How To Get Aquaphor Out Of Clothes

How to Get Aquaphor Out of Clothes [Super Easy Methods]

Aquaphor comes in handy when you have skin irritation, but it can be annoying when it gets in your clothes. It leaves behind an oily residue that you can most easily remove with corn starch and stain-removing enzymes such as lipase. Whether it be applying cleaning products or scrubbing the stain, follow along as we see how you can remove Aquaphor stains from your clothes.

Aquaphor and other health aid ointments help heal the skin and reduce pain or irritation. Unfortunately, they can quickly leave oily stains on clothes and household linens, such as sheets and towels. Although oil-based stains are among the hardest to deal with, they can be eliminated. So, how exactly do you get Aquaphor out of your clothing?

To get Aquaphor out of your clothes, you will want to start by scraping off the extra bits of ointment. Immediately after, you need to dust the affected area with a powder-based substance such as corn starch. Then, you will need to treat the garment with heavy-duty stain remover. Toss your clothes into the wash as usual, and the ointment should come out with no problem.

In this article, we will teach you how to remove Aquaphor out of your clothing. However, you can use these methods for other ointment-based products such as Vicks, Neosporin, VapoRub, and more. Also, we've included instructions for getting the ointment out of furniture and carpet just in case you discover any spots you transferred to. It's essential to act immediately to prevent any stains.

Table of Contents

First Step To Get Aquaphor Out Of Clothing
How To Remove Aquaphor Or Other Ointment Stains From Clothes
- Step 1: Remove The Residue
- Step 2: Powder The Stain
- Step 3: Treat With Stain Remover Or Heavy-Duty Laundry Detergent
- Step 4: Wash As Usual
What If The Aquaphor Has Color In It?
How To Remove Aquaphor And Ointment Stains From Carpet And Upholstery
- Instructions
Related Questions
- - Does Aquaphor stain clothes?
  - How can I keep Aquaphor from getting on my clothes?
  - Should I wash the ointment off with hot water?
Wrapping It Up
- Related Guides

First Step To Get Aquaphor Out Of Clothing

Before applying any of the following methods, you first need to scrape off any excess globs from the article of clothing. You can use a knife's dull blade, a spoon, or a credit card-sized piece of plastic. However, make sure that you do not rub the ointment into the surface.

Next, use a piece of paper towel to blot the area and remove what you can. Remember that the key to success is to start the process immediately. If the item can only be dry-cleaned, take it in as soon as possible. Make sure you let the cleaner know where you spilled the Aquaphor at. They will be able to remove this for you and prevent it from staining your beloved garment.

How To Remove Aquaphor Or Other Ointment Stains From Clothes

Before you begin, it's a good idea that you make sure you have all the materials necessary.

Materials you will need include:

Blunt edged knife or credit card-shaped piece of plastic.
Soft-bristled brush
Washing machine
Soaking bowl or bucket
Vacuum cleaner
Laundry detergent
Stain remover
Cornstarch or talcum powder
An oxygen-based whitener

Step 1: Remove The Residue

If a glob of Aquaphor or a similar product drops onto fabric, take the blunt edge of a knife or the edge of a credit card to lift off whatever you can. Do not scrub as this will force the product deep into the item's fibers, ensuring that the product will cause a stain. If the Aquaphor stains your clothing, this will be much more difficult to remove.

Step 2: Powder The Stain

Once you've dislodged the excess product, dust the affected area with a powder-based product such as:

Cornstarch
Baby powder
Plain talcum powder

These products will absorb at least some of the oil. This is an incredibly important step if you cannot treat the stain right away. It will help to keep the oil from absorbing deeper into the clothing fibers.

Step 3: Treat With Stain Remover Or Heavy-Duty Laundry Detergent

The oily or waxy part of the stain can be treated with a stain removal product in gel or spray form. Stain removal products typically contain a specific enzyme called lipase. This will help dissolve the oil, especially if you have stains on synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, which tend to attract and retain oils.

Apply the product. Begin by working a small quantity of the lipase product into the stain, using your fingers or an old toothbrush. If you do not have this kind of product on hand, use a liquid laundry detergent (Tide or Persil). The liquid laundry detergent contains stain-dissolving enzymes that can remove the oil.
Let it sit. Leave the cleaning product on the fabric's stained area for around 15 minutes.
Scrub the stain. Gently scrub the area with a soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush and thoroughly rinse the site in the hottest water permitted by the garment's care label.

Step 4: Wash As Usual

Check to see the site's condition, then place the items in the washer using the highest water temperature recommended on the garment care label. Check again before placing it in the dryer. If the Aquaphor has caused a stain, then the dryer's high temperature will cause it to set in even deeper.

At this point, it would be a good idea to reapply the stain remover and re-wash the clothing. This should help release any of the additional oil that's stuck to the clothing's fibers, which will eliminate the stain.

What If The Aquaphor Has Color In It?

If the ointment contains a colored dye, additional measures may be needed to remove all traces of the ointment, as it will stain. Make a solution of an oxygen-based brightening product and room-temperature water, using the directions on the packaging. Soak the garment, completely submerged in the mixture for a minimum of 8 hours. Afterward, you will need to remove it and check the stained area for any remaining dye traces. If this has not removed it, then chances are, it will be a permanent stain.

How To Remove Aquaphor And Ointment Stains From Carpet And Upholstery

Chances are, if you had Aquaphor on your clothing, then you may have transferred it onto another surface as well. In this case, we included a guide on how to remove Aquaphor stains from carpets and upholstery.

Materials you will need include:

Water
Carpet cleaning product or dishwashing detergent
Dull knife or plastic edge
Clean, white rags
Vacuum cleaner

Instructions

Scrape off the excess. If a blob of Aquaphor or a similar product has dropped onto fabric or carpet, take the blunt edge of a knife or the edge of a credit card-sized piece of plastic and lift off whatever you can. Do not scrub as this will force the product deep into the carpet or furniture fabric's fibers.
Buy or make some cleaning solution. Either use a regular carpet cleaning product or create your own. To make your own, you can mix a teaspoon of dish detergent into two cups of room-temperature water.
Soak the rag. Place a clean white rag, or a paper towel, into the mixture and wring it gently to remove excess water.
Blot the area. To stop the stain spreading outwards, begin at the edge and, working towards the center, sponge the stain. Keep going until no more oil transfers onto your cloth.
Rinse away the solution. Dampen another clean white cloth in water and blot the stain to ensure all the cleaning solution has been removed. Don't neglect this step, as the detergent's residue can act as a magnet for dust and other debris.
Dry the area. To complete the process, blot with a clean, dry rag. The carpet then needs time to dry out.

If the stain hasn't been removed the first time, repeat the steps. When the carpet is completely dry and the stain has gone, vacuum the area to lift the fibers, which may have been flattened during the cleaning process.

Does Aquaphor stain clothes?

Since Aquaphor is an ointment, it has been known to stain clothing. What happens is the ointment will seep into the fibers of the clothing, changing the color. It looks much like a grease stain. However, if you added color to your ointment for an art piece, the stain is going to be a lot worse.

How can I keep Aquaphor from getting on my clothes?

If you use Aquaphor as a medication, or a tattoo sealant, make sure you keep the area uncovered. Don't let your skin touch any surfaces until you've felt the ointment dry a bit. Alternatively, you can cover the area with saran wrap to keep it from getting on your clothing.

Should I wash the ointment off with hot water?

If you're washing ointment off your skin, yes, you can wash it off with hot water. However, if it's on clothing or a sofa, you should use cold water. The hot water can cause the ointment to let further into surfaces, causing unsightly stains.

Wrapping It Up

Aquaphor has become a necessity in households, whether it be for health reasons or art. Regardless of the reason for having it, accidents sometimes happen. If you aren't careful, you can transfer the ointment from your skin to your clothing, which then stains the garment.

Make sure when you discover the stain, you treat it as soon as possible. If you're unable to wash it immediately, sprinkle it with some talcum powder or corn starch. The sooner you act, the easier it will be to get your stains out, and you won't need to spend any money on new clothing.

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Heather Robbins

Heather is a passionate writer who loves anything DIY. Growing up, she learned everything from home repairs to design, and wants to share her tips with you. When she's not writing, she's usually hiking or searching for her next DIY project.

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