Neosporin is one of the most popular antibiotic creams on the market today. It is used to treat minor cuts, scrapes, and burns because it contains a combination of antibiotics and other ingredients that help protect wounds from infection.
Unfortunately, this medication can also stain clothing if it gets on the fabric, it may leave behind stains that are hard to remove.
Fortunately, there are several different methods you can use to remove Neosporin stains from clothing.
Pro tip: As soon as possible after spilling Neosporin on clothing, rinse away as much of the product as possible with cold water until all traces of color have been removed to neosporin from setting in the fabric.
Does Neosporin Stain Clothes
Yes. Neosporin is a topical ointment used to treat cuts and scrapes. It contains bacitracin, which can cause stains when it comes into contact with clothing. The good news is that it’s possible to remove those stains from your clothes if you act quickly.
Are Neosporin Stains Permenent
No. The bacitracin in Neosporin will not permanently stain your clothing, but it also isn’t easy to remove from fabric. You will probably have to wash the shirt several times before the stain is gone completely.
What You’ll Need
Neosporin can be removed from most fabrics using common household items below:
- Vinegar
- Club soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Dish soap
- laundry detergent
- Rubbing alcohol
How to Remove Neosporin Stain from Clothing (6 Simple Ways)
Method 1: Vinegar Solution
Vinegar is a natural stain remover that works well on many types of stains including those caused by Neosporin. The vinegar solution removes the stain by breaking down the protein in the blood that causes it to stick to your clothing.
Step 1: Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and some warm water. Spray the stained area liberally with this solution and allow it to sit for about 5 minutes before washing as usual with your regular laundry detergent.
Step 2: Wash as usual using cold water on a gentle cycle or hand wash if necessary. Dry as usual but do not put them in a dryer until after all stains are removed completely or they will set permanently.
Method 2: Soap and Water Solution
Step 1 – Blot Up Excess Neosporin
Blot up any excess neosporin on the fabric with a clean paper towel or cloth until no more stains are visible. If the neosporin has already dried onto the fabric, use warm water to help loosen it up so it can be rubbed out of the fabric more easily later on.
Step 2 – Remove Remaining Stains With Soap And Water
After blotting up as much of the Neosporin as possible using a paper towel or cloth, wash the stained area with soap and water in warm water until all evidence of Neosporin is gone from the fabric.
Step 3 – Launder Clothing As Usual
Rinse the stained area again with cool water and allow it to dry completely before wearing it again or washing it according to manufacturer instructions if it’s washable clothing.
Method 3: Liquid Laundry Detergent
Use a small amount of liquid laundry detergent. The detergent will break down the neosporin and remove it from the fabric. Laundry detergent works great on Removing Ointment Stains From Clothing.
Step 1: Wash the stained garment in cold water.
Step 2: Apply liquid laundry detergent directly onto the stain, using a clean white cloth.
Step 3: Let the garment soak for at least 15 minutes in warm water with liquid laundry detergent added. This will help break down the antibiotic ointment and make it easier to remove.
Step 4: Rinse thoroughly in warm water, making sure that all traces of soap are gone before putting it in the dryer.
Method 4: Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing Alcohol is an excellent product for removing stains from clothing. It evaporates quickly, which means the alcohol will not damage the fabric of your garment.
As you apply the alcohol, it will begin to break down any oil or grease that was deposited by the neosporin. After allowing the alcohol to sit for a few minutes, you can rinse out the excess with water and place your garment in the washing machine.
To remove the stain, follow these steps:
Step 1: Place a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a clean cloth or sponge.
Step 2: Wipe over the area where the stain is located until no more residue remains.
Step 3: If any residue remains after wiping with rubbing alcohol, repeat step 1 until all traces of the neosporin are gone.
Method 5: Club Soda
Another option is club soda, which will help lift some of the colors out of your clothing without damaging its fibers like hydrogen peroxide or ammonia might do over time due to their acidic nature.
Step 1: Pour club soda directly onto the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes before laundering according to the instructions on your garment label.
Step 2: After some minutes rinse the area and laundry as usual.
Method 5: Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can also be used to remove a Neosporin stain from clothing. You should first blot up as much of the Neosporin as possible with a clean towel before starting with hydrogen peroxide.
Step 1: Pour some hydrogen peroxide onto the stain and let it soak for about 15 minutes so that it can start working on removing the stain from your clothes.
Step 2: Blot again with another clean towel and then wash your clothes according to their care label instructions to remove all traces of hydrogen peroxide from them.
How to Remove Neosporin Stain from Couch
Neosporin can leave stains on your couch or other furniture if it drips onto them. Fortunately, it’s easy to remove Neosporin stains from your couch with a few simple steps:
Step 1 – Remove Excess Neosporin
Use a paper towel or cloth to blot up excess Neosporin from the couch. Do not rub at this time; rubbing could damage the fabric and make it harder to remove later.
Step 2 – Add Water
Add water to a bowl or cup and mix in one tablespoon of cornstarch or baby powder per cup of water until well blended. This solution helps break down the antibiotic stains so they can be removed more easily.
Step 3 – Apply the Solution
Apply your solution of vinegar and soap with a clean cloth and rub gently over the stain until it begins to lift away from the fabric. Continue applying additional solution until all traces of the stain have been removed from both sides of the fabric, then allow your couch to air dry before sitting back down on it again.
Final Words
Cleaning neosporin off of clothing can be tougher without the proper supplies, as it often saturates the fabric. However, with enough time and effort, you will get it out. It just may take some more time than you expected.
