How to Remove Correction Fluid Stains From Clothes, Upholstery, and Carpet
Get Wite-Out Out of Your Fabrics
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The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Correction fluid may seem as old-fashioned as a manual typewriter, but it was once an office staple. It is still used to cover a multitude of goofs on paper surfaces, and you might be familiar with the brand White-Out. Unfortunately, getting the stains out of clothes, upholstery, or carpet is not easy, but it can be done.
Correction fluid comes in a wide range of opaque colors that can be used to cover ink. It is made with colored pigments (usually titanium dioxide-based to make them opaque), polymeric binders, and solvents. The solvents can easily evaporate and leave the fluid thick, gummy, and adhered to a fabric it comes in contact with.
Correction Fluid Stain | |
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Stain type | Chemical-based |
Detergent type | Stain remover |
Water temperature | Cold |
Click Play to Learn How to Quickly Remove Correction Fluid Stains
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Dull knife or plastic edge
- White towel or cloth
- Cotton swab
- Washing machine (optional)
- Eyedropper (optional for upholstery)
Materials
- Rubbing alcohol
- Cold water
- Acetone-based nail polish remover (optional)
- Stain remover stick, gel or spray (optional)
- Dry-cleaning solvent (optional)
Instructions
How to Remove Correction Fluid Stains From Clothes
If a drop of correction fluid lands on your clothes, do not rub. That will only drive the pigments deeper into the fabric fibers.
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Lift Away the Solid Residue
Use the edge of a plastic knife or a credit card to lift away any solids and as much of the fluid as possible.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
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Dab Rubbing Alcohol on the Stain
Wet a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol. Working from the outside edge of the correction fluid stain, dab the alcohol on the stained area of the fabric (front and back) and allow it to penetrate well for at least five minutes. The correction fluid should begin to break down and begin releasing small white flecks.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
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Rinse the Area
Hold the stained area under a faucet of running cold water and rinse the area well.
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Air-Dry
Blot with a dry white towel and allow the fabric to air-dry completely.
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Warning
Do not dry the clothing in a clothes dryer until the stain is entirely gone.
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Check Fabric Label
If any trace of the stain remains before you proceed to the next step involving acetone, you must read the fabric content label of your garment or accessory.
If your clothing has a fiber content of acetate, triacetate, or modacrylic, do not try anything more to remove the stain at home. Take your garment or bedspread to a professional dry cleaner. No further home cleaning method to remove the correction fluid is safe for these fabrics.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Warning
Do not use nail polish remover (or acetone) on acetate, triacetate, or mod-acrylic fabrics. Nail polish remover will dissolve these fabrics and create a hole that cannot be repaired.
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Dab With Acetone
If any trace of the stain remains on other types of fabric that are not acetate, triacetate, or mod-acrylic, place a white paper towel under the correction fluid stain. Using a cotton swab, dab the stain with acetone-based nail polish remover. Keep dabbing until the stain is removed.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
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Apply Stain Remover and Wash
Treat the affected area with a stain remover and launder as usual.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Remove Correction Fluid Stains from Carpet and Upholstery
The supplies you use to remove stains from upholstery and carpet are the same as you would use on clothing, but the method you will use is slightly different.
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Lift Away Solid Residue
Use a dull plastic edge to lift any solids up and away from the fabric or fibers. Be as careful as possible to not spread the stain even larger on the upholstery or carpet surface.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
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Dab on Rubbing Alcohol or Nail Polish Remover
Use an eyedropper or cotton swab to apply a few drops of rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover to the stain on the upholstery or carpet.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
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Blot Stain
Have a clean, white cloth or paper towel ready to blot the fabric or fibers immediately. Keep repeating the steps until no more stain is visible or it can't be removed any further.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
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Rinse, Dry, and Vacuum
When the stain is gone, sponge the area with clean water and blot dry. Allow to air-dry away from direct heat. If you are working on a carpet, after sponging the area, vacuum to lift the fibers.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
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Final Effort: Use Dry-Cleaning Solvent
If all else fails and the stain remains on a carpet, allow the spot to dry and then treat the area with a dry-cleaning solvent.
Keep the room well-ventilated and sponge the stain with a bit of the solvent on a clean white cloth. Keep moving to a clean area of the cloth as the stain is absorbed into the cloth to prevent additional staining. Once the stain is removed, blot dry and vacuum.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska