How to Remove Glow Stick Stains From Clothes and Carpet

Ways to safely remove liquid chemical stains from broken and spilled glow sticks

How to Remove Glow Stick Stains

The Spruce / Hilary Allison

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 15 - 30 mins
  • Total Time: 1 - 2 hrs
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0 to $10

Glow sticks are fun, but if one breaks and the liquid inside leaks onto clothes or carpet, the stains from the chemicals can be difficult to wash out. Glow sticks are activated when the thin inner glass capsule bends and snaps to combine the chemicals inside, which include hydrogen peroxide and fluorescent dyes (green, red, or blue), all of which can bleach or stain fabrics. If the entire glow stick breaks, the spilled contents may also contain shards of glass.

Fortunately, it is possible to remove glow stick stains from clothing, carpet, and upholstery. Make sure you know what type of fabric you're dealing with so you know the steps needed to effectively remove the stain.

Stain type Dye-based 
Detergent type Oxygen bleach and heavy-duty detergent
Water temperature  Cold 
Cycle type Varies depending on the type of fabric

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Deep sink, plastic tub, or soaking basin
  • Water faucet

Materials

  • Cold water
  • Oxygen bleach
  • Heavy-duty laundry detergent

Instructions

items to remove glow stick stains

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

How to Remove Glow Stick Stains From Clothes

  1. Flush the Stain With Water

    Flush the stain by holding the fabric under a cold water faucet running at full force. Always flush from the wrong side of the fabric to force the glow stick stain out the face of the fibers, especially if the fabric is plush like fake fur.

    Warning

    Be aware that the inner capsule of the glow stick may leave small glass shards in the fabric, so be careful when handling the piece of clothing.

    flushing the glow stick stain

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  2. Soak the Stain in Oxygen Bleach

    Let the stain soak overnight in a solution of cool water and oxygen bleach (like OxiClean, Nellie's All-Natural Oxygen Brightener, or OXO Brite).

    • Fill a deep sink or plastic tub with cool water and add the amount of oxygen bleach suggested on the package.
    • Submerge the stained fabric completely in the solution. This cleaning solution is safe to use on all washable fabrics, white and colored except for silk, wool, and anything trimmed with leather.
    • If the dye is still visible, mix a fresh solution and repeat the soaking process.

    Warning

    Do not use this cleaning solution of oxygen bleach and water on silk, wool, and anything trimmed with leather.

    soaking the stained garment in oxygen bleach

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  3. Wash as Usual

    Wash the fabric as recommended on the care label using a heavy-duty laundry detergent.

    laundering the garment as usual

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

How to Remove Glow Stick Stains on Carpet or Upholstery

The same cleaning solutions and steps recommended for carpet should be used to clean glow stick stains from upholstery. Take care not to over-wet the fabric with the cleaning solutions because that can cause moisture problems in the cushion filling.

Before cleaning any furniture, always follow the manufacturer's care label on cleaning upholstery. This tag can be found under the sofa cushions or fabric skirt with letter codes that indicate how to clean the furniture. If the upholstery is vintage or silk, blot away the initial moisture, and then contact an upholstery cleaning specialist. Otherwise, follow these general steps:

  • Blot: Immediately blot up as much of the moisture as possible with a paper towel. Work from the outside of the stain toward the center to keep it from spreading and getting larger.
  • Vacuum: Vacuum the stained area to remove any tiny glass shards that were mixed in with the liquid before treating the stain.
  • Mix a cleaning solution: Mix a solution of one teaspoon liquid hand dishwashing detergent, one-fourth cup distilled white vinegar, and one cup of cool water. Dip a soft-bristled brush into the solution and work it into the stained area.
  • Blot again: Blot away the cleaning solution with a dry white paper towel. Dip a clean white cloth into plain cool water and wipe, rinse, and blot the area. Rinse the cloth well as you go, as leaving any residue of the soapy solution in the carpet will attract soil.
  • Air-dry and vacuum: Allow the area to air-dry away from direct sunlight or heat. Vacuum well to lift the carpet fibers.

Additional Tips for Handling Glow Stick Stains

If you try the at-home processes above and still see a stain, check with a professional cleaner to have them try to remove it. If the garment's care label says dry clean only, immediately blot away the stain with a dry white paper towel. Then blot the stain with a white cloth dipped in plain cool water.

Work from the outside edges of the stain toward the center to keep the stain from getting larger. Keep moving to a clean area of the cloth as the dye is transferred. As soon as possible, head to the dry cleaner and point out and identify the stain to your professional cleaner.

If the stain is small and you decide to use a home dry cleaning kit, treat the stain with the provided stain remover before putting the garment in the dryer bag.

FAQ
  • Will glow stick come out of clothes?

    The biggest trick to getting rid of stains from glow sticks on clothing, as well as carpet, and upholstery, is to tackle the spot as soon as possible, or it can become a permanent problem.

  • What is the liquid in glow sticks?

    Most glow sticks contain hydrogen peroxide, phenyl oxalate ester, and a fluorescent dye. The glowing is a result of the chemical reaction that occurs with the hydrogen peroxide that's released when the inner glass tube is snapped.

  • Is it okay to touch glow stick fluid?

    Glow stick fluid is somewhat safe though it may irritate skin, eyes, and mouth. If accidentally ingested, the lips and tongue could glow for a short time but otherwise, you should not be alarmed if you touch glow stick fluid.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Glow Sticks. North Carolina Poison Control.