When a blob of toothpaste lands in your sink, or worse, your shirt, wiping it away won’t entirely eliminate the mess. This is especially true of toothpaste stains on clothes and other fabrics, like towels and bath rugs, which should be treated as soon as possible to prevent stains from setting in.
Ahead, you’ll find instructions for removing toothpaste stains from clothing and other washable items and for treating toothpaste stains on non-launderable fabrics like carpeting and upholstery. Since blobs of toothpaste or sprays from brushing often find their way onto bathroom surfaces, such as mirrors, faucets, and counters, we’ve also provided tips for cleaning stubborn, dried-on toothpaste off hard surfaces.
How to Remove Toothpaste Stains from Clothes, Towels, and Other Washable Items
1. Remove Solids
Remove the toothpaste with a butter knife, spoon, or flat edge (such as a driver’s license or credit card). Lifting blobs of toothpaste up and away from the fabric prevents smearing, which creates a bigger stain.
If you use whitening toothpaste, it is imperative to work quickly when it lands on colored clothing, towels, carpet, or upholstery. Peroxide and other bleaching agents can cause irreversible color loss in non-white fabrics.
2. Flush with Water
Flush the garment with cool running water. Turn the garment inside out so the water pushes the toothpaste away from the fabric rather than back through it.
3. Apply Stain Pretreatment
Dilute 1 tsp. of liquid laundry detergent or another type of mild soap, such as dish soap, in 1 cup of cool water. Dip a white cloth in the detergent solution and dab it onto the toothpaste stain.
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4. Rinse
Rinse the detergent solution either by flushing the area with cool running water or by rinsing the cloth well and dabbing the fabric to remove soap residue.
5. Air-Dry
Allow the garment to air-dry.
6. Launder as Usual (Optional)
If necessary, launder the item as usual to remove toothpaste or detergent residue.
How to Remove Toothpaste Stains from Carpet and Upholstery
1. Remove Solids
Remove the toothpaste with a butter knife, spoon, or flat edge.
2. Apply Stain Pretreatment
Dilute a teaspoon of liquid laundry detergent or mild soap, such as dish soap, in 1 cup of cool water. Dip a white cloth in the detergent solution and dab it onto the toothpaste stain. Work from the exterior of the stain inward, refreshing the cloth with detergent solution as needed.
3. Rinse
Rinse the area by dabbing the fabric with a cloth dipped in clean water to remove soap residue.
4. Air-Dry and Vacuum
Let the carpet or upholstery air-dry. Once dry, vacuum the area to restore the fabric’s nap, which may be flattened after the stain removal process.
How to Remove Toothpaste Stains from Mirrors
1. Apply Glass Cleaner to Mirror
Apply glass cleaner directly to the mirror. Routine cleaning calls for applying glass cleaner to a cloth, but when toothpaste buildup is present, it is better to spray the mirror with glass cleaner, which helps reconstitute and loosen dried, stuck-on toothpaste from the mirror’s surface. Do not leave glass cleaner on the mirror’s surface for more than 30 seconds, as it can dry, leaving spots and streaks.
2. Squeegee Surface
Allow 30 seconds for the glass cleaner to penetrate the toothpaste, and then use a squeegee to wick away the glass cleaner and toothpaste buildup. Work from the top of the mirror to the bottom, using straight, overlapping lines.
3. Polish with Microfiber Cloth
Use a microfiber cloth to polish the mirror after squeegeeing.
How to Remove Toothpaste Stains from Counters, Faucets, and Sinks
1. Choose the Correct Cleaner
Usually, mild soap, such as dishwashing liquid, and a microfiber cloth are the best choice for cleaning toothpaste off bathroom counters, faucets, and sinks. However, you should check the manufacturer’s instructions to identify the cleaning agents and tools that are recommended and safe for each material type.
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2. Fill Sink with Soap and Water
Fill the sink with a few inches of hot water and a drop or two of dish soap.
3. Scrub Counter, Faucet, and Sink
Dip a microfiber cloth in the soapy water and wipe the counter and faucet, dipping the cloth in the soap solution as needed. Then, submerge the cloth in the water and scrub the sink basin. Allow the counters and faucet to remain wet for at least a minute, which helps soften dried-on toothpaste, making it easier to wipe away.
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4. Wipe Counter and Faucet
Rinse the cloth well with clean water, and wipe the soap, toothpaste, and any other residue from the counter and faucet, rinsing the cloth with clean water as needed. If there are stubborn toothpaste stains, dip the cloth in the soapy water and scrub the surface using firm pressure and a circular motion. Rinse away soap residue.
5. Drain and Wipe Sink
Drain the soap solution and wipe the sink with the cloth. Rinse the cloth and the sink basin well with clean water.
6. Dry and Polish All Surfaces
To prevent water spots from forming, use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to dry and polish the counter, faucet, and sink basin.
How to Prevent Toothpaste Stains
Try these tips to help prevent toothpaste stains from happening in the first place:
- Use less toothpaste, which helps prevent an overly full mouth that can lead to drips, spittle, and other errant bits of toothpaste landing on fabrics and hard surfaces.
- Brush your teeth before you get dressed, especially if you use whitening toothpaste, to prevent toothpaste from getting on your clothing.
- When it’s time to rinse, lean over the sink and spit downward into the basin to keep toothpaste from landing on mirrors, counters, and other surfaces.
- Rinse off whitening toothpaste immediately upon contact with colored fabrics. Whitening toothpastes contain ingredients that can lead to permanent color loss.
- Wipe sinks, faucets, counters, and mirrors daily with a microfiber cloth to keep toothpaste from drying and building up on hard bathroom surfaces.
