Most liquid medicines are alcohol-based and should be treated as soon as possible to remove it.

Be aware there is a different method to follow if the stain is fromliquid capsules like fish oil.

Use the following steps to remove alcohol-based liquid medicine stains from clothing, carpet, and upholstery.

How to Remove Liquid Medicine Stains From Clothes

The Spruce / Madelyn Goodnight

you could use the same technique whether the stain is fresh or several hours old.

Flush from the back of the fabric outward to avoid pushing it deeper into the fibers.

Mix a Pre-Treatment Solution

Mix 1 tablespoon ofdistilled white vinegarwith 2/3 cup of isopropyl or rubbing alcohol.

collage of two Gain Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap Plus Aroma Boost on a light tan background

The Spruce / Fiona Campbell

The high heat of the dryer can set the stain and make it almost impossible to remove.

Take special care not to saturate the fabric to prevent excessive moisture in cushions.

If the upholstery is vintage or silk, consult an upholstery cleaning professional.

Materials needed to remove liquid medicine stains from clothing and carpet

The Spruce / Fiona Campbell

Before cleaning any furniture, always follow the manufacturer’scare labelon cleaning upholstery.

Blot the Stain

Blot the stain with a plain white paper towel as soon as possible.

Work from the outside edges of the stain toward the center to prevent making the stain larger.

rinsing the garment with medicine stain in the sink

The Spruce / Fiona Campbell

Blot dry with white paper towels or another clean white cloth.

Tips

Rinse well, as leaving any soapy residue on the carpet will actually attract more soil.

Be aware that this process can remove the color from darker-colored carpets.

mixing a solution of vinegar and rubbing alcohol

The Spruce / Fiona Campbell

As soon as possible, head to thedry cleanerand point out and identify the stain to your professional cleaner.

Always contact a professional cleaner for any silk or vintage fabrics that get stained.

They can also handle large, stubborn stains.

person dabbing the alcohol and vinegar solution onto the medicine stain

The Spruce / Fiona Campbell

confirm to choose a reputable professional to clean your carpet.

Apply the solution to the stain, then air dry and vacuum.

Remove medicine stains on clothes by pretreating with vinegar and rubbing alcohol before soaking in oxygen-based bleach.

person rinsing the garment under the faucet

The Spruce / Fiona Campbell

Most stains are much harder to remove after an item has been washed and dried in a machine dryer.

Always be mindful of water temperature, as warm or hot water can set many stains permanently.

Vinegar is a natural, but powerful stain remover on many different types of fabrics.

a garment submerged in a bowl

The Spruce / Fiona Campbell

Checking the stained area

The Spruce / Almar Creative

Blotting a liquid medicine stain on carpet

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Mixing a cleaning solution to remove liquid medicine stains

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Applying the cleaning solution to the stain

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Rinsing the stained area with water

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Vacuuming the carpet after air drying

The Spruce / Ana Cadena