How to remove a banana stain:
Quickly, gently and without unnecessary work

A story from life

"When the little one started on the baby food, I felt that a banana was the safest choice. Until he dropped a piece on his bodysuit and left a stain that got even darker after washing. I tried everything, but it wasn't until Grandma's soda and lemon trick that it really worked."

- Denisa, EcoHaus customer

Why banana leaves stains that get worse

A banana contains sugars, enzymes and fruit substances that don't leave a visible trace at first glance. But once they dry and start to oxidise in the air, the stain darkens to a grey-brown. The longer it stays, the harder it is to remove. And ordinary washing is often not enough.

How to treat a banana stain step by step

What helps:

Cold water
Baking soda
Citric acid or lemon juice
EcoHaus Washing Papers
Sodium percarbonate - for white laundry only
White vinegar 10%

Procedure:

Rinse the stain with cold water as soon as possible, several times.
Sprinkle with baking soda and cover with lemon juice or a mixture of citric acid and water. Why it works: Soda and acid will disrupt the oxidized components of the banana and help pull them out of the fibers.
Leave for 15-20 minutes. Gently wash.
Wash with EcoHaus washcloths on a normal cycle (30-40°C).
For white clothes, add sodium percarbonate to the wash. Why it works: Active oxygen bleaches out dark residual stains without damaging the fabric.

What to watch out for

Don't use warm water at the start. The heat will cause faster oxidation and "lock" the stain in the fiber.
Do not let the stain dry. Banana juice may not be visible right away, but it will darken later.
Do not try bleach. They are ineffective on organic stains and can leave a yellow shadow.

Tip from Grandma Petra

Lemon has always worked for banana - a little in a glass of water, soak the stain and leave for 10 minutes. Then classic baking soda and wash. It works for older starters too.

Tip from Vlaďka - the cleaning lady

A combination of percarbonate of soda and vinegar - each separately, not together - helps for a spot that stays spotty even after washing. The vinegar first neutralises the residue, the percarbonate cleans it to white.

Are you dealing with a different type of stain?

From raspberries to chocolate, you'll find articles for all the common and not-so-common stains in our Stain Guide. When you need advice now, open the Vladyka in the bottom right corner - she answers quickly and practically.

Do you have a proven trick?

Share it - write it in the comments below the article or send it to marketing@ecohaus.cz. We'll include the best tips in future articles or share them on Instagram. Thank you for helping to create an eco community.

Summary

Banana stain is tricky in that it only darkens over time. But if you use baking soda, lemon, and proper laundering, you can remove it from even baby clothes without chemicals and stress. And most importantly, without your favorite bodysuit ending up in the take-home box.