Stains on Shabbos

I spilled tumeric tea on an expensive Shabbos outfit that cannot be replaced. Was it ok to put water on it?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

It is strictly forbidden to do any form of laundering to a dirtied garment. It is a sub-category (known as a “Toldah”) of one of the thirty-nine prohibited Shabbos labors. Not only is bleaching, or even just using water to clean a garment forbidden, but it is also often forbidden to remove dirt or otherwise clean a garment even without the use of a liquid.

However, let us address your question where you ask about cleaning a garment with water.

As mentioned, it is strictly prohibited to remove a wet stain from a garment on Shabbos which requires water, soap, or any liquid medium to properly clean it. Even if the stain is so minor that the owner would not hesitate to wear the garment with the stain, it is still forbidden to clean the garment on Shabbos.

However, if a stain would somewhat remain it would be permitted to remove it as long as no brush is used and the stain is not scrubbed. As such, the stain may only be gently removed with a dry cloth.

Based on the above, one may not put water on a turmeric tea stain. But, for example, one would be permitted to wipe off a ketchup stain with a dry cloth as wiping a ketchup stain would not remove the stain completely. Some of the ketchup stain would remain until the garment is properly laundered.

Mishnah Berurah 302:11,36, Biur Halachah (s.v. d’havi).