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Removing ketchup stains
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Removing ketchup stains
A bottle that squeezes too hard, a chip that falls off your plate or a child who spills something on the sofa: ketchup stains appear quickly and are immediately noticeable. Ketchup is particularly troublesome because it not only stains red, but also contains sugar and acids. This can cause it to dry sticky and leave a visible ring. The colour absorbs quickly into textiles, and often leaves a red haze on floors when smeared.
Acting quickly helps to prevent discolouration. If you wait too long, ketchup will dry into a hard, sticky layer that attracts dirt and is more difficult to remove.
Fortunately, ketchup stains can usually be removed effectively with the right approach. Below are the factors to consider for each type of surface.
Voor deze vlekken geldt hetzelfde advies: Ketchup, Tomato purée, Tomato ketchup
Characteristics (anatomy) of a ketchup stain
Ketchup contains tomatoes, colourings, sugar and usually vinegar. The tomatoes and herbs give it its red colour, the sugar makes it sticky and the vinegar gives it a slightly sour taste. Once ketchup dries, it leaves behind a sticky layer that adheres to fibres or the top layer of a floor. The dyes can soak into the fabric and leave a pink or red stain, even if you have almost removed the stain. If you start with too much water or rub too hard, you will spread the colour and create a ring more quickly.
Ketchup stains in carpet and rug
Ketchup is difficult to remove from carpet because it contains colourings, sugars and often vinegar as well. It absorbs quickly and leaves a reddish-orange stain that may appear darker after drying. The sugar can make the area sticky, causing dirt to stick to it and making the stain appear larger.
If you leave it, a clear edge will often form because the moisture is drawn out during drying. The stain may then develop a ring with a lighter centre. The area may also become discoloured due to dirt sticking to the sticky residue.
Please note that rubbing pushes the ketchup deeper into the fibres and spreads the colour. A larger area of moisture may also remain visible later in the form of a ring. Ketchup is notorious for appearing bright at first and then remaining as a dull, reddish-brown shadow.
Treat with James Stainwonder
This stain can be treated with James Stainwonder. All you need is a bottle of James Stainwonder!
- Test for colour and material resistance in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry completely and evaluate.
- Allow the surface to dry completely.
- Apply James Stainwonder to the dry stain by turning the bottle upside down, placing the opening of the bottle on the stain and treating the entire stain.
- The product works for 12 hours, so the effect does not have to be visible immediately.*
- Is the stain not completely gone after treatment, but it has improved? You may repeat the treatment.
* With wool: in the vast majority of cases, James Stainwonder does not cause any discolouration. You have already established this by testing the product in an inconspicuous area as described above. In that case, you do not need to carry out the following step. If a (slight) discolouration did occur, you should neutralise James Stainwonder as soon as the stain has disappeared. In this case, immediately place a damp cotton cloth on the spot where the stain was and let it dry.
Immediate treatment with water
This stain can be treated immediately with water. For this you need a white, cotton cloth and water. Follow the steps below:
- First remove, as far as possible, any loose substances using a spoon.
- Immediately hold a white cotton cloth under the cold tap, wring it out and place it flat on the stain.
- Leave the cotton cloth in place to dry completely, no peeking. Should the cloth become saturated, replace it with a fresh one as described above. Then leave the cloth until it is completely dry.
Note: Do not perform the above instructions if water causes aspect loss or discoloration on the material to be treated.
Ketchup stains on hard floors
On hard floors, ketchup often remains as a thick blob, but it can smear into a red trail. When it dries, it leaves behind a sticky film that causes streaks. The red may remain in the structure and seams, creating a visible edge when light hits it.
If you leave it, it will become harder and stickier at the same time: the top will dry, but the sugar coating will remain sticky. This attracts dust and makes the track look grey. With natural stone, colour can remain visible for longer if it enters small pores or irregularities.
Be careful not to make the problem worse by walking through it or smearing it over a larger area. A thin layer may also appear almost invisible after drying, but still look streaky when viewed in raking light. With ketchup, it often comes down to the difference between ‘clean’ and ‘film-free’.
Treatment with James Remover
This stain can be treated with James Remover.
Before use, always test in an inconspicuous area for color and material resistance: apply, leave for 5 minutes, clean the tested area with water, allow to dry and evaluate.
- Spray directly onto the purpose area
- Leave to soak for about 1 to 5 minutes
- Then, use a white cotton cloth to remove the grease
- If necessary, gently treat stubborn stains with a soft brush or plastic spatula.
- After use, always clean the area with water.
Attention: be careful when working near a glue seams. Allow James Remover to soak in shortly. Do not let the product penetrate into cracks or seams.
Treat using a moist cotton cloth
This stain can be treated immediately with water. Use clean water and preferably a white, cotton cloth.
Ketchup stains on upholstery fabric
Ketchup absorbs quickly into upholstery fabric and spreads throughout the fabric layer. You often get a red-orange stain with a rim, and after drying, the spot may remain sticky due to sugar. This makes it extra sensitive to dust and hairs, causing the area to look dirty more quickly.
If you leave it, the colour can penetrate deeper into the fibres and a dull shadow will remain visible. On light fabrics, this often appears as a pink to rust-coloured tinge. On dark fabrics, you are more likely to see a dull area that stands out when light hits it.
Please note that rubbing will make the stain larger and may alter the fabric structure. A larger moisture zone may also remain visible later as a circle, regardless of the red colour. Ketchup is particularly treacherous due to the combination of colour and sticky residue.
Treat with James Stainwonder (*furniture fabrics)
This stain can be treated with James Stainwonder. Always test for colour fastness and material perpetuation in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry and evaluate.
- Allow the surface to dry completely.
- Apply James Stainwonder to the dry stain by turning the bottle upside down, placing the opening of the bottle on the stain and treating the entire stain. Spread a little James Stainwonder on a clean, dry cotton cloth towel and use it to cover the stain. This is to prevent circles from appearing after drying.
- The product works for 12 hours, so the effect does not have to be immediate. Do not remove the cotton cloth until it is dry to see the result.*
- Is the stain not completely gone after treatment, but it has improved? You may repeat the treatment.
* With wool: in the vast majority of cases James Stainwonder does not cause any discolouration. You have already established this by testing the product in an inconspicuous area as described above. In that case, you do not need to carry out the following step. If there is a (slight) discolouration, neutralise James Stainwonder with water as soon as the stain has disappeared (to do this, however, lift the cotton cloth in between to be able to assess whether the stain has already disappeared). In this case, immediately place another damp cotton cloth on the spot where the stain was and let it dry.
Immediate treatment with water
This stain can be treated immediately with water. For this you need a white, cotton cloth and water. Follow the steps below:
- First remove, as far as possible, any loose substances using a spoon.
- Immediately hold a white cotton cloth under the cold tap, wring it out and place it flat on the stain.
- Leave the cotton cloth in place to dry completely, no peeking. Should the cloth become saturated, replace it with a fresh one as described above. Then leave the cloth until it is completely dry.
Note: Do not perform the above instructions if water causes aspect loss or discoloration on the material to be treated.
Would you also like to benefit from James’ effective stain removal? Discover our full range and order your James products easily online. You’ll soon be enjoying a clean and stain-free interior again!
Frequently asked questions and myths
There are all sorts of stories circulating about how to remove these ketchup stains. From granny’s remedies to persistent tips from the internet – but what really works? In this section, we answer frequently asked questions and debunk a few myths. This allows you to get started with confidence.
Does salt help on a fresh ketchup stain?
Salt is often mentioned because it can absorb moisture, but it has limited effect on ketchup. Ketchup is thick and contains sugar and colourings. Salt mainly absorbs moisture, but leaves most of the red colour and stickiness behind. Furthermore, salt can remain in carpets or fabrics and cause abrasion when you rub it away. It is better to first remove the ketchup and then clean with a suitable product that loosens colour and sugar residues, so that the stain really disappears.
Is washing-up liquid a good solution for ketchup?
Dishwashing liquid can help against grease, but ketchup is mainly a combination of colour and sugar. Washing-up liquid can sometimes spread the stain and is difficult to rinse out of fibres, leaving a sticky spot that attracts dirt. It may leave streaks on floors. It sometimes works on small stains, but a cleaner designed to remove dyes and sticky residues usually gives better results and reduces the risk of leaving a ring.
Should you treat ketchup with warm water?
I would rather not. Hot water can actually cause colourings to adhere more quickly and make the sugar coating more spreadable. This will make the stain bigger and cause a pink haze to appear more quickly. If you need moisture, it is preferable to use lukewarm or cool water, and apply it very locally. More importantly, first remove the ketchup without smearing it and then use a suitable cleaning agent. Then pat dry thoroughly to prevent circles and stickiness.
Does vinegar work on ketchup stains?
Vinegar is mentioned because ketchup itself contains vinegar, but adding extra vinegar is not necessarily a good idea. Vinegar can cause damage to natural stone. On textiles, it can sometimes move the stain, but the dyes often remain. Furthermore, it does not always dissolve the sticky sugar layer properly. If you really want to remove ketchup, it is better to choose a product that can loosen colour and sugar residues and that is suitable for your surface. That is safer and more effective.
Will the red colour disappear on its own if you just dab it well?
Dabbing is a good first step, but usually not enough. You mainly remove the moisture and some of the ketchup, but colourings and sugar remain in the fibres or on the surface. This will result in a pink shadow or a sticky spot that attracts dirt. After dabbing, you should always clean with a suitable agent that loosens the residue. Then soak thoroughly and dry to prevent the stain from returning.
Deal with any stain using the right approach from James
Ketchup stains are noticeable because of their colour and annoying because of their sticky sugar coating. By first absorbing the stain gently and then cleaning it locally, you can prevent the stain from spreading or forming a ring. With James’ products and advice, you can safely remove ketchup from carpets, hard floors and upholstery without damaging fibres or surface layers. Treat the stain quickly to keep your interior fresh, smooth and clean.