How to remove soy sauce stains
Updated · By the Luniva team
Quick answer
Use Luniva Enzyme Powered (the pink one). Spray it directly onto the stain, leave it for 1–3 minutes, then wash as normal following the garment care label.
Use cold water, not hot, for the first rinse. Hot water can help a dark food stain settle into the fibres.
Step by step
- 1
Blot it straight away
Press a clean cloth or kitchen roll onto the splash to soak up as much liquid as you can. Don't rub.
- 2
Rinse from the back
Run cold water through the back of the stain to push it out the way it came in.
- 3
Spray and wait 1–3 minutes
Spray Luniva Enzyme Powered onto the stain until it's covered. Don't let it dry.
- 4
Wash as normal
Wash with your usual detergent, following the care label. Check the stain has gone before tumble drying.
Soy sauce splashes from a takeaway, a stir-fry or sushi leave dark brown marks that can look permanent on light clothes. It's a food stain, so it's a job for Luniva Enzyme Powered: blot, spray, wait 1–3 minutes, then wash as normal.
Why soy sauce stains
Soy sauce is a concentrated, dark liquid made from fermented soya beans and wheat, so it soaks quickly into fabric and leaves a brown mark as it dries. Teriyaki, hoisin and sweet chilli sauces add sugar, which makes the stain sticky too. The quicker you treat it, the easier it comes out.
Fabric guide
Best on washable everyday fabrics
Cotton, linen, denim, polyester and cotton blends: clothes, kidswear, bedding, towels and washable covers.
Test first on delicates
Patch-test an inconspicuous area on silk, wool, viscose, leather-trimmed items or anything labelled dry-clean only.
Don't let it dry
Spray, leave 1–3 minutes, then wash. Don't let the treated area dry out before washing.
Check before drying
Inspect the area after washing and repeat if any shadow remains. Dryer heat can set a leftover mark.
Soy sauce: questions
Usually, yes. Spray Enzyme Powered until the stain is wet through, leave it for 1–3 minutes and wash as normal. A second round works better than leaving one application on longer.
Yes. They're all food stains, so use Enzyme Powered the same way. Lift off any sticky residue first.
Enzyme Powered is bleach-free and colour-safe on colour-fast washable fabrics. Follow the care label, and test on a hidden area first if you're unsure.
Based on controlled laboratory testing. Performance may vary by stain type, fabric, age of the stain and wash conditions. Always follow the garment care label and test an inconspicuous area first.