How to Get Toothpaste Out of a Shirt, According to a Laundry Expert

We've all been there: You're pressed for time and the only thing that's between you and the outside world is your toothbrush. But you're fully dressed—and just as you start counting to 60, a glob of toothpaste somehow lands in the center of your blouse. If you're in a hurry, your first thought is probably to change, but it shouldn't be—not if you want to save the garment from a permanent stain. We talked with a laundry expert on the best ways to get toothpaste stains out of a shirt. T

Don't Rub the Stain

Smearing will only push the stuff farther into the fabric's fibers. If it's a glob, "use the edge of a spoon to lift off the majority," says Patric Richardson, founder of the website and online shop the Laundry Evangelist. "The faster you do that, the smaller the stain is going to be to begin with."

Blot and Rinse the Stain

Then, to keep it from staining (the titanium dioxide in many brands can cause stubborn spots), dab it with a wet cloth, add a dot of mild hand soap to the cloth, and dab again before flushing the area with water, says Richardson. If it's a small area, leave it to air-dry and be on your way.

If You Use a Whitening Toothpaste, Act Fast

One caveat: If you use a whitening paste, act swiftly—it may contain hydrogen peroxide, which can bleach clothing if it sits long enough. To clear any last remnants on a machine-washable item, run it through a cycle with an enzyme-based detergent.

Don't Rely on Dry Cleaners

You can take the stained garment to the dry cleaners, says Richardson, but taking action ahead of time will give your garment the best possible chance. "You're still going to want to blot that stain out first before you go," he says, especially if the toothpaste formula contains hydrogen peroxide.

Hand Wash Finer Fabrics

Got toothpaste on your favorite silk blouse? Richardson recommends hand-washing the garment—as in, fully submerge it in water: "Silk spots, so even when you blot it, you're going to be able to tell. I'd recommend a full hand wash." As for delicate wool sweaters? "I might just spot it and not wash the whole thing," he says.

How to Get Charcoal Toothpaste Off Clothes

Charcoal toothpaste can leave black or gray stains on clothes (and everywhere else!). To remove it safely from your garments, don't wipe it out. Instead, act fast to spot-treat it. Use the blotting method described above: dab it with a wet cloth, add a dot of mild hand soap or laundry detergent to the cloth, and dab again before rinsing with water and running through a normal wash cycle.