Skip to Content

How to Remove Flower Pollen Stains

Flower pollen stains can be quite a nuisance, especially during springtime and summertime when blossoms are full bloom. While beautiful and fragrant, flowers can leave behind unsightly yellow or orange stain on clothing, upholstery, and other fabrics. In this article, we'll share some practical and effective tips to help you bid farewell to flower pollen stalls. From quick remedies to preventative measures, we've got you covered.

Try to Remove the Pollen Quickly

The key to successful stain removal is to act quickly. As soon as you notice a flower pollen stain – don’t wait – tackle it immediately. The longer the stains sits, the harder it becomes to remove, So let’s jump right into the stain removal techniques.

Shake or Brush the Pollen From Your Clothes

Start by gently shaking the stained fabric or using a soft brush to remove any loose pollen particles. Be cautious not to rub that stain, as it might push the pollen deeper into the fabric fibers. Never dab it with a wet cloth! Making the pollen wet tends to work the stain further into your clothes and also makes it a much larger stain. If you feel like shaking or brushing could cause the pollen to spread, try tape! Using the strips of tape, gently apply them to lift the pollen off of the clothing. Be careful to not press the tape too hard as you do not want to press the pollen into the fibers of the cloth. Carefully remove the tape with the pollen attached. Once you have removed all of the pollen that is sitting on top of the fabric, inspect the area to see if there is any staining on the clothing.

Pretreat the Pollen with Stain Remover

For tougher pollen stains, consider pretreating the area with a stain remover. Look for a stain remover that is safe for the fabric type you are dealing with. Apply a small amount to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Follow the product instructions and then proceed to rinse.

If you don't have a stain remover handy, you can try a little bit of Purex® detergent or white vinegar to dab at the stain. Don't rub the stair too harshly, you do not want to make the stain larger or set it further into the fabric.

Launder as Usual

After the stain is significantly reduced or completely removed, launder the fabric as you normally would. Use the appropriate detergent, either liquid or Pacs, follow the care instructions to make sure the stain has been completely removed. Drying the item in the dryer can set the stain, making it nearly impossible to remove. If there are still remnants of the stain, you have a couple of options. Either reapply the stain remover and repeat the process or soak the clothing item in water with a small amount of detergent. If you chose to presoak, after thirty to sixty minutes, transfer the item to the washing machine and wash normally.

Preventative Measures

To minimize the changes of flower pollen stains, here are a few preventative measures Purex® recommends:

  • Avoid brushing against flowers or sitting directly on pollen-heavy surfaces
  • Shake or brush off any visible pollen immediately after exposure
  • Consider using protective covers or sprays on upholstery to repel pollen

Flower pollen stains can be challenging to remove but with prompt action and the right techniques, you can restore your fabrics to their former glory. Remember to act quickly, avoid heat, and use appropriate stain removers. With the preventative measures mentioned, you can significantly reduce the the occurrence of these stains in the first place. Enjoy the beauty of flowers without worrying about stubborn pollen stains. For other popular outdoor stains, view how to remove mud and grass stains.

To learn more about Purex®’s great products at a great price, explore our scented liquid detergentslaundry Pacs, and fragrance boosters.

Author: The Purex® Stain Lab

We understand that life gets messy and want to make laundry as easy as possible for you. With quality & value continuing to be at the core of our product development, we continue to create highly effective laundry detergent & supplies. We tested some of the toughest stains to keep your clothing looking brand new. View our Stain Lab for our best recommendations to get life's toughest stains out of your clothing.

Explore Other Stain Removal Articles

  • How to Remove Mud Stains

    April showers bring… mud? The green soccer field turns into a mud pit, and the baseball diamond is a slip and slide of mud from base to base. Now that you have mud covered uniforms and clothing, what to do with it? 

  • How to Remove Sports Stains

    Your kids are outside playing sports, and the only thing you need to tackle are the stains they make. 

  • How to Remove Grass Stains

    As the school year starts up again, we seem to find more and more grass stains on our clothing. With sporting events, children playing outside, it is a rare occasion to be completely stain-free. But why are grass stains so prevalent on cotton t-shirts and jeans? Why do grass stains seem to really “stick” to cotton and stain so deeply? 

Discover Scented Laundry Detergents & Fragrance Boosters

Purex® Liquid Laundry Detergents

Purex® liquid laundry detergent provides a powerful clean and keeps your clothes smelling fresh for weeks for an affordable price.

Purex® Crystals In-Wash Fragrance Boosters

Purex® Crystals infuses your clothes with an extraordinary freshness that puts the finishing touch on your laundry & can last up to 12 weeks.