How to Get Wood Stain Out of Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You got wood stain on your clothes. Maybe you were staining a deck, refinishing furniture, or doing a DIY project. Wood stain is an oil-based or water-based product that can be removed with the right methods. Here’s how to get wood stain out of clothes without damaging the fabric.

Wood stain is a pigmented finish that penetrates fabric fibers and bonds tightly. Oil-based wood stain is harder to remove than water-based wood stain. The key to removing wood stain is identifying the type (oil-based or water-based), using the right solvent, and treating the stain as soon as possible. Fresh wood stain is easier to remove than dried wood stain.

To get wood stain out of clothes, identify the stain type, scrape off excess, apply Dawn dish soap for water-based stain or mineral spirits for oil-based stain, let sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, apply OxiClean, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying. Don’t use hot water, don’t rub, and don’t put wood-stained clothes in the dryer.

For Water-Based Wood Stain

Step 1: Scrape Off Excess

Use a dull edge to scrape off excess stain. Don’t rub.

Step 2: Rinse with Warm Water

Rinse the stain with warm water from the back of the fabric. This pushes the stain out of the fibers.

Step 3: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap to the stain. Work it in gently. Let sit for 15 minutes. Dawn breaks down the stain binder.

Step 4: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub the stain with an old toothbrush. Work from the outside in.

Step 5: Apply Baking Soda Paste

Make a paste of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda and water. Apply to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush.

Step 6: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 7: Wash in Warm Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Add baking soda to the wash.

Step 8: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser for the rinse.

Step 9: Check Before Drying

Check that the stain is gone. If it remains, treat again. Don’t put wood-stained clothes in the dryer.

For Oil-Based Wood Stain

Step 1: Scrape Off Excess

Use a dull edge to scrape off excess stain. Don’t rub.

Step 2: Apply Mineral Spirits

Apply mineral spirits to the stain with a cotton ball. Let sit for 10 minutes. Mineral spirits dissolve oil-based wood stain. Use in a well-ventilated area. Don’t use on delicate fabrics.

Step 3: Blot with a Clean Cloth

Blot the stain with a clean cloth to absorb the dissolved stain. Don’t rub.

Step 4: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn dish soap to the stain to remove the mineral spirits and remaining stain. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 5: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub the stain with an old toothbrush. Work from the outside in.

Step 6: Apply Baking Soda Paste

Make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush.

Step 7: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 8: Apply Shout Foam

Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 9: Wash in Warm Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Add baking soda and OxiClean to the wash.

Step 10: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse.

Step 11: Check Before Drying

Check that the stain is gone. If it remains, repeat the process. Don’t put wood-stained clothes in the dryer.

For Dried Wood Stain

Step 1: Scrape Off Dried Stain

Use a dull edge to scrape off as much dried stain as possible.

Step 2: Apply Rubbing Alcohol (For Water-Based)

For dried water-based wood stain, apply rubbing alcohol to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush.

Step 3: Apply Mineral Spirits (For Oil-Based)

For dried oil-based wood stain, apply mineral spirits. Let sit for 15 minutes. Blot with a clean cloth.

Step 4: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn dish soap to remove the solvent and remaining stain. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 5: Apply Baking Soda Paste

Make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush.

Step 6: Apply OxiClean and Shout

Apply OxiClean Max Force Spray and Shout foam. Let each sit for 15 minutes.

Step 7: Wash in Warm Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Add baking soda and OxiClean to the wash.

Step 8: Check Before Drying

Check that the stain is gone. If it remains, repeat the process. Don’t put wood-stained clothes in the dryer.

Additional Products

Use Amodex for Ink Mixed with Wood Stain

If the wood stain has ink mixed in, use Amodex Ink and Stain Remover.

Use Lysol for Disinfecting

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse.

Clean the Machine After

Clean the washer with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner.

Wood Stain Removal by Type

Stain Type	Best Treatment	Water Temp	Notes
Water-based (fresh)	Dawn, warm water	Warm	Scrape off excess
Water-based (dried)	Rubbing alcohol, Dawn, OxiClean	Warm	May need 2 to 3 treatments
Oil-based (fresh)	Mineral spirits, Dawn	Warm	Use in ventilated area
Oil-based (dried)	Mineral spirits, Dawn, OxiClean	Warm	May need multiple treatments

What Not to Do

Don’t use hot water. Hot water can set some wood stains. Use warm water.

Don’t rub the stain. Rubbing spreads the stain. Scrape and scrub with a toothbrush.

Don’t put wood-stained clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat sets wood stain permanently. Air dry and check first.

Don’t use mineral spirits on delicate fabrics. Mineral spirits can damage silk, wool, and synthetics. Test on a hidden area first.

Don’t use mineral spirits without ventilation. Mineral spirits have strong fumes. Use in a well-ventilated area.

Don’t give up after one treatment. Dried wood stain may need 2 to 4 treatments. Be patient and repeat.

FAQ

How do you get wood stain out of clothes? Identify the stain type, scrape off excess, apply Dawn dish soap for water-based stain or mineral spirits for oil-based stain, let sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, apply OxiClean, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying.

Does Dawn dish soap remove wood stain from clothes? Yes. Dawn breaks down the binder in water-based wood stain. Apply directly to the stain, let sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, and wash in warm water.

Does mineral spirits remove wood stain from clothes? Yes. Mineral spirits dissolve oil-based wood stain. Apply with a cotton ball, let sit for 10 minutes, blot with a clean cloth, apply Dawn dish soap, and wash. Use in a well-ventilated area.

Can you put wood-stained clothes in the dryer? No. Dryer heat sets wood stain permanently. Air dry and check first. If the stain remains, treat again and re-wash.

How do you remove dried wood stain from clothes? Scrape off dried stain, apply rubbing alcohol (for water-based) or mineral spirits (for oil-based) for 15 minutes, scrub, apply Dawn dish soap, apply baking soda paste, apply OxiClean, wash in warm water, and check before drying. Repeat if needed.

References

1. Tide. “Wood Stain Removal Guide.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “How to Remove Wood Stain from Clothes.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Stain Removal Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. OxiClean. “Stain Removal Guide.” oxiclean.com.