How To Get Blueberry Stains Out of Clothes

Blueberries are nature's superfood with their vibrant purple color and seemingly no downsides—until they stain your clothing.

More fearful than even a red wine spill, blueberries induce panic as their juice stains are so hard to shift.

This article provides the complete lowdown on managing blueberry stains, whether on clothing, carpets, or skin.

Do Blueberry Stains Come Out of Clothes?

It's possible to remove blueberry stains from clothing; they're not permanent. However, blueberry stains are famous for being some of the most stubborn and resistant marks to shift from fabric and textiles like carpets.

It's all down to the fruit's mix of acids, natural sugars, and pigments, which act like purple glue on fabric fibers.

The berries' deep hue comes from pigments called anthocyanins, part of a chemical category called flavonoids. Anthocyanins create a vibrant and unwelcome stain unless you just happen to be wearing something purple!

Old blueberry stains or ones exposed to heat are among the hardest to shift, as the color has penetrated the fabric by this time.

3 Ways To Remove Blueberry Stains

1. Use Boiling Water

Boiling water is one of the easiest ways to remove blueberry stains. It works best on a fresh mark rather than an old one. However, this method isn't suitable for delicate fabrics like silk or wool.

Start by blotting the stain using a paper towel or other absorbent fabric. Never rub the mark; this only pushes the fruit juices further into the fabric.

Place the garment in a bowl or the sink. You'll need something with a defined edge to stretch the fabric out and secure it. The idea is to make the area with the stain as flat and taut as possible.

Boil water in the kettle, and when it's at boiling point, pour it slowly over the stain from a height of about 12", taking care not to get splashed. The drop creates pressure, which helps push the stain out of the fibers.

Continue pouring boiling water until the stain is no longer visible; you may need to repeat the process several times.

Next, launder the garment in your washing machine. If a purple mark is still visible, you can pre-treat the stain using laundry detergent or wash with laundry detergent sheets with a powerful stain-removing action.

Freddie Laundry sheets use enzyme-based stain removers, ideal for shifting a stubborn mark like blueberry juice.

If you pre-treat with a detergent, you'll need to allow the garment to rest for 10-15 minutes before machine-washing. Don't select a hot wash; heat will set any stain residue into the fibers; use a warm or cold wash cycle.

Whichever wash temperature you choose must be compatible with the maximum temperature on the garment's care label.

Air dry the item, again avoiding direct heat from a dryer or sunlight.

2. Try Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is nature's own bleach but is gentler than the household version, which is too harsh for some fabrics.

Start by blotting any excess purple juice with a paper towel or cloth, then rinse the stain under cold water. Continue rinsing until the water runs clear. Never use warm or hot water, as this will only 'set' the stain, making it harder to remove.

Squeeze fresh lemon juice directly onto the stain; the acid in the juice helps break down the blueberry pigments. Leave the fabric for 10-15 minutes to let the lemon juice penetrate the stain.

If the stain is stubborn, gently work the lemon juice into the mark with your fingers or a soft brush before rinsing again in cold water. If the stain remains, then repeat the process.

At this point, you can dry the fabric in the sun; sun plus lemon juice has a natural bleaching effect. Leave the garment in the sun for a few hours, then pop it into the washing machine.

Set the machine to a cycle no hotter than that advised on the care label and avoid a high-temperature wash.

Our laundry detergent sheets are excellent at shifting stubborn stains on warm and cold washes. They’re formulated without phosphates, optical brighteners, or bleach, making them suitable for delicate fabrics like silk and wool while still great for tough stains like blueberry juice on denim or canvas.

Not all laundry detergent sheets are formulated the same way. Our detergent sheets are designed to remove tough stains while being free from phosphates, parabens, or dyes.

Lastly, air dry the garment away from direct sunlight.

3. A Milk Bath

If the stain is fresh, gently dab it with a paper towel or tissue to remove any excess juice. Rinse a wet stain with cold water. Never rub the stain, as you will increase its spread.

Submerge the garment in a basin of cold milk and soak for half an hour to an hour. Milk contains fats and proteins, which help the stain disintegrate.

You can gently massage the stain whilst it's in the milk and then rinse the item several times in cold water to completely remove the milk.

Launder the garment in your machine on a warm or cold cycle. Air dry away from direct heat or sunlight.

Removing Blueberry Stains from Skin and Carpet

Skin

Quick stain removers for your skin include nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol; dab the mark or spots with some solution on a cotton wool ball.

When the stain is gone, rinse the area in warm water to remove any trace of the chemical. Avoid alcohol-based products or chemicals, and use lemon juice for sensitive skin.

Carpet

You can remove blueberry stains on carpets using dilute white vinegar or dish soap; always patch-test a discrete area of the carpet first. If the stain is fresh, blot up any excess juice before treating it.

Work the solution into the carpet using a soft-bristled brush.

Are Blueberry Stains Permanent?

Blueberry stains can be permanent if they’re not dealt with quickly. Avoid exposing the stain to heat during the washing process or when drying, as this will only set the mark into the fabric.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Vinegar Remove Berry Stains?

Vinegar is a handy kitchen product for removing berry stains, but you should always use white vinegar and dilute it because of the acetic acid it contains. The correct ratio is one part vinegar to two parts water. You might have to treat the stain a couple of times before it disappears.

Does Hydrogen Peroxide Remove Berry Stains?

Hydrogen peroxide is a mild oxidizing agent with stain-lifting properties, making it a suitable alternative to chlorine bleach. That said, while hydrogen peroxide does remove berry stains, you should always patch-test a tiny area of the garment first. You can dilute it to protect the fabric and gradually increase the concentration if the stain is stubborn.

Final Thoughts

A blackberry stain on your favorite item of clothing or a pale carpet might seem like a disaster. However, if you act quickly and use the right products, you should be able to remove it. Freddie laundry detergent sheets are formulated to remove stains without phosphates, parabens, or dyes. Suitable for hand or machine-washing, they provide a convenient way to clean your clothes without liquid detergents in plastic jugs.