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How to Remove Pomegranate Stains

Carrie McBride
Carrie McBride
Carrie is a former Apartment Therapy editor and the original editor of Apartment Therapy Media's first site for kids: Ohdeedoh. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two kids..
Stephanie Nguyen
Stephanie NguyenSenior Editor, Cleaning & Organizing
Stephanie is the Senior Editor, Cleaning & Organizing at Apartment Therapy, where she covers all the ways to make your home sparkle with decluttering tricks, cleaning tips, and organizational hacks. She holds degrees in English and journalism from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She lives in Hawaiʻi with her husband and dog.
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updated Nov 29, 2023
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Overhead shot of a white graphic tee with a pomegranate stain on the shoulder of the shirt, and 2 pomegranates to the left of the shirt.
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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

My son loves to eat pomegranate seeds probably for the same reason I do — that sweet juice that gushes into your mouth (ala Freshen Up gum) when you bite into them. But they stain like the dickens! Here’s one way to remove those stubborn red stains without using bleach.

Quick Overview

How to Remove Pomegranate Stains

  1. Take off the stained garment and/or remove textile from its location.
  2. Gather your supplies.
  3. Mix boiling water and baking soda in a bowl or cup until dissolved.
  4. Soak stained garment in solution for 15 minutes.
  5. Rinse in cool water.
  6. Air dry.
  7. Launder as normal.

What You’ll Need

  • Baking soda
  • Water
  • Tea kettle, microwave or a pan and stove
  • Bowl or glass measuring cup

How to Remove Pomegranate Stains

Here’s how you’ll remove those stubborn red stains in seven steps.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 1: Take off the stained garment and/or remove textile from its location.

Immediately take off the garment or textile so you can take care of the stains.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 2: Gather your supplies.

Bring about 3/4 cup of water to a boil in a tea kettle, the microwave or on the stovetop. Place about a teaspoon of baking soda in a bowl or glass measuring cup large enough to soak your stain.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 3: Add boiling water to the bowl or cup.

Add boiling water to the bowl or cup and swish or stir until the baking soda dissolves.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 4: Soak the garment or textile.

Soak the stained portion of the garment or textile in the solution for at least 15 minutes.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 5: Rinse it.

After a minimum of 15 minutes, take the garment or textile and run it under cool water.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 6: Hang to dry.

Let it air dry fully before proceeding to the next step.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

Step 7: Launder normally.

Once fully dried, launder the garment or textile as you normally would — and voila. No more stains!

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