Daily Record

10-05-2025

Chlorophyll is the green pigment in grass that latches onto clothes and makes it hard to remove.
Parents will know the pain of trying to get rid of grass stains. No matter how much you scrub, the stubborn green marks won't always budge. The reason for this frustration is chlorophyll, the green pigment in grass, which loves to latch onto materials, especially more sensitive ones like wool and silk.
A clothing expert has now revealed that an unexpected kitchen staple could be the answer to your problems. Josh Neuman, founder of Chummy Tees, said ordinary sugar from your kitchen cupboard is the secret weapon that will banish those stubborn green marks that plague clothing.
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While most people think the best thing to do is reach for chemical cleaners or bleach, simple table sugar creates a paste that breaks down the chlorophyll before it sets permanently into fabric fibres.
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Neuman said: "Sugar actually binds with the chlorophyll in grass stains when mixed with warm water. This process loosens the stain from the fabric fibres, making it much easier to remove during a normal wash cycle."
The expert recommended creating a simple paste with half a cup of sugar and enough warm water to form a thick consistency similar to toothpaste.
He added: "Apply the sugar paste directly to the stain as soon as possible after it happens, and let it sit for about an hour before washing as normal.
"The sugar molecules help break down the plant cells in the stain, effectively lifting it from the fabric."
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Neuman stressed timing is vital when treating grass stains.
"Fresh stains respond much better to this treatment than ones that have already dried or gone through a hot wash cycle," he explained.
"Once a stain sets, it becomes much more difficult to remove."
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When chlorophyll transfers to clothing, it acts like a dye, soaking deep into fabric fibres rather than sitting on the surface.
The T-shirt expert also warned about a common mistake: "Make absolutely sure you've rinsed all the sugar solution out before drying the garment.
"Any sugar left on the fabric when exposed to heat can caramelise and create a new stain that's almost impossible to remove.
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For stubborn or dried stains, Neuman suggested a modified approach. "Dampen the stain first with warm water, then apply the sugar paste and gently work it into the fabric with an old toothbrush before letting it sit for a couple of hours."
"Always check the garment's care label first," Neuman cautioned. "If it says 'dry clean only', take it to a professional cleaner and point out the stain. This sugar method works best on machine-washable fabrics."
The expert also said sugar's stain-fighting properties extend beyond grass marks.
He noted: "It's also surprisingly effective on certain food stains like tomato sauce. The sugar granules provide a gentle abrasive action while the molecular structure helps break down the stain components."