To remove ketchup from clothes, scrape off excess ketchup, flush the stain with cold water, treat with laundry detergent or stain remover, then wash in the warmest water safe for the fabric. Check the stain before drying; repeat treatment if necessary.
To get ketchup out of clothes, it is important to act fast. Begin by gently scraping off any excess ketchup with a spoon or a knife, taking care not to spread the stain. Then, run cold water through the back of the stain as quickly as possible to flush out as much ketchup as you can.
Next, apply a liquid laundry detergent or a stain remover to the affected area and gently rub it in with a soft brush or your fingertips. Allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes. After the treatment, wash the garment in the warmest water recommended for the fabric, checking the care label for instructions. Before drying, make sure the stain is completely gone, as drying will set the stain. If the stain persists, repeat the treatment or consider using a bleach that is safe for the fabric.
For persistent or dried stains, soaking the garment in a mixture of warm water and detergent for 30 minutes or using a pre-treatment stain remover before laundering can be very effective.