Did you recently reach for your hand sanitizer and accidentally stain your clothes? Don’t worry; it’s not the end of the world—it can actually be pretty easy to get hand sanitizer stains out of clothing! This blog post will provide step-by-step instructions on how to clean up spilled hand sanitizer and remove any pesky, unsightly stains that might remain.
Read on how to get hand sanitizer out of clothes for restoring garments soiled by this germ-fighting product. Let’s start with some important tips before diving into our tried-and-true methods!
Will Rubbing Alcohol Damage Clothes?
Rubbing alcohol can potentially damage clothes, depending on the type of material and the concentration of rubbing alcohol used. Some materials are more resistant to rubbing alcohol than others, such as polyester or synthetic blends, while natural fibers like wool or cotton are more susceptible to damage.
If you have spilled rubbing alcohol on your clothing, it is important to take steps to clean it up quickly. It is best to begin by immediately blotting the area with a cloth or paper towel and then running cold water through the backside of the stain. This can help prevent rubbing alcohol from seeping further into the fabric.
If possible, make sure that you pretest any cleaning solution or household product on an inconspicuous area of the garment before using it to confirm that it does not further damage the fabric. Some products may be too harsh or could cause the stain to become permanent.
If you have accidentally spilled rubbing alcohol on your clothing and have cleaned up as much as possible, one way to try and remove any remaining traces is by soaking in a mixture of detergent and cold water for at least half an hour. If this doesn’t work, then professional dry cleaning may be necessary to prevent further damage.
Ultimately, it is important to take caution when handling rubbing alcohol around fabrics and other materials that are prone to staining or discoloration. Taking the proper steps beforehand can help protect your clothes from damage.
8 Methods How to Get Hand Sanitizer Out of Clothes
1. Soak in Vinegar and Water
One way to remove hand sanitizer from clothing is to soak the affected area in a mixture of vinegar and water. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that can help to break down the alcohol in hand sanitizer, making it easier to remove from fabric.
To use this method, mix together equal parts vinegar and water in a bowl. Submerge the affected area of the clothing in the mixture and let soak for 30 minutes. Afterward, wash the clothing as usual. If the hand sanitizer stain still remains, repeat the process.
2. Use Rubbing Alcohol
Another way to remove hand sanitizer from clothing is to use rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is also effective at breaking down the alcohol in hand sanitizer, making it easier to remove from fabric. To use this method, pour some rubbing alcohol onto a clean cloth and dab it onto the affected area of the clothing. Let the rubbing alcohol sit on the stain for a few minutes before washing the clothing as usual.
For colored clothing, it is important to make sure the rubbing alcohol does not discolor the fabric. If you are worried about this, spot-test the rubbing alcohol on a small, inconspicuous area of the garment before applying it to the affected area. It is also important not to use too much-rubbing alcohol and to dab the area gently so as not to damage the fabric.
After allowing the rubbing alcohol to soak into the fabric, launder the clothing as usual. The rubbing alcohol should help break down the hand sanitizer, allowing it to be removed from the fabric with the regular laundry cycle.
3. Use Laundry Detergent
If vinegar or rubbing alcohol doesn’t work, you can try using laundry detergent. Laundry detergent is designed to break down tough stains, so it can be effective at removing hand sanitizer from clothing. To use this method, wet the affected area of the clothing and apply a small amount of laundry detergent directly to the stain.
Rub the detergent into the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before washing the clothing as usual. For stubborn stains, you may want to use an upholstery brush or other soft-bristled scrub brush. Brush the stain gently in circular motions until it’s gone. Then, wash the clothing as usual and check for any lingering stains before drying. If there is still a stain, repeat the process until it’s gone.
4. Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is another household item that can be used to remove hand sanitizer from clothing. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can help to loosen and lift stains from fabric. To use this method, make a paste out of baking soda and water and apply it directly to the affected area of the clothing.
Rub the paste into the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes before washing the clothing as usual. If any stain remains, repeat the process. Although baking soda is a mild abrasive, it is still important to be gentle when rubbing the paste into the fabric to avoid further damage.
5. Use Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is another household item that can be used to remove hand sanitizer from clothing. Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent that can help to break down stains on the fabric. To use this method, pour hydrogen peroxide onto a clean cloth and dab it onto the affected area of the clothing.
Let the hydrogen peroxide sit on the stain for a few minutes before washing the clothing as usual. This method is safe for most fabrics, but it is important to test the hydrogen peroxide on a small, inconspicuous area before using it on the entire garment. However, it is not recommended for delicate fabrics such as silk. Make sure to check the care labels on your garments before attempting this method.
6. Use Dish Soap
Dish soap is another effective way to remove hand sanitizer from clothing. Dish soap is designed to break down grease and other oils, so it can be used to help lift the alcohol in hand sanitizer from fabric. To use this method, wet the affected area of the clothing and apply a small amount of dish soap directly to the stain.
Rub the soap into the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before washing the clothing as usual. Although this method may not be as effective as rubbing alcohol, it is safe to use on a variety of fabrics. Try to use gentler dish soap, such as one designed for babies or sensitive skin, to prevent further damage to the fabric.
7. Use Alcohol-Based Mouthwash
Alcohol-based mouthwash is also effective at removing hand sanitizer from clothing. The alcohol in mouthwash can help to break down the alcohol in hand sanitizer, making it easier to remove from fabric. To use this method, pour some mouthwash onto a clean cloth and dab it onto the affected area of the clothing.
Let the mouthwash sit on the stain for a few minutes before washing the clothing as usual. Make sure to read the labels of the mouthwash and follow all instructions before using it to treat hand sanitizer stains.
8. Use Baby Wipes
Baby wipes are another effective way to remove hand sanitizer from clothing. Baby wipes contain mild cleansers and moisturizers that can help to break down the alcohol in hand sanitizer, making it easier to remove from fabric. To use this method, take a baby wipe and dab it onto the affected area of the clothing.
Rub the baby wipe into the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before washing the clothing as usual. However, this method should only be used on light-colored, delicate fabrics as baby wipes may discolor darker fabrics or cause damage to the fabric.
Remember to always test any of these cleaning methods on a small, inconspicuous area of fabric first in order to make sure that they won’t damage the fabric. After using any of these methods, it’s important to launder the clothing as usual after removing the stain. Following these steps should help you get hand sanitizer out of clothes effectively and safely.
Conclusion
If you find yourself with hand sanitizer on your clothing, don’t panic. There are a few easy steps you can take to get the stain out. First, blot the area with a clean cloth to remove as much of the product as possible. Then, pretreat the stain with laundry detergent before washing it in cold water. If the stain persists, you may need to treat it with vinegar or rubbing alcohol.
With a little elbow grease, you should be able to get that pesky hand sanitizer stain out in no time! Thanks for reading our blog post on how to get hand sanitizer out of clothes! We hope you found it helpful and informative.
