How to Get Toothpaste out of Clothes of Any Kind

“The First Thing You’ll Want to Do Is Scrape Away Any Excess Toothpaste Left on the Clothing, ” Advises Patric Richardson, “The Laundry Evangelist” and Host of the Laundry Guy on Discovery. Scraping Away Any Extra Leftover Paste Will Prevent It from Getting Ground into Your Clothing Once You Begin Cleaning the Mark Away. “But Don’t Rub Hard at the Material, You’ll Only Embed the Paste into the Fabric More, ” He Says. Once You’ve Got That Done, Move on to Cleaning.

How to Get Toothpaste out of Tightly Woven Fabrics

Use a Laundry Bar. Typically Found in the Laundry Aisle with Other Cleaners, a Laundry Bar Is Just What It Sounds Like — a Bar of Soap That Can Be Used on Your Laundry. “This and a Soft Brush Will Remove Toothpaste Most of the Time, ” Says Richardson, “But It Can Only Be Used on Tightly Woven Fabrics (Think Cotton, Poplin and Denim) That Are Safe to Brush or Scrub at Just a Bit. ” After Removing the Excess Paste or Gel, Moisten a Soft Brush (A Toothbrush Will Work), Brush It Across the Laundry Bar, and Use It to Gently Scrub at the Toothpaste Mark.

Out of Large-Nap Clothes Like Sweaters: Hot Water

Use Hot Water. for Both Gel Toothpaste Stains or Large Nap Clothing That Can’t Be Scrubbed — Think Sweaters! — Hot Water Works Well for Getting out Toothpaste Stains, Says Richardson. Stretch the Article of Clothing over a Bowl, and Pour Very Hot Tap Water Through the Stain and into the Bowl. “The Force and Heat of the Running Water Will Dissolve the Gel Paste Away, ” He Says, “But Make Sure to Use the Hottest Tap Water You Can Get, Considerably Hotter Than Bath Water. ” You Won’t Even Have to Launder the Clothing Afterward, He Notes, Unless You Want to Get Rid of That Minty Fresh Smell.

How to Get Toothpaste out of Clothes That Are White

Vinegar Is Another Option for Removing Toothpaste Stains on Clothing — but It Should Only Be Used on Whites, Says 40-Year Dry Cleaning Veteran Ben Combs, Owner of Judi’s Cleaners in Sacramento, California. “While the Acid in Vinegar Can Break Down the Toothpaste Quickly, If There Is a Bleaching Agent in the Toothpaste, It Could React with the Acid in the Vinegar, ” He Notes. This Won’t Hurt Your Whites, but It Could Cause Any Other Colors to Fade. Start by Diluting One Part Vinegar in Two Parts Water. Then Dip a White or Light-Colored Cloth in the Mixture and Dab at the Mark Until It’s Lifted. Once You’re Sure It’s Gone, Rinse the Item with Cool Water to Remove Any Excess Vinegar.

How to Get Stubborn Toothpaste Stains out of Clothes

Good Old Laundry Detergent or Even Dish Soap Can Also Save the Day. Simply Pour Just Enough to Cover the Stain, and Let It Sit for a Bit. Then, Use a Cloth Dampened with Warm Water to Blot at the Stain Until It Lifts. This Method Works Great on Stubborn Toothpaste Stains. Because Both Laundry and Dish Soap Contain Surfactants That Are Meant to Break Down Tough Grease and Grime, Water Soluble Toothpaste Typically Dissolves Easily with the Combination of Either Detergent and Warm Water.

How to Get Toothpaste out of Clothes: Laundry Pros' Tips

By Maya Lin-Takahashi

• Oct 9, 2026 • 8 min read

How to Get Toothpaste out of Clothes: Laundry Pros' Tips

Direct Answer • Key Takeaway

We’ve All Been There. You’re Rushing to Get Ready for Work or an Appointment, Look Down and Realize You’ve Got a Glob of Toothpaste on Your Favorite Blouse. Unfortunately, You Can’t Just Wipe It Away with a Damp Cloth Because Toothpaste Tends to Reappear Once the Fabric Is Dry Unless It’s Cleaned Properly. but While You May Not Be Able to Wear Your Shirt That Day, the Good News Is You Can Easily Get the Toothpaste Mark out for Good — with Just a Kitchen Spoon and Some Basic Household Ingredients. Act Quickly, Though, Because Many Toothpastes Contain Whitening Agents That Can Ruin Your Clothing. Keep Scrolling to Learn How to Get Toothpaste out of Clothes, Fast!

Maya Lin-Takahashi

Consumer Tech & Gadget Reviewer

Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.

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