How do I get egg out of an apron or uniform?
Sources last checked
Egg wash dripped from the brush onto your sleeve.
The short answer
Egg is a protein stain. Heat cooks it into the cloth. (Pacific Northwest Extension; University of Georgia Extension)
Do this now
- Scrape off the extra. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension)
The water
- Soak it in cool water with an enzyme detergent for 30 minutes. (University of Georgia Extension; American Cleaning Institute)
Before the dryer
- Wash it as usual. (American Cleaning Institute)
- Look at the spot before the dryer. Heat sets it. (American Cleaning Institute; New Mexico State University Extension)
Never do this
- Never use hot water on egg. It sets the stain. (University of Georgia Extension)
When to give up
- Keep it out of the dryer if the stain stays. Some stains do not come out. (American Cleaning Institute; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension)
Check the care tag first. Test any stain remover on a hidden spot. A stain that sets in the dryer is much harder to move, so look before you dry.
The words of the sources
Each step above, quoted from the page it comes from.
“Heat can permanently set protein: i.e., cooked egg white or milk”
“Never use hot water on an egg stain! It will set it.”
“Blot or scrape excess liquid or solid matter from the surface”
“Soak in cool water with laundry detergent containing enzymes at least 30 minutes.”
“Soak for at least 30 minutes or several hours for aged stains.”
“Egg Pretreat or soak stains using a product containing enzymes.”
“Do not put it in the dryer until the stain is removed.”
“Heat sets stains. Do not press a stained fabric or dry it in the dryer.”
“not all stains can be removed”
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change and your local health department has the final say. Check with them before you open or change how you work. CleanCleaver is a food safety app, not a laundry authority: follow your garment's care tag.