Blueberries are delicious enough to eat by the handful, especially when they’re in season during the warm months of summer.  But, if you drop some on your clothes, you can end up with quite an unsightly stain.  Luckily, getting rid of blueberry stains is actually pretty simple, as long as you take the right measures to remove the stain rather than set it by mistake.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Blueberry Stains

The dark pigment in blueberries can make for a pretty dark and ugly stain, and one that may make you panic should it end up on one of your favorite garments – especially light-colored garments, where stains really stand out.  But, there’s a tried and true method to getting rid of blueberry stains that’s practically foolproof, even after the stain has dried.

1. While this method generally works for dried blueberry stains, you still have a better chance of entirely removing the stain if you act as quickly as possible. So, remove the stained garment and place it in a bucket or large bowl.
2. Now, boil some water and pour it directly onto the stain, being careful not to burn yourself. Keep in mind that some materials can’t be exposed to very hot water, such as silk and rayon, in which case you may need to get these garments cleaned professionally to remove the stain.
3. The boiling water may very well be enough to completely remove the stain, leaving the clothing item looking brand new. But, if some pigment remains, we recommend applying peroxide directly to the stain, dabbing it on using a sponge or cotton ball.  You should patch-test this first, as some materials don’t take well to peroxide, by dabbing it onto an invisible piece of the clothing on the inside, and waiting a full minute to see if discoloration or fading occurs.  Don’t do this in direct sunlight, since peroxide can discolor materials if left to dry in the sun.  Let the peroxide sit on the stain for about an hour.
4. Now, wash the clothing according to its care instructions on the label, using a high-quality detergent with stain-fighting properties such as Grab Green’s 3 in 1 Laundry Detergent Pods, 3 in 1 Laundry Detergent Powder, Bleach Alternative Pods, or Stoneworks Laundry Detergent Pods.

Blueberry Stains are Unsightly, But Rarely Permanent

If you were worried that your blueberry-tinged garment was ruined, think again.  This method works very well, and you have a strong chance of removing the stain entirely as long as you follow the steps above.  Just make sure that you consider the fact that certain clothing materials might not be able to tolerate boiling water and/or hydrogen peroxide, so again, if you have a material that’s not friendly to either, consider having it professionally cleaned.  If your material can’t take peroxide but can handle boiling water, then you may be able to skip the peroxide portion entirely and still end up with a completely stain-free piece of clothing.