While it’s common knowledge to brush our teeth before getting dressed, we sometimes do it the other way around and end up with a spatter or a chunk of toothpaste on our leather jackets, shoes, or other clothing items.
If this has happened to you, don’t panic! I tested out whether or not toothpaste stains leather, and here’s what we found.
Whitening toothpaste contains mild bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide, which can cause leather to discolor or stain. If you accidentally get toothpaste on your leather, it’s best to clean it off as soon as possible using a damp cloth, mild dish soap, or leather cleaner.
There you go if you came for a quick short and sweet answer. But if you’re looking for a more in-depth explanation, read on!
Why Does Toothpaste Stain Leather?
There are a lot of reasons toothpaste can stain leather. Here are a few of the common culprits;
1. Some Toothpaste Contains Hydrogen Peroxide
One of the main reasons toothpaste stains leather is the hydrogen peroxide found in some brands of toothpaste.
This is usually common in whitening toothpaste but can also be found in other formulas as well.
Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent, which means it can cause some materials to change color or become discolored.
When it comes into contact with leather, it can cause the leather to stain or discolor. If you accidentally get toothpaste on your leather, it’s important to clean it off as soon as possible.
2. Toothpaste Contain Sweetening Agents
Toothpaste usually comes with different fragrances and sweetening agents to make them taste better.
However, these same agents can also make leather sticky and more prone to staining.
When the sticky substance from the toothpaste comes into contact with dirt or other particles, it can cause staining.
If you accidentally get toothpaste on your leather, it’s important to clean it off as soon as possible.
3. The Florides In Toothpaste Can Eat Away At The Leather
Florides are one of the key components in toothpaste that helps to clean our teeth.
However, these same Florides can be abrasive when allowed to sit on leather for extended periods of time.
This can cause an etched stain on the surface of the leather, which can be difficult to remove.
This is the more reason why if you accidentally get toothpaste on your leather, it’s important to clean it off as soon as possible.
4. Colored Toothpaste Will Leave Discoloration
Last but not least, colored stains or discolorations are also possible if colored toothpaste gets on your leather items.
We all see the fancy little colors some toothpaste comes in.
They help to make the toothpaste look more appealing, but they can also cause staining if they come into contact with leather, clothes, carpets, and other porous materials.
If you accidentally get toothpaste on your leather, it’s important to clean it off as soon as possible.
Let’s now get into how to clean or remove toothpaste stains from leather.
How to Clean or Remove Toothpaste Stains from Leather
As I mentioned before, if you’ve accidentally gotten toothpaste on your leather, don’t panic! Here are a few ways you can clean or remove the stain:
Method 1: Using Mild Dish Soap And Warm Water
One of the easiest ways to remove toothpaste stains from leather is by using mild dish soap and warm water.
- Start by mixing a small amount of dish soap with warm water until it forms a soapy solution.
- Then, take a clean cloth or sponge and dip it into the soapy solution.
- Gently rub the cloth or sponge onto the stained area in a circular motion.
- Once the stain has been removed, rinse the area with clean water and dry it off with a soft cloth.
- Make sure to apply a leather conditioner afterward to help restore the leather’s natural oils.
Method 2: Using A Vinegar And Water Solution
Another thing that works is using a vinegar and water solution.
Vinegar is a powerful cleaning agent that can be used to remove all sorts of stains, including toothpaste stains.
To use this method;
- Start by mixing a solution of one part vinegar and two parts water.
- Then, take a clean cloth or sponge and dip it into the vinegar solution.
- Next, gently rub the stained leather area with a damp cloth.
- Again, clean the area with a dry towel and allow it to air dry.
- Repeat this process as necessary until the stain is gone.
- Always finish off by applying a leather conditioner.
Method 3: Using A Baby Wipe
If you’re in a pinch and don’t have any dish soap or vinegar on hand, you can try using a baby wipe.
Baby wipes are designed to be gentle on sensitive skin, so they should be safe to use on leather.
To use this method;
- Start by taking a clean baby wipe and gently rubbing it over the stained area.
- You may need to use a few baby wipes to get the job done.
- Once the stain is gone, take a dry cloth and wipe off any excess moisture.
- Allow the area to air dry completely before using the leather item again.
- Lastly, finish by applying a leather conditioner.
Method 4: Leather Cleaner Or Saddle Soap
If all of the abovementioned methods fail, you can try using a leather cleaner or saddle soap.
Leather cleaners and saddle soap are designed to clean and protect leather.
To use this method;
- Start by following the instructions on the product label.
- Most leather cleaners and saddle soaps will require you to wet a sponge or cloth and then rub it over the area.
- Once you’ve cleaned the area, take a dry cloth and wipe off any excess moisture.
- Allow the leather to air dry completely
- Finish by applying a leather conditioner to help restore the leather’s essential oils.
Final Thoughts
To wrap up, toothpaste can stain leather if it’s not cleaned off right away. This is mainly because toothpaste contains coloring agents that can transfer over to leather.
You can clean or remove the stain in a few different ways, including using mild dish soap and water, vinegar and water solution, or a leather cleaner or saddle soap.
This concludes our article on whether toothpaste stains leather. I hope you found it helpful! Thanks for reading!
Thanks for reading! Until next time!
