Luniva

How to remove stains from jeans and denim

Denim is tough, but it's thick and absorbent, so stains soak right in. The good news is the method is the same as any other fabric: treat the stain with the right bottle, make sure it's wet through, then wash.

Updated 14 October 2026 · 2 min read · By the Luniva team

Which bottle for which denim stain

How to treat a stain on jeans

  1. 1Spray until wet throughDenim is thick, so spray until the stain is soaked, not just damp on the surface. Don't rub.
  2. 2Wait 1–3 minutesLeave it to work. Don't let it dry on the fabric.
  3. 3Wash inside outTurn the jeans inside out and wash as normal, following the care label. Air-dry and check before tumble drying.

Protecting the colour

Both formulas are bleach-free and colour-safe on colour-fast fabrics. Dark and raw denim can lose dye in any wash, so test on a hidden spot first, such as the inside of the waistband, and wash dark jeans with similar colours.

Denim jackets with leather or suede trims

Use the blue one: Pro Formula

Keep Pro Formula off leather and suede patches and collars. Treat only the denim, and test first.

Top tips

  • Scrape off any excess food before you spray.
  • Let mud dry completely, then brush it off. Wet mud just spreads.
  • Wash workshop jeans with oil marks on their own.

Questions

Both formulas are bleach-free and colour-safe on colour-fast washable fabrics. Very dark or raw denim can bleed dye in any wash, so test on a hidden area first.

Dried-in marks often need a second pass. Re-spray, leave for the full 1–3 minutes and wash again rather than extending the working time on a single application.

Stain guides for this

More stain advice