How to Get Rid of Soy Sauce Stains?

Soy sauce is a favorite of some people and an ingredient to be avoided for many others. Many people think of soy sauce as a “hate it or love it” situation. Whatever your opinion on this unique item, there is one problem with it that everyone probably needs to know – how to get rid of soy sauce stains.

Soy sauce not only has a strong aroma it can also create stubborn, dark stains on clothing, carpet and kitchen towels. One key to removing soy sauce stains is to start working on the stain immediately. Even a quick wash will help quite a bit, though the stain may need some more attention to get rid of the dark color altogether.

The Right Stuff
Some of the newer stain-removing products that are applied before regular washing can eliminate all of the annoying soy sauce stain. If you don’t have access to special stain removers you can mix some of your detergent with a small amount of water to create a foamy/pasty substance. Use this to scrub the stained area gently. Then wash the garment or towel according to instructions.

If you can get your hands on a spray-on or rub-on stain remover, use that according to instructions on the package. Put the stained item in the washer and you should see no stain when the cycle is complete. Be careful to use the right cleaning products for the type of fabric involved. It may be necessary to get professional help if the item is particularly sensitive to detergents and cleansers.

Keep it From Happening
One of the best ways to avoid obvious stains from soy sauce is to keep the white and light-colored clothing in the closet when cooking. In addition, you should wear a full apron (one that covers the chest area too) when cooking with this type of sauce. From that point, you’ll just have to be very careful when handling soy sauce.

If you are concerned about staining carpet with spilled soy sauce, make sure that the people at the dinner table can get to the sauce without reaching past the table’s edge. You may even want to protect the carpet with clear runners around and under the table.

Carpet Stains
It may be possible to remove soy sauce stains from carpet with a mixture of dish soap or mild detergent with water. Put this directly on the stained area and blot it with a soft cloth or rag. Rubbing might push some of the stain deeper into the carpet so be careful. Using a small amount of household ammonia can help remove the stain and eliminate the odor as well. You can finish the task with a new sponge dampened with water.

If the soy sauce stain persists, you may have to use a commercial spot remover applied directly onto the stain. Many of the newer products are very good at getting rid of the most stubborn stains. The next step will probably be calling in some professional carpet-cleaning help.

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