Orange juice is the ultimate favourite juice for so many people. Whether you juice oranges yourself or you buy them from the market, it is sweet and refreshing. However, orange juice may leave behind unsightly, bright stains that may seem nearly impossible to get rid of.
In fact, the acidic nature of OJ can not only leave behind bright orange spots, but also bleached patches. Once it is exposed to sunlight, it will act as a bleaching agent and cause permanent discolouration to your clothing.

Of course, the stains and the cleaning approach you should use depend on the fabric, as well as the type of juice you spilled. OJ concentrates and orange-flavoured drinks (they most often contain food dyes as well) will leave more serious spots on your fabrics.
Important things to remember are to never use a bar of soap on orange juice stains since it may cause the plant-based spot to become permanent. You should also check the care label of the fabric you are about to clean. Make sure you follow all instructions.
Do not attempt any cleaning if your garment, upholstery or carpet is vintage or silk. It is best to call a professional cleaner to take care of it. You will ensure that no damage is caused to the fabric. If the item’s label says ‘’dry cleaning only’’ bring it to a professional dry cleaner. Avoid using a home dry cleaning kit, unless really necessary.

Cleaning orange juice stains from fabrics – treat the stain as soon as possible for the best results.

Blot – Grab a paper towel or a clean white cloth and blot as much moisture as possible. Do not rub the stain – this may cause it to spread.
Mix a cleaning solution – Grab an oxygen-based bleach and mix a solution by following the instructions on the package. If the garment you are about to clean is synthetic or colourful, it is best to use colour-safe oxy bleach. Completely submerge the garment and let it sit in the solution overnight.
Wash as usual – Once you are done with the soaking process, launder the fabric as usual. Use a high-quality laundry detergent and the hottest water that is suitable for the fabric.
Inspect the fabric – Always check the fabric for any stain residue before tossing it in the dryer. The high heat of the drying cycle can set the stain and cause it to become permanent. If it is hard to tell if the stain remains while the fabric is wet, allow it to air dry, check, and repeat the steps above if needed.

Cleaning orange juice stains from carpets – again, treat the stain as soon as possible.

Blot the stain – Grab a clean dry cloth and blot away the moisture until the carpet is dry to the touch.
Mix a cleaning solution – Mix 2 teaspoons of dishwashing liquid and 2 cups of warm water. Dip a soft cloth or a sponge in the solution, then wring it until it is not dripping and just damp.

Start working the solution in the stained area starting at the outer edge and working your way toward the centre – that way you will prevent the stain from spreading and becoming bigger. Blot the stain with a clean dry cloth to absorb the soapy solution.

Rinse, then air dry – Grab another clean cloth, dip it in plain water, wring it until it is not dripping, and then begin blotting the stained area in order to remove any residue left behind by the cleaning solution. Make sure you get rid of it completely – it may attract soil and grime in the future. Allow the area to air dry – keep it away from direct heat.
Vacuum – Vacuum the whole surface of the carpet to lift the fibres and restore its good look.

You can use the method for cleaning orange juice stains from carpets for upholstery as well. The only thing to keep in mind is that upholstery (of all kinds) should not be oversaturated. Work slowly with a damp sponge or a cloth.

Extra tips on handling OJ stains:

To remove stains from cotton white clothes and linens, use chlorine bleach (follow the product directions carefully).
Alternatively, for objects that are not colourfast, prepare an oxygen-based bleach solution in cool water according to the product guidelines.
Working from the outside edge of the stain into the centre, work the solution into the carpet using a clean cloth (do not over-wet).
Allow at least 30 minutes for the solution to sit on the stain before blotting it away.
Do not allow the stain to sit on for too long – this may cause it to set deeper in the fabric fibres and make it hard to remove or even permanent (especially if the juice contains food dyes).