How to remove cherry stain:
What really works when the red doesn't come off

A story from life

"I was walking home from the market, had cherries in a canvas bag and had no idea that a few cracked ones had started to leak. By the time I got home, I had red spots on my white linen and my dress. I was about to give up, but thanks to advice from my grandmother, I pulled them all out - no chemicals, no spots."

- Eva, EcoHaus customer

Why cherries dye so strongly

Cherries contain dark red dyes - natural anthocyanins. They are often sweet and juicy, so they absorb easily into the fabric and dry into a sticky film thanks to the sugar. If the stain dries, it tends to be distinctive and difficult to remove. The key is speed and the correct sequence of steps.

How to cherry stain step by step

What helps:

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

Procedure:

Rinse the stain with cold water as soon as possible - ideally from the reverse side out.
Why it works.
Leave on for 10-15 minutes. Gently wash.
Wash with EcoHaus wash cloths at 30-40°C.
Why it works: The papers can handle sugar and pigment without scrubbing.
For white laundry, add sodium percarbonate to the wash.
Why it works: Active oxygen breaks down leftover pigments and lightens the fabric.
If a shadow remains, repeat the whole process or use white vinegar instead of lemon.

What to watch out for

Don't use hot water - the dark pigments will be fixed by the heat and the stain will "bake in".
Don't wait - the sooner the stain is treated, the more likely it is to disappear without a trace.
Do not try conventional bleaches - they can turn a red stain into a grey or brown shade.

➙ Tip from Grandma Petra

The quickest first aid? Put your clothes in cold water, sprinkle with lemon and let them sit for an hour. Often the pigment will pull off on its own without washing.

➙ Tip from Vlaďka - the cleaning lady

When cherries leave a purple shadow even after washing, a short soak in water with citric acid and a little detergent helps. And don't scrub anything dry.

Is there another stain left on your clothes?

Maybe it's chocolate, wine, ketchup or a side dish? In that case, take a look in the Spotter - for instructions on all types of stains. And if you need help now, click on Vlad - the clever assistant in the bottom right corner.

Got a trick of your own?

Write in the comments or send your technique to marketing@ecohaus.cz. We'll be happy to publish the most interesting tips - and your advice can help others. We believe that everything goes better when we share experiences.

Summary

Cherries can make a parade on a plate, but also a disaster on a T-shirt. But if you know how to use them - and use the right combination of nature and care - they'll be a sweet memory. Not a stain.