matcha, Aperol, and Bubble Tea: Britain’s Newest Stain Challenges

Curry sauce, egg yolk, and red wine once plagued Britain’s clothes, but laundry detergents are now being reformulated to tackle stains from matcha lattes, Aperol spritzes, and bubble tea – a sign of changing times.

Matcha has been named “stain of the year” according to Unilever’s inaugural “stains index,” which identifies emerging stains based on evolving lifestyles and culture. It topped the list, reflecting a cultural shift and Gen Z’s preferences for matcha coffees and boba teas.

Donna Macnab, Unilever’s director of laundry research and progress, notes that the study of stains offers an “interesting reflection on our lifestyles and routines.”

Highly colored pigments, like chlorophyll in matcha, penetrate fabric fibers, making these stains particularly tough to remove. Washing powder advertisements…