How to Treat Soda Spills on Clothing

Soda stains, especially the darker-colored colas, contain tannin. Soaps and detergent set stains containing tannin, which also includes tea and coffee, so they become permanent. You must clean up the spill from the clothing before washing the item to prevent your usual laundry detergent from setting the stain and ruining your clothes. Treat soda stains as soon as possible after they occur, preferably within 24 hours to prevent them from becoming permanent.

Things You'll Need

• White vinegar
• Chlorine bleach
• Oxygenated bleach

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Soak the cola stain in distilled white vinegar for five to 10 minutes. Vinegar breaks down the tannin in the cola.

   • 2

     Machine wash the clothing item in the hottest water acceptable on the item's care tag. Use your usual laundry detergent.

   • 3

     Inspect the item after washing for any remaining stains.

   • 4

     Treat any remaining stain with chlorine bleach for white clothing, or a color-safe or oxygenated bleach for colored clothing. Soak the the clothing in the bleach for up to five minutes. Wash and dry as usual.