Last Updated on 5 months by Susan Mayrich

If you’re unsure how to get iodine out of clothes, there are two products you can use. You’ll learn the steps for each process and determine the safest method according to your fabric type.

You’ll also learn about the commercial and DIY cleaning solution to compare what you should use to remove the iodine stains. And for other kinds of stain removal guides, feel free to browse our blog.

For example, you might be interested to know how to get iodine out of the carpet.

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How To Get Iodine Out Of Clothes: Complete Iodine Stain Removal Guide

Iodine is a common stain that’s difficult to remove on clothes. The type of fabric and amount of iodine will determine how much you can remove.

How To Get Iodine Out Of Clothes Using Detergent

The enzyme laundry detergent is the easiest and most common solution for iodine stains on clothes. This is because the enzymes on the product can break down the iodine for easier removal.

Here are the steps for the process, but take note that you’re using ammonia, so your detergent should be bleach-free because of the toxic fumes:

Flush the affected area on the clothing with cold water.

Prepare a mixture of one-quart cool water, one tablespoon of ammonia, and ½ teaspoon of laundry detergent.
Soak the clothes in the cleaning solution for half an hour.
Wash as usual.

How To Get Iodine Out Of Clothes Using Sodium Thiosulfate

You’ll need a stronger product like sodium thiosulfate for fabrics with dried iodine stains. This stain remover is very effective against stubborn iodine stains on clothing materials.

The Most Effective Way On How To Get Iodine Out Of Clothes

Here are the steps for the process, which you can also use for chlorine bleach stains on clothes:

Make a cleaning solution with a cup of water and a teaspoon of sodium thiosulfate.
Dip a clean cloth into the mixture and blot the affected site on the fabric.
Rinse the clothes under running water and wash them as usual.

Repeat spot-treating the iodine stains if they don’t come out the first time.

How To Treat Iodine Stains On Delicate Fabrics

What if your clothes are made from delicate fabrics? Regardless of the products you’ll use, always test the cleaning solution on a small inconspicuous area of the fabric.

If there’s no reaction or fading of the cloth with the cleaning solution, you can proceed. Most fabrics like cotton, linen, nylon, polyester, and rayon should be safe to treat with sodium thiosulfate, but it’s not recommended to remove iodine stains on suede or leather because they can get damaged.

Sponge the iodine stains with water to prevent them from setting within the clothing fibers.
Wear productive clothing and dissolve a teaspoon of sodium thiosulfate in half a cup of warm water.
Wet the iodine stains with the cleaning solution and blot them with an absorbent material until removed.

Flush the clothes with clean water and repeat if the stain persists.

Speaking of cleaning stains from delicate fabrics, you might also want the proper laundry practices for baby products and items. For example, here’s how to get food stains out of baby clothes.

How To Treat Iodine Stains On Dark Fabrics

The challenging thing about treating iodine stains on dark fabrics is some products and methods might fade the clothes. So before removing the stains on your dark clothing, check if the solution is safe by trying it first on a small area.

You can treat the iodine stains for dark fabrics made from natural fibers with gentle laundry soap and water. A commercial stain remover might work for synthetic fibers, especially on new iodine stains.

How To Treat Iodine Stains On White Fabrics

Healthcare workers might get iodine stains on their white scrubs. You can dilute ammonia with water and use it to wash these stained white clothes.

How To Get Iodine Out Of Clothes Made With White Fabrics

And for white clothes like those made from starched linens, you can use soap and water to remove iodine stains. However, it’s advised never to use bleach products on iodine stains because they can set the stains and make them harder to get out of clothes.

If the iodine is still fresh, try running it under cold water to remove as much iodine as possible. Then, rub the stain with a paste made from detergent and water inside the fabric before washing the clothes as usual.

DIY Solutions To Remove Iodine Stains

How To Get Iodine Out Of Clothes With Household Products

You can remove the iodine stain on clothing by mixing hydrogen peroxide and dishwashing liquid. Some people also swear by mixing baking soda and white vinegar.

Target the iodine stain with the homemade solution and soak it for 15 minutes. Then, wash the fabric as usual with laundry detergent.

If you’re dealing with the stain on other fabric household products, try these steps:

How To Get Iodine Out Of Carpet

Mix a tablespoon each of dishwashing soap and white vinegar with two cups of warm water.
Soak a cloth with the homemade cleaning solution and blot the iodine stain.
Rub with a dry cloth until the area is cleaned.

Flush with clean water and repeat as needed.
If the iodine stain remains, try a tablespoon of ammonia with a teaspoon of dishwashing soap and two cups of warm water.
Spot treat and soak the stain for half an hour, blotting every five minutes with the ammonia solution.

Then, clean with cold water and dry completely with a cloth.

How To Get Iodine Out Of Upholstery

Mix two cups of cool water with a tablespoon of dishwashing detergent.

Target the iodine stain on the upholstery and let it area soak for half an hour.
Flush with cold water and allow the upholstery to dry.
You can also use a cup of cold water mixed with a tablespoon of sodium thiosulfate if the stain remains on the upholstery.

Drop the sodium thiosulfate solution onto the iodine stain and add some drops of ammonia.
Sponge the upholstery with cold water and dry it with a cloth.

Commercial Products To Remove Iodine Stains

There are commercial products specifically formulated to remove iodine stains. Check and follow their label to ensure their effectiveness.

How To Get Iodine Out Of Clothes With Commercial Removers

Commercial iodine stain removers are recommended to soak the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, wipe the product off and wash the material.

Always test the commercial stain remover item on a small spot on the fabric to see if it will cause any reaction.

How Does Iodine Stain Clothes?

While iodine is an effective antiseptic, one of its drawbacks is how it can stain fabrics, which can be hard to remove. The resulting yellow and brown iodine stains usually need a pre-treatment as direct washing won’t remove them.

Recommended Method On How To Get Iodine Out Of Clothes

The International Fabricare Institute, the Association of Professional Drycleaners and Launderers recommend using an iodine-potassium iodide solution first. Then, blot the iodine stain with sodium thiosulfate.

Besides iodine, the products we use daily can also stain clothing fabrics. So be sure to bookmark our guides, like how to get melted chapstick out of clothes to be ready.

Does Iodine Stain Clothes Permanently?

Iodine stains can be stubborn to remove on clothes, but knowing the recommended products and steps should help you find the best method for your fabric. The most effective way is with sodium thiosulfate.

However, avoid trying to remove the iodine stain with heat because it can set the stain and make it harder to remove. Similarly, keep the stain moist to prevent the iodine from setting in the clothing fibers.

You also want to check if your clothes are washable and if you’re using safe products based on their fabric type. Some clothes are dry-clean only, so bringing them to a cleaning professional is better.

How To Get Iodine Out Of Clothes (Fresh Stains)

To prevent setting fresh iodine stains, follow this method:

Soak a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide
Blot the iodine stain with the cotton

You can replace the soaked cotton with another one once it soaked the iodine
Hold the affected area under running cold water to flush the hydrogen peroxide

Conclusion

And that’s it! You have two products that can help with how to get iodine out of clothes!

For fresh iodine stains, mix laundry detergent, water, and ammonia, then soak the clothes for 30 minutes. But for stubborn stains, make a cleaning solution with sodium thiosulfate and a cup of water.

However, always remember never to expose the clothes to heat when treating iodine stains. This can set the stain off and make it harder to remove.

How To Get Iodine Out Of Clothes: 2 Best Ways