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How to Get a Stain Out of a Sweatshirt?

How to Get a Stain Out of a Sweatshirt?

Oct 08, 2025

Home Of Apparel USA LLC

Whether it’s your go-to hoodie or white sweatshirt you just splurged on, nothing ruins the look faster than an unsightly blotch. Wondering how to get a stain out of a sweatshirt? Good news, with the right tools and tips, set-in stains can be removed.

From grease and oil to coffee and sweat, we’ll walk you through every method for stain removal, using proven techniques, home remedies for stain removal, and a few handy laundry hacks for stain removal. This isn’t just about cleaning. It’s about reviving your wardrobe.

Understand the Type of Stain Before You Start

Before reaching for the detergent, ask yourself: What kind of stain is this?

There are several types of stains in clothes, each requiring a unique treatment:

  • Grease and oil stains from food or other contact

  • Sweat stains that cause yellowing under the arms

  • Coffee or tea stains (guilty morning spills)

  • Ink stains from pens or markers

  • Mud and dirt from outdoor activity

Identifying the stain type helps determine the best stain removers for clothes and prevents you from setting the stain further. If you’re wondering how do you remove set-in stains from sweatshirts, the first step is always proper identification.

You don’t always need a fancy cleaner. Sometimes, pantry staples work better.

How to Pretreat Stains Before Washing a Sweatshirt?

How to pretreat stains before washing a sweatshirt is important knowledge if you want great results. Pretreatment helps break down the stain before it goes through the wash cycle.

Pretreating Steps:

  1. Blot, don’t rub. Use a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb excess residue.

  2. Apply liquid detergent directly to the stained area.

  3. For tougher stains, use a DIY stain remover (we’ll show you how in the next section).

  4. Let it sit for at least 15–30 minutes.

This is important if you're asking can you bleach a sweatshirt to remove stains? Bleach can damage fabric and fade color, so try pretreating first, when cleaning an Essentials hoodie or other premium brand.

If you're dealing with an oil stain, pretreating with dish soap can do wonders.

DIY Home Remedies for Stain Removal That Actually Work

DIY Home Remedies for Stain Removal That Actually Work

If you're not into store-bought solutions, here’s how to get oil stains out of a sweatshirt at home, and tackle just about any other mark, too.

Best DIY Stain Remover Recipe:

  • 2 tablespoons baking soda

  • 1 tablespoon Dawn dish soap

  • 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide

Mix into a paste, apply to the stain, and gently scrub with a toothbrush. Let it sit for 30–60 minutes before rinsing.

If you're wondering, can you use baking soda to clean stains from clothes? The answer is yes. Baking soda absorbs grease, deodorizes fabric, and lifts discoloration. Add a splash of vinegar and you’ve got a stain-fighting duo that rivals store-bought cleaners.

Looking for easy ways to clean a sweatshirt? Keep this homemade mix in a jar near your laundry area for quick fixes.

How to Get Grease Out of a Sweatshirt?

How to get grease out of a sweatshirt is one of the most common questions. Whether it’s a burger dip or motor oil smudge, these stains can be stubborn.

Here’s what to do:

  1. Sprinkle baking soda over the stain and let it sit for 30–60 minutes.

  2. Brush off the powder gently.

  3. Apply dish soap (preferably Dawn) and rub with your fingers or a soft brush.

  4. Rinse in cold water.

  5. Wash as usual.

If you’re asking, does vinegar remove stains from sweatshirts? It does, for some stains. But for grease stains, stick with dish soap and baking soda.

This technique is helpful for how to get oil stains out of a sweatshirt, and it works on hoodies, fleece, and cotton alike.

How to Remove Coffee Stains from a Sweatshirt Naturally?

Ah, the classic coffee spill. If you’re a caffeine lover, you’ve likely faced this issue before. But don't worry, here’s how to remove coffee stains from a sweatshirt naturally:

Natural Coffee Stain Remover:

  1. Blot with cold water immediately.

  2. Mix white vinegar and water (1:1 ratio) and dab it onto the stain.

  3. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

  4. Sprinkle baking soda on the stain and scrub gently.

  5. Rinse and launder as usual.

This combo works if the stain has dried. If you’ve been wondering how to wash a stained sweatshirt without using harsh chemicals, this is your go-to method.

Coffee on a white sweatshirt? Add hydrogen peroxide for extra power (but spot test first).

Sweat Stains? Here’s How to Treat Them Fast

How to treat sweat stains on clothes, especially on the underarms and collars, requires a different approach. These stains often cause yellowing on light-colored sweatshirts.

Here’s how to get sweat stains out of sweatshirts fast:

  • Make a paste using lemon juice and baking soda.

  • Rub the paste into the stained area.

  • Let it sit for 30 minutes in direct sunlight if possible.

  • Wash with cold water.

For Essentials hoodies, avoid acidic treatments on the logo area; these can fade the print. Stick to gentle cleaning tips for sweatshirts and always turn garments inside out before washing.

Best Laundry Hacks for Stain Removal Success

Best Laundry Hacks for Stain Removal Success

Everyone loves a good shortcut, especially when doing laundry. Here are a few laundry hacks for stain removal that save time and prevent ruined clothes:

  • Use ice cubes to harden wax or gum before scraping it off fabric.

  • Add a cup of white vinegar to your rinse cycle to brighten colors and break down residue.

  • Toss a saltwater-soaked shirt into the wash to set dyes and prevent bleeding.

  • Dry in the sun, UV rays naturally bleach out lingering stains.

And if you’re still wondering what to do if a sweatshirt stain won’t come out? Try soaking it overnight in oxygen bleach or an enzyme cleaner. But never put stained fabric in the dryer, as it sets the mark permanently.

How to Wash a Stained Sweatshirt Properly?

Washing technique matters. You don’t want to undo all your hard work by washing incorrectly.

Here’s how to wash a stained sweatshirt the right way:

  • Turn the sweatshirt inside out.

  • Use cold water to avoid setting the stain.

  • Select a gentle cycle if you're washing delicate or branded items.

  • Air dry always.

If you’re dealing with set-in stains, add a pre-soak step with warm water, baking soda, and vinegar. This is how the pros handle how to remove set-in stains from sweatshirts.

Can You Remove Stains from an Essentials Hoodie?

Essentials hoodies are fashion-forward and expensive, so it's understandable to worry about treating them. Here's how to get stains out of an Essentials hoodie without damage:

  1. Spot test any product on a hidden area.

  2. Use a non-bleach, enzyme-based stain remover for organic stains (like food, sweat, or coffee).

  3. Avoid scrubbing the logo or print.

  4. Always wash cold and air dry.

The good news? With the right care, even a stained hoodie can look brand new again.

Conclusion

Stains don’t have to mean the end of your favorite sweatshirt. With the right cleaning methods, home remedies, and a little patience, you can restore your hoodie to its original charm. Whether it’s grease, coffee, or ink, every stain has a solution; you just need to treat it the right way.

At Home of Apparels, we believe in making your clothes last longer while keeping them looking brand new. Explore our range of quality sweatshirts and apparel that are made to stay stylish and durable, wash after wash.

FAQs

  • How to get a butter stain out of a sweatshirt?

Blot extra butter, cover with baking soda for 30–45 mins, brush off, then apply dish soap and scrub gently. Rinse with cold water and wash as usual to remove the oily residue.

  • How to get a paint stain out of a sweatshirt?

For wet paint, blot and rinse with warm water, then scrub with dish soap. For dried or oil-based paint, apply rubbing alcohol or acetone, scrub gently, rinse, and wash. Repeat if needed.

  • How to get a chocolate stain out of a sweatshirt?

Scrape off excess chocolate, rinse from the back under cold water, apply dish soap mixed with hydrogen peroxide, let sit 15–30 mins, rinse well, and repeat if required.

  • How to get a ketchup stain out of a sweatshirt?

Blot extra ketchup, rinse cold from the inside, apply dish soap or vinegar + baking soda mix, let sit 10–15 mins, rinse thoroughly, and wash in cold water.

  • How to get a blood stain out of a sweatshirt?

Rinse in cold water only, dab with hydrogen peroxide or baking soda paste, let it fizz for 10–20 mins, rinse well, and repeat if necessary before washing.