How to Remove Toothpaste Stains

Whether you had a mishap brushing your teeth, the kids decided to overload their toothbrushes or a little "helper" used your good hand towel to wipe up a toothpaste spill, toothpaste stains can be difficult to remove. The good news is that you can get rid of toothpaste stains for the most part by using the right ingredients and a little elbow grease. These homemade toothpaste stain removers will help you keep your clothes and other fabrics looking as good as new, but keep a few things in mind when you remove toothpaste stains:

Toothpastes containing dyes such as blue or green gel should be handled with care. Using gel soaps or detergents with dyes could react with the toothpaste dye and make the stain worse.

Toothpastes with bleaching agents may bleach your clothes. This is the one instance where you will probably be able to remove the stain, but a bleach spot will remain. Look carefully at the ingredients in your toothpaste to avoid this type of mishap.

Water
If you have a more natural toothpaste, water may be the only ingredient you need to remove toothpaste stains. Simply douse the stain with warm water and blot to get the stain out. Continue until all residue is gone, and then launder as usual. With this method, you will be able to tell pretty quickly whether or not water alone will get rid of toothpaste stains. If not, use one of these toothpaste stain removers below.

Dishwashing Liquid
Mix a few drops of clear, non-bleach dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water and apply to the stain. Let the stained fabric soak in this solution for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse it with warm water, several times if needed, to remove the residue. When the paste is removed, launder as usual.

Note: It is important to only use clear liquid, as any dyes may mix with the dye in your toothpaste and make the stain worse. This means you shouldn't use any laundry detergents with dye, either. Also, never use dishwasher detergent, as this contains bleaching agents that can ruin your clothes.

White Vinegar
Mix 1 part white vinegar with 2 parts water to make a solution. Apply it to the stain and let it sit for about one minute. Blot the stain with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel until the stain residue comes out. Rinse and launder as usual.

Ammonia
Mix 2 tablespoons of household ammonia with 1 cup of water to make a solution. Apply it to the stain for about one minute, then blot the stain with a clean, dry cloth or a paper towel until the stain residue is removed. Rinse and launder as usual.

Commercial Stain Remover
If you have a harsh stain and the above products aren't doing the trick, try a household stain remover, either in a spray or stick form. Make sure they're clear so that any dyes don't react with the dye in the toothpaste. Apply the stain remover liberally to the stain and let sit per the manufacturer's instructions. If the stain is particularly harsh, let it sit overnight. Launder as usual, but make sure the stain is completely removed before putting the garment in the dryer, as drying the stain will cause it to set.

Sources:
answers.yahoo.com
goodhousekeeping.com
ehow.com
howtocleanstuff.net