How to Get Tomato Sauce Out of Clothes

Tomato sauce is essential ingredients in many dishes. Unfortunately, it has a tendency to show up, and leave unsightly stains, when it's not supposed to. If you're looking to learn how to get tomato sauce out of clothes and other household surfaces, then you've come to the right place.

First, identify the affected material, then follow the tips on these pages to get rid of that ugly stain.

How to Remove a Tomato Sauce Stain From Clothing

Prevention is the ultimate key to protecting your clothing from tomato stains, but fortunately you aren't entirely out of options. Again, how you proceed depends on the material type. Regardless, you should be able to remove tomato sauce stains providing you act fast enough and have a few household staples on-hand.

Cotton and Linen

Follow these steps to remove tomato juice and tomato sauce stains from cotton and linen:

Stretch the stained fabric over a bowl and fasten in place with a rubber band.
Pour boiling water through the fabric from a height of 2 or 3 feet. Avoid splatters. This procedure must be done immediately.

If the stain persists:

Soak in a solution of 1 quart warm water and 1/2 teaspoon liquid laundry detergent for 15 minutes.
Rinse with water.
Sponge area with rubbing alcohol and launder as soon as possible.

Leather and Suede

Follow these steps to remove tomato stains from leather and suede:

Wipe up any excess juice, then 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 with a clean dry cloth.
On leather only, follow with a leather cleaner or saddle soap to condition the leather.

Non-Washable Fabrics

Follow these steps to remove tomato juice and tomato sauce stains from non-washable fabrics such as acetate, carpet (synthetic or wool), fiberglass, rayon, rope, triacetate and wool:

Sponge (the method of using a dampened pad to apply light strokes, moving outward from the center of the stain) the stain with cool water, then sponge the area with lemon juice or rub a slice of lemon over the stain (use with caution on wool) [source: Treehugger].
Flush (the method of applying stain remover to loosen staining material and residue from stain removers) with water and blot as much liquid as possible.
Let dry.

If stain persists:

Apply a wet spotter and cover with an absorbent pad moistened with wet spotter.
Let 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 wet spotter.
When no more stain is visible, flush thoroughly with water and allow to air dry.

Washable Fabrics

Follow these steps to remove tomato juice and tomato sauce stains from washable fabrics such as acrylic fabric, modacrylic, nylon, olefin, polyester and spandex:

Sponge stain with cool water immediately.
Then rub with a lemon slice or sponge lemon juice on the stain.
Flush with water, blotting as much liquid as possible.
Allow to dry.

If any trace of stain persists:

Pre-soak (the method of soaking a stained article in warm water before laundering it) in a solution of 1 quart warm water, 1/2 teaspoon dish soap, and 1 tablespoon white vinegar for 15 minutes.
Rinse with water and launder as soon as possible.

How to Remove Tomato Sauce Stains From Other Surfaces

Let's be honest, tomato stains have a tendency to show up on more than just clothes. From wood to silver, we've got you're tomato stain solutions covered.

Household Surfaces

Follow these steps to remove tomato juice and tomato sauce stains from household surfaces such as acrylic plastic, aluminum, asphalt, bamboo, brass, bronze, cane, ceramic glass/tile, copper, enamel, glass, grout, iron, paint (flat or gloss), plexiglas, polyurethane, porcelain, stainless steel, vinyl:

Wipe the stain with a cloth or sponge dipped in warm sudsy water.
Rinse well and hand dry.

Stone Surfaces

Follow these steps to remove tomato juice and tomato sauce stains from stone surfaces such as bluestone, brick, concrete, flagstone, granite, masonry tile, slate and terrazzo:

Wipe up the excess spill and wash the stain with a solution of washing soda or detergent (not soap) and water.
Use a cloth or soft-bristled brush to scrub.
Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry.

Cork, Linoleum and Vinyl Tile

Follow these steps to remove tomato juice and tomato sauce stains from cork, linoleum and vinyl tile:

Wipe up the excess spill and wash the area with a solution of washing soda or detergent (not soap) and water.
Scrub with a cloth or soft-bristled brush.
Rinse thoroughly with clear water and allow to dry.

If stain persists:

Wipe area with a cloth dampened in a solution of 1 tablespoon oxalic acid to 1 pint water.
Rinse well and wipe dry.
Re-polish the surface if needed.

Caution: Oxalic acid is poisonous; use with care and wear rubber gloves [source: Medical News Today].

Marble

Follow these steps to remove tomato juice and tomato sauce stains from marble:

After removing any excess liquid, wipe the surface with a cloth dipped in warm sudsy water.
Rinse well and wipe dry.

If any stain or discoloration remains:

Mix a poultice of water, powdered detergent, and bleach.
Apply a thick paste to the stain and cover with a damp cloth to retard evaporation.
Leave in place.
When stain has been removed, rinse thoroughly with water and dry.

Silver

Follow these steps to remove tomato juice and tomato sauce stains from silver:

Wash silver in hot sudsy water as soon as possible.
Rinse in hot water and dry immediately with a soft cloth to prevent tarnish.

Wood

Follow these steps to remove tomato juice and tomato sauce stains from wood:

Mix dishwashing detergent in hot water and swish to make a great volume of suds.
Dip a cloth in only the foam and apply to the tomato stain.
Rinse with a clean cloth moistened with clear water.
If any stain remains, rub the area with a cloth dampened with a solution of 1 tablespoon oxalic acid and 1 pint water.
Rinse well and wipe dry.
Wax or polish as soon as possible [source: Consumer Reports].

Caution: Oxalic acid is poisonous; use with care and wear rubber gloves