How to Remove a Gravy Stain from Fabric

Stacey asked, “White cotton tablecloth, not sure what the stain is, maybe gravy?”

You Will Need:

• Dull knife
• White cloth or white paper towels
• Club soda
• Salt
• Baking soda
• White bread
• Water
• Clear dishwashing liquid
• Ammonia

Steps to Remove the Fresh Gravy Stain:

1. Using the dull knife, sweep as much of the spilled gravy off the fabric as you can.¹
2. Dampen the cloth/towel with club soda and blot the spill.¹
3. You can also shake a bit of salt or baking soda on the spill to sop it up until you finish eating.²
4. Another quick trick to soak up the spill is to a piece of white bread in club soda or cold water and place it over the spill to soak it up.¹
5. Gravy is made with starchy ingredients that make it thick. When trying to remove the stain, you have to soften the starch. Soaking the item in cold water for several hours will help to loosen the stain.²
6. If the stain is still there, mix ¼ teaspoon clear dishwashing liquid, a couple of drops ammonia and ½ cup warm water. Wet a clean cloth/towel with the mixture and sponge the stain. Press the cloth against the stain; do not rub.³ Keep in mind that you should not use ammonia on wool or silk items.⁴
7. Following the fabric washing instructions, wash as advised in the hottest water the fabric will tolerate.³
8. Do not dry the item in an electric dryer or use an iron on it if the stain is not removed. Let the item dry on its own⁴ and follow the steps below for old gravy stains or stubborn fresh gravy stains.

There are more than a few suggestions to remove old gravy stains. Try the suggestions in order, remembering to not dry the item until you are sure the stain has been removed.

You Will Need:

• Water
• Powdered detergent
• Enzyme digestant (Biz)
• White cloth or white paper towels
• Enzyme detergent
• All-Fabric bleach
• Chlorine bleach
• Vegetable glycerin
• Ammonia
• White Vinegar
• Fels-Naptha soap

Steps to Remove the Old Gravy Stain:

1. If you discover an old stain or you have a really stubborn stain, you can first try just soaking it in cold water longer.⁵
2. Mix powdered detergent and water to form a paste. Apply to both sides of the fabric and use your fingers to smear it into the stain.¹
3. Allow the item to soak in a disgestant mix for 30 to 60 minutes.⁴ Keep in mind that an enzyme digestant cannot be used on wool or silk.
4. Apply ammonia to the cloth/towel and test in an inconspicuous place to make sure it will not damage the fabric. Blot at the back of the stain until removed.¹
5. Wash the item using an enzyme detergent if safe for the fabric.¹
6. Immerse the item in all-fabric bleach (following the label) for 15 minutes, then flush the item with clean water.¹
7. If safe for the fabric, immerse the item in chlorine bleach (following the label) for 15 minutes, then flush the item with clean water.¹
8. You might be able to work the stain loose by smearing it with glycerin.³
9. Fels-Naptha is a laundry bar soap. Try creating a paste and pressing into the stain, then rinsing.⁶
10. When the stain has been removed, follow the fabric washing instructions. Wash as advised in the hottest water the fabric will tolerate.³

• You might not think of these commercial products, but if the stain proves troublesome, they are worth a shot: Zout Stain Remover or Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain Remover.² Use these products as a spot stain remover, dabbing the product into the stain and then rinsing.
• Totally rinse any cleaning mixture out of the fabric before applying the next. Using chemicals together, like ammonia and chlorine bleach, can cause dangerous fumes. Check manufacture’s tags for appropriate use and safety details.⁵
• Always ventilate the area well when using ammonia. For more ammonia safety information, see Wikipedia.

1. Stain Removal by Stephanie Zia
2. Queen of Clean’s Complete Cleaning Guide by Linda Cobb
3. Natural Stain Removal Secrets by Deborah L. Martin
4. Don Aslett’s Stainbuster’s Bible
5. Clean it Fast, Clean it RIGHT by Jeff Bredenberg
6. How to Clean Practically Anything by Consumer Reports