How to Remove Stains from Liquid Death Tees and Sweatshirts
By Liquid Death | Published: 2026-10-16
Category: Tips & Care
Learn how to safely remove ink, grease, and everyday stains from Liquid Death graphic tees and sweatshirts without damaging the prints. Follow our step-by-step guide for cotton blends.
Quick answer
Act fast: blot the stain, pretreat with a stain remover or dish soap, then wash inside out in cold water and air-dry. Avoid heat until you're sure the stain is gone, because heat can set it permanently.
Why graphic tees and sweatshirts need special stain care
Liquid Death graphic tees and sweatshirts are typically cotton or cotton-blend fabrics with printed artwork. The print sits on top of the fabric, so harsh scrubbing, hot water, or high heat can crack, fade, or peel the design. Stains like ink or grease can also bond to the print itself, making them harder to remove without damaging the graphic.
Unlike plain shirts, you can't treat the stain and the print the same way. You need a method that lifts the stain without scrubbing the print or exposing it to heat. That means cold water, gentle agitation, and air-drying are your defaults.
What you'll need
Gather these before you start: clean white cloths or paper towels, a stain remover or liquid dish soap (clear, dye-free is best), a soft-bristle brush or old toothbrush, and a laundry detergent formulated for cold water. For ink stains, isopropyl alcohol or hand sanitizer can help, but test on an inside hem first. For grease, dish soap is often enough.
How to handle common stains on Liquid Death apparel
Ink stains: Dab, don't rub. Apply isopropyl alcohol to a cloth and blot the stain from the outside in. Rinse with cold water. Repeat until the ink lifts. Grease stains: Apply a drop of dish soap directly to the stain, let it sit for 10 minutes, then gently work it in with your fingers. Rinse with cold water before washing. Sweat and deodorant stains: Pretreat with a mixture of baking soda and water, let it sit for 15 minutes, then wash as usual.
Step-by-step stain removal for Liquid Death tees and sweatshirts
- Blot the stain immediately: Use a clean white cloth or paper towel to blot—never rub—the stain from the outside in. Rubbing pushes the stain deeper into the fabric and can spread it onto the print. Checkpoint: If the stain is dry or set, proceed to pretreat; blotting alone won't lift it.
- Pretreat with a stain remover or dish soap: Apply a small amount of stain remover or clear dish soap directly to the stain. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes. For ink, use isopropyl alcohol on a cloth and blot. For grease, dish soap works best. Mistake to avoid: Don't scrub the print with a brush; use your fingers or a soft cloth.
- Wash inside out in cold water: Turn the garment inside out and wash on a gentle cycle with cold water and a mild detergent. Cold water prevents the stain from setting and protects the print from fading. Checkpoint: If the stain persists after washing, repeat pretreatment before drying.
- Air-dry and inspect: Hang or lay flat to dry. Heat from a dryer can set any remaining stain permanently. Once dry, check the area in good light. If the stain is gone, you're done; if not, repeat the pretreatment and wash steps. Mistake to avoid: Never iron directly over the print; use a pressing cloth if needed.
Liquid Death apparel care notes
- Instant Death Sweatshirt: Instant Death Sweatshirt: style runs big, size down for classic fit. A looser fit means more fabric to treat, but also more room for stains to spread. If you size down, the sweatshirt sits closer to your body and may be less likely to catch spills.
- Deathpool Shirt: Deathpool Shirt: black colorway with striking Deathpool graphic designed by artist Mark Riddick. Dark colors can hide stains, but they also show fading from harsh chemicals. Always test stain removers on an inside seam first.
- Death's A Beach Button-Up: Death's A Beach Button-Up: woven shirt with artwork by Brian Butler, available in Pink/Green. Light-colored woven shirts show stains more readily, so treat spills immediately. The button-up style means you should unbutton before treating to avoid stretching the placket.
