How to Remove Mouthwash Stains

Mouthwash is great for cleaning teeth, but leaves brightly-colored stains on just about everything else. It may seem impossible to remove mouthwash stains, but with the right products and some elbow grease, you can get rid of mouthwash stains and keep your clothing and countertops looking as good as new. These homemade mouthwash stain removers should do the trick.

Laundry Detergent
This method works on both fabric and upholstery to get rid of mouthwash stains. First, blot up as much of the mouthwash as you can with a paper towel or clean, dry towel. Dampen the spot with water and blot with a dry cloth until the color of the mouthwash and most of the moisture is out. Mix a small amount of detergent with water and gently rub onto the remaining stain. Rinse with water and let air dry. For fabric, launder as usual once the stain is gone.

Baking Soda & Vinegar
To remove mouthwash stains from fabrics, make a paste out of baking soda and vinegar. First, blot out any excess mouthwash from the fabric with a clean cloth or paper towel. Then, apply the paste, agitate the fabric with it, and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Brush off the dried paste and wash the garment in the laundry as usual.

Bleach
To get rid of brightly-colored mouthwash stains, bleach may be your only option to fully remove the stain. Make sure you choose a color-safe bleach for any colored fabrics. Blot up any excess mouthwash from the fabric and blot the stain with a mixture of appropriate bleach and water. When the stain has been removed, launder as usual.

Homemade Poultice for Marble
If your mouthwash has left a stain on a marble countertop or vanity, this method will remove the mouthwash stain. Since marble will soak in the stain, and the mouthwash probably corroded the surface, you will also need to polish the marble once the stain is removed. Begin by making a poultice with 12% hydrogen peroxide (the 3% found in drug stores is too weak) and talcum powder by mixing them into a paste with the consistency of peanut butter. The hydrogen peroxide will break up the stain while the talc soaks it up out of the marble. Apply the paste to the stain about ½ inch thick with a ½ inch border around the stain. Cover the area with plastic wrap, seal the edges with masking tape, and let sit for 48 hours. Remove the plastic wrap, and let the poultice sit, uncovered, for another 24 hours until it's dry and hardened. Gently scrape it off with a rubber or wooden spatula and clean with hot water or a marble cleaning spray. Once the stain is gone, polish the surface with a marble polishing cream formulated to remove etch marks.

Sources:
tipking.co.uk
countertopspecialty.com