Some toothpastes have whiteners and dyes that can cause permanent bleaching or discoloration if you don’t work quickly.
The best cleaning solution is laundry detergent for clothes and a mild dish soap for carpet and upholstery.
The Spruce / Madelyn Goodnight
Some no-nos to avoid: Never try rubbing the stain away.
The Spruce / Madelyn Goodnight
Rubbing only makes it worse by pushing the toothpaste further into the fibers.
Warning
If the toothpaste containshydrogen peroxide, rinse or wash your garment immediately.
Peroxide acts as a bleaching agent and can discolor some articles of clothing.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
Dilute Laundry Detergent
Mix one teaspoon of liquid laundry detergent in one cup of water.
Stir to mix well.
Do not over-saturate the fabric.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
Finish by dipping another clean white cloth in cool water and wiping away any detergent or toothpaste residue.
Air Dry
Allow the stain to air dry.
A milder soap, like liquid dishwashing detergent, should be sufficient to remove the stain.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
Work from the outside edge to prevent the stain from getting larger.
Treat it quickly, especially if the toothpaste contains hydrogen peroxide.
Start at the outside edge of the stain and work the cleaning solution into the stained area.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
Blot with a clean white cloth or paper towel to remove the stain from the carpet.
Keep moving to a clean, dry area of the cloth until no more stain is transferred.
Rinse the Area
Dip a clean white cloth into some plain water to rinse the area.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
It is essential to rinse away any cleaning solution that can attract soil to the area.
Blot until no more soapy residue remains.
Air Dry and Vacuum
Allow the carpet to air dry away from direct sunlight and heat.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
Vacuum to lift carpet fibers.
Additional Tips for Handling Toothpaste Stains
Toothpastestainsshould wash out when laundering the garment.
The surfactants and enzymes in yourlaundry detergentwill solve the problem.
The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo
Wash as usual, following the care guidelines for the garment.
Most toothpaste stains will come out on the first attempt.
If the stain persists for any reason, repeat the steps as necessary.
The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo
Do not rub the stain into the fabric.
Then, take the item to a professional dry cleaner.
Then dab only water on it.
The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo
Blot it dry again.
Most toothpaste stains are not permanent.
Vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice are natural cleaning agents that can remove stains.
The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo
The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo
