How to Remove Soup Stains: Tips and Guidelines

Key Takeaways

To remove soup stains, act quickly to sponge the stain with cold water or a dry-cleaning solvent depending on the material, using techniques like blotting, sponging and applying a wet or dry spotter as necessary.
For washable fabrics, soaking in a mixture of warm water, liquid detergent and ammonia can help lift the stain, followed by rinsing and laundering.
On hard surfaces and non-washable materials, wiping with a cloth dipped in warm sudsy water or a specialized cleaning solution, then rinsing and drying usually removes the stain.

Soup is delicious. Whether you slurp it or sip it, the stuff is good eats. However, due to its liquid form, it is also very easy to spill. Here we'll address how to remove meat-base soups from a variety of household surfaces.

How to Remove Soup Stains From:

Acetate, Carpet (synthetic or wool), Fiberglass, Rayon, Silk, Triacetate, Wool

Treat the stain as soon as possible. Set meat stains can be extremely difficult to remove. Sponge (the method of using a dampened pad to apply light strokes, moving outward from the center of the stain) the stain with cold water. If fresh, this should remove it. If any stain remains, apply a wet spotter and a few drops of ammonia (omit ammonia on silk and wool). Cover with an absorbent pad dampened with the wet spotter. Let it stand as long as any stain is being lifted, changing the pad as it picks up the stain. Keep the stain and pad moist. Flush (the method of applying stain remover to loosen staining material and residue from stain removers) with cool water, making sure to remove all traces of the ammonia.

How to Remove Soup Stains From:

Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Modacrylic, Nylon , Olefin, Polyester, Spandex

Fresh meat stains usually can be removed by a thorough washing in cold water. If any stain remains, soak it in a solution of 1 quart warm water, 1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent, and 1 tablespoon ammonia for 15 minutes. Tamp (the method of bringing a brush down with light strokes on stained durable fabrics and materials) or scrape (the method of using a dull tool to gently lift off excess solid or caked-on stains), blotting occasionally with an absorbent pad. Continue as long as any stain remains. Rinse well with water, making sure to remove all traces of ammonia.

How to Remove Soup Stains From:

Acrylic Plastic, Alabaster, Aluminum, Asphalt, Copper, Cork, Linoleum, Marble, Paint (flat or gloss), Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Porcelain, Stainless Steel, Vinyl Clothing, Vinyl Tile, Vinyl Wallcovering

Wipe stain with a sponge dipped in warm sudsy water. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry.

How to Remove Soup Stains From:

Bluestone, Brick, Concrete, Flagstone, Granite, Limestone, Masonry Tile, Sandstone, Slate, Terrazzo

Wipe up the stain with a sponge dipped in cool water. If any stain remains, wash or brush (the method of using a stiff-bristled brush to sweep staining material up onto a piece of paper) the stain with a solution of washing soda or detergent (not soap) in warm water. Rinse well and allow to dry.

How to Remove Soup Stains From:

Carpet (synthetic or wool)

Blot up as much liquid as you can and sponge the area immediately with cool water. This should remove any stain, but if one remains, apply Spot Shot Carpet Stain Remover, Stain-X Carpet Stain Remover, or Up & Out (do not use this on wool) according to the package directions. If the stain persists, mix 1 teaspoon mild detergent in 1/2 warm water. Add a small amount to the carpet and blot the liquid. Take care not to force the stain further into the fibers. Continue until no more stain is removed. Flush thoroughly with water. Place an absorbent pad over the area and weight it down. When no more liquid is drawn out, remove the pad and allow it to air dry thoroughly.

How to Remove Soup Stains From:

Leather, Suede

Blot up what you can and follow with a leather cleaner, Tannery Vintage Leather Cleaner & Conditioner, according to package directions. Or mix dishwashing detergent in hot water and swish to make a great volume of suds. Dip a cloth in only the foam and wipe the area. Wipe dry with a clean dry cloth. On leather only, follow with Tannery Vintage Leather Cleaner & Conditioner or Fiebing's Saddle Soap.

How to Remove Soup Stains From:

Wood

Wipe the stain with a clean cloth dipped in warm sudsy water. Rinse with a damp cloth and wipe dry. Polish or wax as soon as possible.

Now that we've established how to get meat-based soup stains out of everything from wool to wood, let's continue reading to discover how to remove stains caused by vegetable-based soups.

How To Make Wet & Dry Spotters

Dry spotter:

To make a dry spotter, combine 1 part coconut oil (available at pharmacies and health food stores) and 8 parts liquid dry-cleaning solvent. This solution may be stored if the container is tightly capped to prevent evaporation of the solvent. Mineral oil may be substituted for the coconut oil, but is not quite as effective.

Caution: Dry-cleaning solvents are poisonous and may be flammable.

Wet spotter:

To prepare a wet spotter, mix 1 part glycerine, 1 part white dishwashing detergent, and 8 parts water. Shake well before each use. Store wet spotter in a plastic squeeze bottle.

How to Remove Soup Stains (Vegetable Base)

Though vegetable-base soups don't have the same staining power as meat-base broths, these liquids can still pack a punch when it comes to surfaces like polyester and porcelain. Follow these spot removal tips to make sure lunch doesn't leave its mark on you.

How to Remove Soup Stains From:

Acetate, Carpet (synthetic or wool), Fiberglass, Rayon, Silk, Triacetate, Wool

Remove any excess immediately. Sponge (the method of using a dampened pad to apply light strokes, moving outward from the center of the stain) the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent such as Afta Cleaning Fluid. Apply a dry spotter to the stain and cover with an absorbent pad dampened with the dry spotter. Let it stand as long as any stain is being removed. Change the pad as it picks up the stain. Keep the stain and pad moist with the dry spotter. Flush (the method of applying stain remover to loosen staining material and residue from stain removers) with the dry-cleaning solvent.

How to Remove Soup Stains From:

Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, Spandex

Wipe up any excess immediately. Sponge the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent, K2r Spot Lifter or Afta Cleaning Fluid. Apply a dry spotter and cover with an absorbent pad dampened with the dry spotter. Let it stand as long as any stain is being removed. Flush with one of the liquid dry-cleaning solvents. If any stain remains, apply a few drops dishwashing detergent and a few drops ammonia to the area, then tamp (the method of bringing a brush down with light strokes on stained durable fabrics and materials) or scrape (the method of using a dull tool to gently lift off excess solid or caked-on stains) to loosen stain. Keep the stain moist with the detergent and ammonia and blot occasionally with an absorbent pad. Flush well with water to remove all ammonia and launder or allow to dry.

How to Remove Soup Stains From:

Acrylic Plastic, Aluminum, Asphalt, Bamboo, Cane, Ceramic Glass/Tile, Copper, Cork, Glass, Linoleum, Marble, Paint (flat or gloss), Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Porcelain, Stainless Steel, Vinyl Clothing, Vinyl Tile, Vinyl Wallcovering

Wipe up any excess spill immediately. Wipe the surface with a cloth or sponge dipped in warm sudsy water. Rinse well and wipe dry.

How to Remove Soup Stains From:

Bluestone, Brick, Concrete, Flagstone, Granite, Masonry Tile, Sandstone, Slate,

Terrazzo

Remove any excess. Wash the area with a solution of washing soda or detergent (never soap) and water. Scrub with a sponge or soft-bristled brush. Rinse the area thoroughly and allow to dry.

How to Remove Soup Stains From:

Leather, Suede

Carefully blot any excess from the surface. Mix a solution of mild soap in lukewarm water. Swish to create a great volume of suds. Apply only the foam with a sponge. Wipe dry with a clean cloth. If a greasy stain remains, apply an absorbent such as corn-meal. Give it plenty of time to work. Gently brush or shake the cornmeal off. Repeat if necessary. On leather only, follow with Tannery Vintage Leather Cleaner & Conditioner or Fiebing's Saddle Soap to condition the leather.

How to Remove Soup Stains From:

Wood

Remove any excess spill immediately. Wipe with a cloth dipped in warm sudsy water. Rinse with a clean cloth dampened with clear water. Polish or wax as soon as possible.

Whether hot or cold, served as a side or alone, soup is a tasty treat. These stain removal techniques will help you leave your liquid lunch where it belongs -- at the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use bleach to remove soup stains from colored fabrics?

Using bleach on colored fabrics is not recommended as it may cause discoloration. Opt for a color-safe bleach or a mild detergent solution instead.

How can I prevent soup stains from setting in before I have a chance to clean them?

To prevent soup stains from setting, blot up any excess immediately with a clean cloth and rinse the area with cold water as soon as possible.