How to Remove White Out Stains from Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You got White Out (correction fluid) on your clothes and want to remove it. Maybe you were using it at work, your kid got into the office supplies, or you had an accident at your desk. White Out is a correction fluid that contains solvents and pigments that bond with fabric fibers. Here’s how to remove White Out stains from clothes without damaging the fabric.

White Out (correction fluid) is a liquid correction product that contains solvents (trichloroethylene or naphtha) and white pigment (titanium dioxide) that bond with fabric fibers and produce a white, crusty stain. The key to removing White Out is dissolving the solvent base with rubbing alcohol or paint thinner, then removing the pigment with dish soap and OxiClean.

To remove White Out from clothes, scrape off excess, apply rubbing alcohol to dissolve the base, blot with a clean cloth, apply Dawn dish soap, scrub with a toothbrush, apply OxiClean, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying. Don’t rub, don’t use hot water, and don’t put White Out-stained clothes in the dryer.

For Fresh White Out Stains

Step 1: Scrape Off Excess

Use a dull edge to scrape off excess White Out. Don’t rub, which pushes it deeper into the fabric.

Step 2: Apply Rubbing Alcohol

Apply rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) to the stain with a cotton ball or cloth. The alcohol dissolves the solvent base of the White Out. Let sit for 15 minutes. Blot with a clean cloth to lift the dissolved White Out.

Step 3: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap to the stain. Work it in gently. Let sit for 15 minutes. Dawn breaks down the remaining pigment and solvent.

Step 4: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub the stain with an old toothbrush. Work from the outside in.

Step 5: Apply Baking Soda Paste

Make a paste of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda and water. Apply to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush. Baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive to lift the pigment.

Step 6: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let sit for 15 minutes. OxiClean breaks down the remaining stain.

Step 7: Apply Shout Foam

Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 8: Wash in Warm Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Add half a cup of baking soda to the wash.

Step 9: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser for the rinse.

Step 10: Check Before Drying

Check that the White Out stain is gone before putting clothes in the dryer. If it remains, treat again and re-wash. Don’t put White Out-stained clothes in the dryer.

For Dried White Out Stains

Step 1: Scrape Off Dried White Out

Use a dull edge to scrape off as much dried White Out as possible. The dried crust may flake off.

Step 2: Apply Rubbing Alcohol

Apply rubbing alcohol to the stain. Let sit for 30 minutes. The alcohol dissolves the dried solvent base. Blot with a clean cloth.

Step 3: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn dish soap to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 4: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub the stain with an old toothbrush. Work from the outside in.

Step 5: Apply Baking Soda Paste

Make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply to the stain. Let sit for 30 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush.

Step 6: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 7: Apply Shout Foam

Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 8: Wash in Warm Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Add baking soda and OxiClean to the wash.

Step 9: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse.

Step 10: Check Before Drying

Check that the stain is gone. If it remains, repeat the process. Don’t put White Out-stained clothes in the dryer.

Alternative Methods

Use Paint Thinner or Mineral Spirits

For stubborn White Out stains, apply paint thinner or mineral spirits to the stain with a cotton ball. Let sit for 10 minutes. Blot with a clean cloth. Use in a well-ventilated area. Wash afterward with Dawn dish soap to remove the solvent.

Use Nail Polish Remover (Acetone)

For stubborn White Out stains on sturdy fabrics, apply nail polish remover (acetone) to the stain. Let sit for 5 minutes. Blot with a clean cloth. Don’t use on acetate, modacrylic, or delicate fabrics, which acetone can dissolve.

Use Goo Gone

Apply Goo Gone adhesive remover to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. Blot with a clean cloth. Wash afterward with Dawn dish soap.

Use Amodex for Ink Mixed with White Out

If the White Out stain has ink mixed in, use Amodex Ink and Stain Remover.

Use Lysol for Disinfecting

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse.

Clean the Machine After

Clean the washer with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner.

White Out Stain Removal by Fabric Type

Fabric Type	Best Treatment	Water Temp	Notes
Cotton	Rubbing alcohol, Dawn, OxiClean	Warm	Most common
Polyester	Rubbing alcohol, Dawn	Warm	Gentler scrubbing
Denim	Rubbing alcohol, Dawn, OxiClean	Cold to warm	Wash inside out
Delicates	Rubbing alcohol, gentle blotting	Cold	Don’t scrub, don’t use acetone
Acetate	Dawn, OxiClean (no acetone)	Cold	Don’t use acetone or paint thinner

What Not to Do

Don’t rub the stain. Rubbing spreads the White Out. Scrape and scrub with a toothbrush.

Don’t use hot water. Hot water can set the White Out. Use warm water.

Don’t put White Out-stained clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat sets the stain permanently. Air dry and check first.

Don’t use acetone on acetate or delicate fabrics. Acetone can dissolve acetate, modacrylic, and some synthetics. Test on a hidden area first.

Don’t use paint thinner in a poorly ventilated area. Paint thinner has strong fumes. Use in a well-ventilated area.

Don’t give up after one treatment. Stubborn White Out stains may need 2 to 3 treatments. Repeat the process.

FAQ

How do you remove White Out from clothes? Scrape off excess, apply rubbing alcohol for 15 minutes, blot with a clean cloth, apply Dawn dish soap for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, apply OxiClean, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying.

What removes White Out from clothes? Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) dissolves the solvent base of White Out. Dawn dish soap removes the pigment. OxiClean removes the remaining stain. For stubborn stains, use paint thinner or nail polish remover (acetone) on sturdy fabrics.

Does rubbing alcohol remove White Out from clothes? Yes. Rubbing alcohol dissolves the solvent base of White Out, making it easier to remove. Apply to the stain, let sit for 15 minutes, blot with a clean cloth, and wash.

Can you put White Out-stained clothes in the dryer? No. Dryer heat sets White Out stains permanently. Air dry and check first. If the stain remains, treat again and re-wash.

How do you remove dried White Out from clothes? Scrape off dried White Out, apply rubbing alcohol for 30 minutes, blot with a clean cloth, apply Dawn dish soap, scrub with a toothbrush, apply baking soda paste, apply OxiClean, wash in warm water, and check before drying. Repeat if needed.

References

1. Tide. “White Out Stain Removal Guide.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “How to Remove White Out from Clothes.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Correction Fluid Stain Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. OxiClean. “Stain Removal Guide.” oxiclean.com.