New research from Ecover reveals that stains on clothing generate an estimated annual replacement bill of £2.6 billion in the UK, with 80% of people attributing stains to summer-related incidents. The study found that many individuals discard or stop wearing items due to stains without attempting removal.
Consumer habits and costs
Almost half of those surveyed have spent over £50 replacing stained clothes in the past year, while nearly a third have thrown away, donated, or stopped wearing six or more stained items. A quarter reported that the most expensive garment lost to a summer stain cost at least £100.
65% of people admitted to discarding an item without trying to remove the stain, and 76% assumed the mark was permanent. Additionally, 85% said they would have kept the clothing if they had known the stain could be removed.
Expert statements
An Ecover spokesperson commented: “Summer stains are often the evidence of good times had. But too often, we treat a stain like a full stop. At Ecover, we hate waste, and that includes clothes leaving wardrobes before they need to. With the right care, many stained items can be treated, washed and worn again.”
“Looking after the clothes you already own is one of the simplest anti-waste habits there is. It saves money, reduces waste and keeps the pieces connected to your favourite memories in your wardrobe for longer,” they added.
Wayne Hemingway, founder of Charity Super.Mkt, noted the impact on reuse: “Stains can be a real barrier to reuse. They do not just affect whether someone wants to keep wearing an item, they can affect whether that piece can be donated, resold or passed on in a way that gives it the best chance of finding a new home.”
“At Charity Super.Mkt, we see the value in clothes that still have life left in them, but condition matters. A small mark can be the difference between something being picked up and loved again, or being left behind. So, before writing something off, it is worth seeing whether the stain can be treated,” Hemingway said.
Four tips to save stained clothes
1. Don’t panic-rub: Aggressive rubbing can push the stain deeper into fabric. Blot or rinse where possible and treat as soon as possible.
2. Pre-treat before washing: Apply stain remover or laundry liquid directly to the mark first, always checking product and garment care labels.
3. Keep heat out: Hot washes and drying heat can set stains like sweat and blood. Wash cooler, ideally at 20°C, which is sufficient for many everyday loads and saves energy. Ensure the mark is gone before air drying naturally.
4. Do the “would I replace this?” test: Before discarding, ask whether you’d replace the item if the stain came out. If yes, it’s worth trying to save it.
