Is your child a baseball superstar? If you responded “Yes,” you probably have a few questions that need answers. If I’m not mistaken, you’re asking how to get grass stains out of white baseball pants.
You first need to know what kind of turf your child is playing the game on – grass or artificial – as there are different ways to tackle the stains from each of these. But first, let’s get you started with some background information.
Turf
Originally, people played baseball on natural turf, with real grass and ground below. Today, however, people play the game on both natural and artificial turf. Different turfs lead to different stains and require unique approaches to tackling them.
Stains from natural turf are usually composed of plant proteins. Stains from artificial turf are from the chemical mixture that is applied at the base, which holds the grass blades that are placed there for a natural, ground-like texture.
The artificial turf introduced in 1966, Astroturf, was much like a home carpet. Astroturf was essentially fake grass blades weaved onto a film of mesh-like material. However, it was not directly placed on the concrete of the stadium grounds. There was always a layer of padding between the floor of the grounds and the mesh. This gave players a natural, ground-like feeling.
Over time, however, the padding would either erode or get squashed down, and only the hard concrete remained as a base. This led to many players getting injured, as landing on the hard ground impacts joints.
Today, manufacturers have replaced the padding with small rubber chips. However, unlike padding, these chips are sprinkled on top of the grass and not underneath it. These rubber chips resemble black sand but with bigger grains.
The rubber chips give a dirt-like compression, and their stains are different from those your child may get from a natural turf. Let’s take a deeper look at these two kinds of stains.
Read Also: How To Clean A Baseball Bat Properly
Types of Stains
Grass Stains
As stated earlier, plant proteins are what cause grass stains. These microscopic compounds implant themselves in the cloth fibers. The intense green chlorophylls and orange carotenoids have pigments that produce these stains.
Artificial Turf Stains
The rubber chips placed on the fake grass blades are what cause the black stains from artificial turfs. Since rubber is based on petroleum, the oily and greasy black stains they produce are similar to stains picked up by those who work on cars.
Why Are Turf Stains So Hard to Remove?
In the case of grass stains, plant material gets embedded in the fabric. And the rubber from artificial turf stains sticks onto clothing fibers due to the rubber’s oily nature. As a result, both of these stains can be tough to remove.
Wondering how do you get turf stains out of baseball pants? Let’s explore.
How To Get Turf Stains Out Of White Baseball Pants: A Guide
The stains ground into baseball uniforms are tough and will not go away with simple machine washing. You will need to employ advanced methods to get those stains off the clothes.
Here are a few things you can try:
- Scrubbing the pants before washing
- Adding bleach and washing the pants
- Using rubbing alcohol
- Using commercial stain removal products
- Using DIY cleaning mixtures on the stains
Whichever method you employ, always remember to wash the pants in cold water except for when you’re pre-scrubbing. Also, avoid applying heat before the stain completely lifts.
Heat locks in the stain by transforming it from liquid to solid. “Burn-in” stains caused by heating devices are much more stubborn and difficult to remove.
Also, the sooner you remove the stains, the less chance of the pigments firmly adhering to the cloth fibers.
Now, let’s get to the most used method for eliminating turf stains from baseball clothing.
Soaking
Soaking is the best way to get grass stains out of white baseball pants. It is much more effective when you soak the pants, for example, in warm water with some cleaning agent like liquid soap or detergent. This reduces the workload on the following cleaning step.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is one of the most commonly used methods and is also quite effective, and using it is an affordable and easy solution.
You will need to soak a washcloth in an alcohol/water (2:1) mixture and rub it over the stains. Usually, the stain disappears in a matter of minutes. If the stain is more stubborn, you can repeat the process.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Mixing hydrogen peroxide with liquid dish soap (2:1) will give you a solution to handle the worst stains as both ingredients are stain-fighting agents.
Spray water-soaked clothing with the above mixture and wait for some time for it to penetrate the stains. Later, scrub it with a rough sponge or toothbrush.
Tip: Keep a bottle of the solution prepared so you have it handy after every baseball game.
Stain Removal Products – Using a Stain Remover
The internet is flooded with stain-removing products like OxyClean Max Force Stain Remover, OUT White Brite Laundry Whitener, Krud Kutter Sports Stain Remover, OxiClean White Revive Laundry Whitener + Stain Remover, and the Fels-Naptha Laundry Soap Bar.
However, the ones that we highly recommend are OxyClean Max Force Stain Remover and the Fels-Naptha Laundry Soap Bar.
1. The OxyClean brand stain remover tackles the toughest stains on baseball pants. It is a chlorine-free and color-safe formula that you can use to remove stains throughout your home.
Spray the product on the stained area and let it soak in for 20 to 30 minutes or more, depending on the severity of the stain. Later, wash it off with a detergent. Use warm water for best results.
2. The Fels-Naptha laundry bar is an old-school method that has been helping moms for decades. It is cheap and effective and a favorite of many.
The best way to use it is to grate some soap on the affected area and let the fabric soak in hot water for some time. Follow it with scrubbing with a stiff brush to get rid of all the stains.
The Traditional Method – Washing and Hand Scrubbing
The old-fashioned method of scrubbing is quite effective but requires a lot of time and elbow grease. However, if you decide on hand scrubbing, the best detergent available is the Tide Plus Bleach Alternative HE Liquid.
This cleaning powerhouse costs only a few pennies per hand-washing load. Soak the pants in the detergent and scrub with a hard brush to remove all stains.
Washing Effectively
So, how do you get dirt and grass stains out of white baseball pants for more effective washing?
You can wash your baseball pants either manually or in a washing machine. However, for better and more effective results, it is always good to pretreat them before the actual washing.
You can scrub the stains with either a scrub brush or by working the fabric between your hands; either method is designed to remove the dust and loosen the stains.
After the washing process, if the stains are still visible, more scrubbing and a subsequent wash will help achieve the desired effect.
Tips & Insights into Cleaning Turf Stains on Baseball Pants
Some people use a solution made of vinegar and baking soda, while others swear by applying bleach at some point in the cleaning process.
However, bleach and many commercial stain removers contain strong chemical agents. Overusing them can be detrimental to the pants, even the polyester ones.
Post-Wash Touch-Ups
Air dry or sun dry the pants and avoid using a hot clothes dryer if possible. Heat-set stains become nearly impossible to remove, so it is always better to airdry the pants.
FAQ
Can you bleach white baseball pants?
Yes, you can make bleaching a part of your cleaning process. However, overusing bleach can be harmful to the fabric of the pants.
How do you get artificial turf out of clothes?
You can employ one of several methods to get rid of the artificial turf stains on your pants. You can use the above home remedies involving alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, bleach, and other products. Otherwise, you may opt for the stain removers like Oxyclean and the Fels-Naptha laundry bar that are widely available in the market.
How do you get red dirt out of white softball pants?
Scrubbing your pants with a stiff brush will get rid of the red dirt on dry baseball pants. It is also a good pretreatment option and one that gives more effective results.
How do you remove rubber stains from clothes?
Rubber stains are oil-based and work their way into the fabric. There are many ways to remove them. Like stains from natural turf, they can be cleaned using home remedies that involve alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and other chemicals, or you can use market stain removers.
How do you use Dawn Powerwash on baseball pants?
Spray the Dawn Powerwash on the stained area, and scrub or rub it into the stains. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash the pants as usual.
How do you clean white baseball pants with Dawn and peroxide?
Mix dawn dish soap and hydrogen peroxide (1:2) and store in a spray bottle. Spray the stained areas with this solution and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes to loosen the dirt. Follow this with regular washing.
Final Words
Of the many cleaning methods, the most suitable for you will be the one that gives you the best result in the least time and is affordable. Many parents prefer home remedies, while others swear by commercial stain removers. If this article has helped you, share it with your friends who might be wondering how to get turf stains out of white baseball pants.
