Summer may be coming to an end, but the season of sun, parks, beaches, festivals, and outdoor parties may have resulted in a host of stains on your favourite clothes.

There's nothing worse than getting grass stains on an outfit or your child's school clothes, and they can be a tough job to remove.

However, popular stain removal methods such as baking soda, vinegar or lemon cause permanent damage.

Luckily, cleaning experts have shared a simple hack that can help you banish grass stains from your clothes before they remain permanent.

“When summer rolls around, people start donning their white summer dresses and outfits,” say clothing experts at workwear specialist company, Stock Mfg. Co.. “But this leaves them more vulnerable to highly visible stains from things like BBQ sauce to grass.” 

Surprisingly, sugar can be your secret weapon against grass stains. 

"Sugar's molecular structure can compete with chlorophyll for bonding sites on cotton fibres, helping to lift the stain," explain the experts.

“Apply sugar to the stain before laundering to break down the chlorophyll, carotenoids, and xanthophylls. For best results, treat the stain as soon as possible and wash in cold water to prevent setting.”

The sugar method is particularly effective on fresh stains and can significantly improve your chances of complete stain removal.

Add water to sugar to form a paste and apply it to the stain. Let it sit for an hour and then wash in cold water. You can also wash it on a colder setting on your washing machine.

However, it's important to check the grass stain is completely gone before putting it into a tumble dryer. Otherwise, the heat can cause the stain to set permanently.

It's not the only stain that you can remove with natural methods. Sun cream stains can also wreak havoc on your clothes and are more complex than they appear, often resembling rust stains due to a chemical reaction. 

"Avobenzone, a common sunscreen ingredient, can oxidise when mixed with minerals in water, creating stubborn orange stains," the Stock Mfg. experts explain. “To remove these stains, apply a mixture of lemon juice and salt, letting it sit overnight.” 

This method is particularly effective on synthetic fabrics and in areas with hard water.

Avoid using chlorine or oxygen bleach, as these can worsen the stain. Treat stains promptly for best results, especially before exposing the garment to more water.

A spokesperson for Stock Mfg. said: "In our experience working with fabrics, we've learned that successful stain removal is as much about understanding the science as it is about technique. Each type of stain interacts differently with fabric fibres, and knowing these interactions is the key to effective treatment.

"For instance, protein-based stains like sweat require enzymatic cleaners, while oil-based stains respond better to surfactants. The most common mistake we see is people treating all stains the same way.

"Remember, patience is essential - rushing the process often leads to setting the stain deeper into the fabric. 

"Also, always test any stain removal method on an inconspicuous area first. With the right knowledge and approach, even the most stubborn summer stains can be conquered."