Video:How to Remove Dirt Stains

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Transcript:How to Remove Dirt Stains

Hey guys - Jonathon Stewart here for About.com with today's 90-second quick tip. Sometimes there's nothing like rolling around on the ground outside to get in touch with your inner child, especially if you are, in fact, a child. Or a gardner. Or a dog, except that dogs don't generally have to worry about staining their pants. But whether it's your child, your garden, or your pants-wearing pup, take a look at these tips and banish your dirt stains for good. Check it out.

Shake Off Excess Dirt

Dirt stains can be tricky because they're not always made up of just one kind of dirt. Start by shaking or scraping off any excess, so you can best see what it is you're dealing with.

Check the Laundry Labels

Always be sure to check your labels before digging into any stain-removing project, and if your garment typically requires professional care, this is no time to take matters into your own hands. But if you're dealing with typically washable material, game on.

Remove the Dirt Stain

Once you're down to the remaining dirt that's embedded in the fabric of your clothing, mix a teaspoon of a mild, chemical-free laundry detergent with about a cup of room-temperature water. Next, take a clean cloth and carefully blot the stain, being careful not to grind it in further. If the stain persists, try mixing a tablespoon of ammonia and water and blotting as before.

Check for Grass Stains

A word to the wise here - if you've got any sort of grass stain hiding behind your dirt, the laundry detergent and water should expose it. At this point, do not apply the ammonia, unless you want your pants to explode. Okay, maybe they won't explode, but they might be grass-stained forever. For more info on removing these mean greenies, check out our grass stains video in the home and garden section at video.about.com.

Removing Tough Dirt Stains

Finally, go back to your laundry detergent mixture and blot a final time, then launder as usual in the hottest water your garment will allow. Be sure to check that your stain is completely gone before putting any piece of clothing in the dryer. And be sure never to put your dog in the dryer. Or your child. Just sayin' - word to the wise.

Thanks for watching! To learn more, visit us on the Web at About.com.