How to Get Toothpaste Stains Out of Shirts & Other Garments

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Plus, learn whether toothpaste stains are permanent
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We’ve all been there. You’re brushing your teeth, and a glop of toothpaste falls on your shirt. Luckily, most toothpaste stains are easily removed as long as you act fast. In this article, we’ll explain how to get toothpaste out of clothes by spot cleaning, pretreating, and washing the garment as usual. We’ll also provide other stain removal methods and explain whether or not toothpaste stains are permanent , with cleaning tips from house cleaning professional Susan Stocker and dry cleaner and laundry specialist Ayad Mirjan.

How to Get Toothpaste Out of a Shirt

  1. Scrape off as much toothpaste as possible using a spoon or a dull knife.
  2. Blot the stain with water, adding a few drops of laundry detergent for extra cleaning power.
  3. Wash the stained garment as you normally would.
  4. Make sure the stain is gone, and allow the garment to air dry.
  5. Repeat the process if the stain remains.
Section 1 of 3:

The Best Way to Get Toothpaste Out of Clothes

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  1. If a blob of toothpaste lands on your shirt, use a spoon or a dull knife to scoop up as much as possible. If the stain has already dried, scrape the fabric gently to remove the excess. Don’t scrape too hard, or you may tear or damage the fabric. The sooner you remove the toothpaste, the easier it will be to remove the stain. [1]
    • If you’re a child, only use a knife with adult supervision.
    • Don’t rub the toothpaste too hard or you may embed it more deeply into the fabric.
    • If the toothpaste sits on the clothing for too long, it could fade or discolor the fabric. This is especially true for whitening or charcoal toothpastes.
  2. Many stain removal methods involve water, so make sure your garment can get wet. If the item is dry clean only, do not attempt to wash it yourself. Instead, take it to a dry cleaner as soon as possible.
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  3. Moisten a clean, white cloth with water and gently blot—don’t rub—the toothpaste stain to loosen it. In some cases, water alone will be enough to pretreat the stain, but if you need a bit more cleaning power, mix in a few drops of laundry detergent. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, then rinse with clean water. [2]
    • If the stain remains, soak the garment in cold water and gently rub the stain with your fingers to loosen it.
    • If it is safe to use bleach on your garment, another option is to mix ¼ cup (59 ml) of bleach with ¾ cup (177 ml) of water. Apply the solution to the stain, then immediately machine wash the item.
    • Always use a white cloth to remove stains. Colored cloths may transfer colors to your garment, leaving you with a bigger mess than what you started with!
    • If you’re dealing with more delicate fabrics, like silk , blotting will likely leave stains behind, so skip this step and hand wash the item.
  4. If your garment is machine washable, toss it in the wash using your regular detergent, water temperature, and wash cycle. If your garment is white, consider adding a bit of bleach to the cycle for extra stain-removing power. [3]
    • If you only used water when blotting the stain, consider using a pre-wash stain remover before laundering the item.
    • If your garment isn’t machine washable, hand wash it or use your normal cleaning method.
    • If you’re dealing with fabrics like wool, stick with spot cleaning to avoid damaging the fabric.
    • It’s okay to wash toothpaste-stained clothes with the rest of your laundry. Stocker reminds us, “Darks go together, whites go alone, [and] light colors go together.”
  5. 5
    Check the stain and dry the garment. Once your garment is clean, inspect it carefully to make sure the stain has been removed. If any remains, repeat the cleaning process until it’s gone. Otherwise, hang the item up or lay it flat to air dry. Avoid using the dryer unless you’re 100% certain the stain is gone, as heat will set it and make it harder to remove. [4]
    • If you want to dry your clothes quickly without a dryer, Mirjan says, “Hang your clothes to dry—if possible, outdoors. Be sure that the clothing goes through a complete spin cycle so the excess water can spin out.”
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Section 2 of 3:

Other Ways to Remove Toothpaste Stains

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  1. If you don’t have access to laundry detergent, dish soap is an excellent alternative. Scrape off as much toothpaste as possible using a spoon or a dull knife. Mix a small amount of dish soap with warm water, and use a cloth or a clean toothbrush to work the mixture into the stain. Let the soap sit for about 10 minutes, rinse the stain with clean water, then wash the garment as usual. [5]
    • In general, use a teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid and a cup of water.
    • Note: Dish soap is generally safe to use on fabrics but can sometimes discolor them if not rinsed out completely.
  2. If you prefer using natural cleaning solutions, mix 1 part white vinegar with 2 parts water. Gently dab the solution onto the stain and let it sit for about 1 minute. Rinse the garment with clean water, then launder as usual. [6]
    • Alternatively, add a cup of white vinegar to your wash cycle. This will also help remove odors from your laundry.
    • If you’ve already applied detergent to your clothes, don’t add vinegar. Stocker explains, “If you are using detergent, only use the vinegar in the rinse cycle after the detergent is out. You’ll get oily clothes otherwise.”
    • Note: Always dilute white vinegar with water before using it on clothes to avoid bleaching or other damage.
  3. 3
    Apply hydrogen peroxide to set-in stains. If you were unable to remove the toothpaste stain immediately, it may require a stronger stain remover, like hydrogen peroxide. Use a dropper or a syringe to precisely apply a few drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide to the stain. Let the peroxide sit for a few minutes to break down the residue, then use a microfiber cloth to dab the area and lift the peroxide and the stain. Rinse the area with clean water, repeat if necessary, then wash the garment as usual. [7]
    • Note: Hydrogen peroxide can stain or bleach some fabrics, so test it in an inconspicuous area first.
  4. Though it may sound strange, fresh lemon juice is a great stain remover because its citric acid acts as a natural bleaching agent. Cut a lemon in half, and rub the pulp side on the stain for about one minute. Then, rinse the area with cold water and wash the garment as usual. [8]
    • Or, mix freshly squeezed lemons with baking soda until it forms a paste (about 1 tsp of baking soda and 2 tsp of lemon juice). Apply the mixture to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse. Stocker adds that it’s a “myth” that baking soda ruins clothes. She explains, “Baking soda brightens clothes and also removes odors.”
    • If the stain is dry and stubborn, rub the area with lemon, then top it off with some salt. Rub the material together so the salt gets into the fibers to further work out the stain. Rinse with cool water once the stain is gone.
    • Note: Because lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent, it could discolor some fabrics, especially if they’re colored. For the best results, use on white clothes and test the juice in an inconspicuous area first.
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Section 3 of 3:

Are toothpaste stains permanent?

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  1. Toothpaste stains are not usually permanent. In most cases, toothpaste stains will come out of clothes when you blot them with water, then launder the garment as usual. However, it’s important to act quickly and know your toothpaste’s ingredients. Some contain whiteners or dyes that can cause permanent discoloration or bleaching if you don’t address the stain immediately. [9]
    • It’s important to treat all toothpaste stains as soon as possible, but especially if you use whitening or charcoal toothpaste. Whitening toothpaste often contains hydrogen peroxide and may bleach clothing if it isn’t removed quickly. Charcoal toothpaste , on the other hand, may leave behind black and gray stains.

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  • Question
    How can I get toothpaste off a shirt if I am in a hurry and don't have time to wash it?
    Community Answer
    Try a baby wipe if you have one. A paper towel and some soapy water might work too.
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    Not Helpful 11 Helpful 19
  • Question
    Can you use the same methods to get toothpaste off upholstery?
    Community Answer
    Generally, yes. You can try scraping it off, and then using the blotting method. Try mixing one tablespoon of dish washing liquid with two cups of cool water. This should work on carpet too.
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    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 7
  • Question
    What if I wash the shirt in a washing machine and the stain is still there? Can I still remove it?
    Community Answer
    Yes. However, do NOT put it in the dryer. The heat will cause the stain to "bake" into the shirt, and it's extremely difficult to get it out afterwards.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry/how-to-remove-toothpaste-stains.html
      2. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry/how-to-remove-toothpaste-stains.html
      3. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry/how-to-remove-toothpaste-stains.html
      4. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry/how-to-remove-toothpaste-stains.html
      5. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/how-to-remove-toothpaste-stains-8781474
      6. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry/how-to-remove-toothpaste-stains.html
      7. ↑ https://www.lovetoknow.com/home/cleaning/how-remove-toothpaste-stains
      8. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/cleaning/what-to-clean-and-what-not-to-clean-with-lemon-a1493706190/
      9. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/house-and-home/household-advice/a681124/how-to-remove-toothpaste-stains/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you get toothpaste on your clothes, use a small knife to scrape as much as you can off of the fabric. Then, check the clothing tag to make sure water will not damage the item. If water is alright, try moistening a soft cloth with warm water and a few drops of laundry detergent and gently blotting the area. If the stain remains, wash the clothing in the laundry machine. For items that can't be washed, try rubbing half a lemon on the affected area for 1 minutes to remove the stain. If you want to learn how to use olive oil or baking soda to get rid of toothpaste, keep reading the article!

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