A can of soda can be a refreshing drink on a hot day, but the sticky residue left behind on your clothes is not so welcome. The sugar and acids in soda can leave behind a sticky, dark residue that is hard to wash out of your clothes.
If you have soda stains on your clothes, you’ll need to work quickly to remove them while the stain is still fresh and wet.

The good news is, that there are some simple ways to get soda stains out of clothing. Here are some tips for removing soda stains from your clothes:
Does Soda Stain clothes?
Yes, soda stains are possible. Soda is a chemical that contains carbonic acid, phosphoric acid, and salts of sodium and potassium. The acids in soda can leave stains on fabrics if not properly removed.
Are Soda Stains Permanent on Clothes?
So Stains are not permanent on clothes, but they can be hard to get out of the fabric. The stains may be permanent on clothes if you don’t remove them immediately after spilling the soda on your clothing.
If you do not treat so stains immediately, it could cause permanent damage to your garment. You will need to wash your clothing as soon as possible before any stain sets in.
Do Soda Stains Wash Out of Clothes?
Yes, so stains can be removed from clothes by washing with warm water and detergent or other stain removers that contain enzymes or oxygen bleach.
How to Get Soda Stains Out of Clothes
Using Dish Washing Soap and Water
The best way to treat soda stains on clothing is by using dishwashing soap and water. Dishwashing soap contains surfactants, which are chemicals that break down oil and grease on fabric.
The surfactants in dish soap help loosen the soda residue from your clothes so they can be washed away with water.
Steps to Follow
Step 1: Blot
The first step in removing soda stains from clothes is to remove as much as possible.
Blot the stain with a clean white cloth or paper towel. Do not rub the stain because this will only spread it further into the fabric of your clothing.
Step 2: Soak in Water
The first step in removing soda stains from clothes is soaking them in warm water so that they can soak up more of the solution. Soak the item for several hours or until they are completely saturated with water.
Step 2: Apply Dish Soap
Next, apply a dish soap directly onto the stain and rub it gently into the fabric with your fingers until it starts foaming up on its own.
Do not scrub too hard because this may cause more damage than good since you’re working with delicate fabrics here.
Step 3: Rinse and Wash
Rinse out your clothing thoroughly after soaking with warm water and then launder as usual using cold water settings with mild laundry detergent, avoiding any hot-water settings that may set soda stains permanently in place.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 if necessary until all traces of soda have been removed from your clothing.
Vinegar and Water
Vinegar, water, and a little bit of elbow grease are all you need to get soda stains out of clothes. This is one of the most effective methods for cleaning soda stains from clothes.
Vinegar is a great cleaning solution for removing soda stains from clothes because it’s inexpensive and easy to find.
- The best way to use vinegar for soda stain removal is by mixing equal parts of water and vinegar together.
- Then, soak the stained area of the fabric in the mixture for several minutes.
- After soaking, launder as usual in cold water with mild detergent.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
Baking soda is a great stain remover because it has a mild abrasive effect on clothing fibers. Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent, so it breaks down organic stains, such as blood or rust, in addition to its bleaching capabilities.
The combination of these two ingredients makes them an excellent stain remover for clothes.
- To use this method, simply mix 1 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide with 1/2 cup of baking soda.
- Next, dip your finger into this mixture and rub it over the stain.
- Put the mixture onto your stain and let it sit for 10 minutes before washing as usual.
- You may need to repeat this process several times before all traces of stain are gone from your clothing item.
Other Best Ways to get Soda Stains Out of Clothes
Clear Soda Stains with Lemon Juice
Soda contains phosphoric acid and carbon dioxide, which react with each other when they come into contact with water. Lemon juice also contains citric acid, which reacts similarly to soda. You can use lemon juice as an alternative if you don’t have any club soda on hand.
Soak your stained garment in a mixture of one tablespoon of lemon juice and two cups of water for 10 minutes before washing it as usual.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is another alternative to club soda if you don’t have any around the house. Apply rubbing alcohol directly to the stain, let it sit for five minutes, then wash as usual. This should remove most stains from cotton, linen, or polyester fibers.
Commercial Stain Remover
Use a commercial stain remover, such as OxiClean or Resolve. These products contain enzymes that break down the stain, making it easier for the detergent in your laundry product to lift the stain from your clothing.
Mix up a paste of Oxiclean and water, and apply it gently with a soft cloth or sponge. Let it sit for an hour or two, then rinse well with cold water. If the stain persists, repeat the process until all traces of the stain disappear.
How to Remove Dried Soda Out of Clothes
- Mix one part white vinegar with two parts cool water and dishwashing detergent in a bowl.
- Spray the mixture onto the stain, making sure to saturate it completely.
- Let it sit for five minutes or so before moving on to step three.
- Rinse out your clothes with cold water until all of the vinegar mixtures have been removed from them.
How to Get Soda Stains Out of Carpet
Soda stains are not just unsightly, but can also be difficult to remove. The best way to remove soda stains from carpeting is by using a solution of warm water and vinegar. This method will work on most types of soda stains, including cola and root beer.
- The first thing you should do is blot up as much of the soda as possible with a cloth or paper towel. This will prevent the stain from setting in and spreading further.
- Next, mix one part white vinegar with two parts warm water and pour directly onto the stain.
- Blot up any excess liquid and allow the mixture to sit for about five minutes.
- Afterward, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away the stain and rinse with cold water.
- Finally, blot up excess moisture with a dry towel and leave the area alone until it dries completely.
Soda Stains FAQs
Does Coke Soda Stain Clothes?
Yes, Coke will stain your clothes. The dark color of the soda creates a permanent stain that is hard to get out. It’s not just the color of the liquid that causes staining, it’s also the sugar and carbonation in the beverage.
Does Fanta Stain Clothes?
Fanta soda is made with artificial sweeteners and food coloring that can leave stains on fabrics and carpeting if you spill it on yourself or your clothes.
You’ll need to use cold water and mild detergent in order to remove any Fanta soda stains from fabric and carpeting.
Does Orange Soda Stain Clothes?
Yes, orange soda can stain if you spill it on yourself or on your clothes but not necessarily permanently as long as you take steps immediately after the spill.
Does Diet Coke Stain Clothes
Yes, it can. The sugar in diet soda is what makes it causes stains. While the sugar content in soda is low enough that it’s not likely to cause cavities, it can still cause stains on clothes.
Does Sprite Stain Clothes
Yes, the sprite does stain clothes. The main ingredient in a sprite is citric acid which can leave stains if they are left on clothing for long periods of time or if they come into direct contact with fabric fibers.
Final Words
Soda stains are one of the many downsides to enjoying soft drinks. Fortunately, you can use some of the mentioned ways above to get soda stains out of clothes. The most important thing is to act fast before the soda dries on the fabric.