Muddy washable clothing should be pre-treated and washed as soon as possible. For spatters, choose one of the following three solutions to pre-treat the fabric:

 

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• About three drops of liquid dishwashing detergent mixed into one-half cup (120 ml) of warm water.
• A teaspoon (5 ml) of liquid or powdered laundry detergent mixed with water as above.
• A commercial laundry pre-treater such as Shout or Biz.

Spread out the garment on a flat surface. Use enough liquid so that the pre-treatment solution can work for 15 to 20 minutes without drying. Pat stains lightly with the back of a spoon to work the solution into the fibers. Wash immediately in the warmest water suitable for the garment.

What if the clothing is saturated in mud? (Think football or rugby players just back from a game) Your best bet is to mix 1 ounce (30 ml) of liquid or powdered laundry detergent into a bucket containing 2 to 3 gallons (7.5 – 11.4 l) of warm water, immerse the garments, and wait several hours. When finished soaking, remove the garments, squeeze out (don’t wring) excess water and detergent, and wash immediately as above. Discard the bucket of muddy solution down the drain or onto the lawn– don’t put it into the washing machine.

Dry-clean-only garments should be taken to a professional or treated with appropriate spot removers such as K2r or Carbona. Read and follow all product label directions carefully. Place clean, white cloths on both sides of the spot and blot. Such spot removers are flammable solvents, so wear protective gloves and use in a well-ventilated area.

To remove mud from carpets, it’s best to allow water in the mud to evaporate naturally. Limit foot traffic in the area as the mud dries. When dry, it’s just plain dirt, so scrape it away with a dull tool (such as the back edge of a plastic knife), then vacuum. If any spots remain, blot with a solution of 2 ounces (60 ml) of cool water and a drop of liquid dishwashing detergent on a clean cloth. Rinse with a second cloth moistened with clean water, then use a third cloth to dry the spot. Don’t use too much dish soap, since soap residue will attract dirt in the future. Also, don’t use laundry detergent, whose ingredients can bleach carpet dyes and leave a blotchy appearance.

 

 

Reference:

 

Jeff Bredenberg, editor, in Clean It Fast, Clean It Right: The Ultimate Guide to Making Everything You Own Sparkle & Shine.