How to Remove Toothpaste Stains From Clothes, Carpets, and Furniture

Treat fast to prevent bleaching action of whitening toothpaste

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 5 - 15 mins
  • Total Time: 10 - 15 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $10

Removing spatters of toothpaste is not as simple as wiping them away with a damp cloth because they reappear. 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.

How to Remove Toothpaste Stains from Clothes and Carpets

The Spruce / Madelyn Goodnight

Some no-nos to avoid: Never try rubbing the stain away. Rubbing only makes it worse by pushing the toothpaste further into the fibers. Also, never put the garment into a clothes dryer until the fabric has been checked to ensure the stain is gone.

Follow these quick and easy steps to eliminate toothpaste stains from clothes, carpet, or upholstered furniture—for good.

Warning

If the toothpaste contains hydrogen peroxide, rinse or wash your garment immediately. Peroxide acts as a bleaching agent and can discolor some articles of clothing.

Stain type Toothpaste
Detergent type Heavy-duty laundry detergent
Water temperature Cold
Cycle type Varies depending on the type of fabric

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

Clothes

  • Dull knife or plastic edge
  • Clean white cloths

Carpet and Upholstery

  • Dull knife or plastic edge
  • Clean white cloths, sponge, or soft-bristled brush

Materials

Clothes

  • Water
  • Liquid laundry detergent

Carpet and Upholstery

  • Water
  • Liquid dishwashing soap

Instructions

materials for toothpaste stain removal
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

How to Remove Toothpaste Stains From Clothes

  1. Lift Off the Solid Residue

    If a blob of toothpaste lands on your clothes, use a dull knife or the edge of a credit card to lift the stain away from the fabric's surface. Do not rub because you will only push the toothpaste deeper into the fibers, making it harder to remove.

    using a dull knife to remove solids
    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley 
  2. Dilute Laundry Detergent

    Mix one teaspoon of liquid laundry detergent in one cup of water. Stir to mix well.

    diluting detergent in water
    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley 
  3. Rub Cleaning Solution Into the Stain

    Dip a clean white cloth in the solution and gently rub it into the stain. Do not over-saturate the fabric. Finish by dipping another clean white cloth in cool water and wiping away any detergent or toothpaste residue.

    person using a damp cloth to wipe away stain remnants
    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley 
  4. Air Dry

    Allow the stain to air dry.

    allowing the garment to air dry after stain removal
    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

How to Remove Toothpaste Stains From Carpet and Upholstery

For the most part, the instructions are the same for cleaning toothpaste from carpet or upholstery; only the detergent is different. A milder soap, like liquid dishwashing detergent, should be sufficient to remove the stain. Upholstery is cleaned the same way as carpet—just take extra care not to saturate the fabric to avoid excess moisture in the cushions.

  1. Scrape Away the Residue

    When the toothpaste blob hits the carpet or bathroom rug, quickly remove it with a dull knife or spoon to prevent the stain from spreading deeper into the fibers.

    Tip

    If you cannot clean it immediately, blot the area with a white cloth or paper towel dipped in plain water. Work from the outside edge to prevent the stain from getting larger. Treat it quickly, especially if the toothpaste contains hydrogen peroxide.

    Toothpaste scooped up with dull knife from gray carpet

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  2. Dilute Dishwashing Liquid

    Mix a solution of two teaspoons of dishwashing liquid and two cups of cool water.

    Dishwashing liquid diluted with water to clean gray carpet

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  3. Blot the Stain With the Solution

    Dip a sponge, white cloth, or soft-bristled brush in the solution. Start at the outside edge of the stain and work the cleaning solution into the stained area. 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.

    Gray carpet blotted with cleaning solution

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  4. Rinse the Area

    Dip a clean white cloth into some plain water to rinse the area. It is essential to rinse away any cleaning solution that can attract soil to the area. Blot until no more soapy residue remains.

    White cloth rinsing toothpaste stain with water

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  5. Air Dry and Vacuum

    Allow the carpet to air dry away from direct sunlight and heat. Vacuum to lift carpet fibers.

    Gray carpet vacuumed with hose attachment

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

Additional Tips for Handling Toothpaste Stains

Toothpaste stains should wash out when laundering the garment. The surfactants and enzymes in your laundry detergent will solve the problem. 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.

For dry-clean-only clothes, carefully remove any large blobs of toothpaste with a dull knife or spoon to prevent the paste from working deeper into the fabric. Do not rub the stain into the fabric. Then, take the item to a professional dry cleaner.

If the toothpaste stain spatters on silk, vintage clothing, or antique upholstery, consult a professional upholstery cleaner to avoid damaging the fabric.

FAQ
  • How to get toothpaste stains out of clothes without washing?

    If you're about to run out the door and just got toothpaste spatter on your shirt, try dabbing two-parts water and one-part vinegar solution on the stain. Blot it dry. Then dab only water on it. Blot it dry again.

  • Are toothpaste stains permanent?

    Most toothpaste stains are not permanent. However, if you let a whitening toothpaste stain with bleaching agents remain on a delicate fabric untreated, you can get a bleach spot on the fabric.

  • What is in toothpaste that stains clothes?

    It depends on the toothpaste, but some contain titanium dioxide, whitening toothpastes have mild bleaching agents like peroxide, and others can have colored dyes that can stain fabric.

  • How to get rid of toothpaste stains using natural ingredients?

    Vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice are natural cleaning agents that can remove stains. To try one, mix it with water, gently dab it on the stain, and rinse off with water. Only use lemon juice on white items since the acid in lemons can bleach an item, resulting in color loss.