Stain Guide: Peanut Butter (and other nut butters)
This is a 4th generation dry cleaner's guide for removing a peanut butter stain!
What you need
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Dish soap
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All-purpose stain-remover spray (with the enzyme amylase)
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Powdered oxygen bleach or 3% hydrogen peroxide
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Clean towels
Steps
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Allow the stain to dry and then wipe away any physical bits with a clean, damp towel.
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Mix a solution of 2 or 3 drops of dish soap or laundry detergent and warm water. Work this solution into the stain and tamp it in with the brush.
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Tamp or pat in the all-purpose stain remover (the enzyme needed to break down the sugar in peanut butter is amylase).
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Allow this pretreatment to sit on the stain for at least 15 minutes.
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Wash as recommended on the care label.
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Inspect before drying. If the stain was removed, dry as recommended on the care label; if not, follow the instructions below.
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Soak the stained garment in hot water and powdered oxygen bleach overnight OR spray the garment with 3% hydrogen peroxide and allow it to air-dry.
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Rewash and inspect before drying.
Overtime, the sugar in peanut butter will oxidize and turn yellow / brown (this is the same reaction that happens when an apple or avocado browns after being cut into). The best way to avoid this issue is to get to the stain as soon as possible.