How to Remove Iodine Stains: Tips and Guidelines

Key Takeaways

To remove iodine stains from various fabrics like acetate, cotton and nylon, first sponge the area with water to dilute the stain.
Apply a solution of sodium thiosulfate (1 teaspoon per 1/2 cup of warm water) to the stain, ensuring to dissolve the crystals completely before application to avoid damaging the fabric.
After treating with sodium thiosulfate, flush the fabric with clear water and repeat the process if necessary to ensure you full remove the stain.

Iodine can come in handy when cleaning up a wound, but when it gets on a household surface it can be a real pain. Read on to learn how to remove iodine stains.

The first step in removing iodine stains is to identify the stained material.

Below are the most common types of materials that can become iodine-stained, with steps on how to remove iodine from each:

Fabrics such as Acetate, Acrylic Fabric, Carpet (synthetic or wool), Cotton, Fiberglass, Linen, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, Rayon, Silk, Spandex, Triacetate or Wool
Hard surfaces such as Acrylic Plastic, Ceramic Glass/Tile, Glass, Paint (flat or gloss), Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Porcelain Fixtures, Vinyl Clothing or Vinyl Wallcovering
Stone surfaces such as Alabaster or Marble
Porous surfaces such as Asphalt, Cork or Linoleum
Masonry such as Bluestone, Brick, Concrete, Flagstone, Granite, Masonry Tile, Slate or Terrazzo
Grout
Leather or Suede
Wood

Contents

Fabrics
Hard Surfaces
Stone Surfaces
Porous Surfaces
Masonry
Grout
Leather or Suede
Wood

Fabrics

Follow these steps to remove iodine stains from Acetate, Acrylic Fabric, Carpet

(synthetic or wool), Cotton, Fiberglass, Linen, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, Rayon, Silk, Spandex, Triacetate, Wool:

Since iodine is a dye, it must be treated immediately to prevent a permanent stain. Sponge (the method of using a dampened pad to apply light strokes, moving outward from the center of the stain) the area thoroughly with water.
Add 1 teaspoon sodium thiosulfate to 1/2 cup warm water and stir until crystals are completely dissolved. (Handle carefully, as sodium thiosulfate can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, lungs and digestive tract.)
Test the fabric with the solution; if color doesn't change, wet the stain with this solution, blotting with an absorbent pad.
Flush (the method of applying stain remover to loosen staining material and residue from stain removers) well with clear water and repeat if necessary.

Hard Surfaces

Follow these steps to remove iodine stains from Acrylic Plastic, Ceramic Glass/Tile, Glass, Paint (flat or gloss), Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Porcelain Fixtures,

Vinyl Clothing, Vinyl Wallcovering:

Wipe the stain with a cloth or sponge dipped in warm sudsy water to which a few drops of ammonia have been added.
Rinse well and wipe dry.

Stone Surfaces

Follow these steps to remove iodine stains from Alabaster or Marble:

Mix a few drops of ammonia with a cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide.
Soak a white blotter (about the size of the stain) with the solution and place it over the stain.
Weight it down with a piece of glass or other heavy object.
Continue applying the solution until the stain has been bleached out.
For tougher stains, make a bleach poultice from powdered detergent, bleach, and water.
Apply this paste to the stain and cover with a damp pad to retard evaporation.
Leave overnight. Then remove the dried paste, rinse the area with clear water, and dry.

Porous Surfaces

Follow these steps to remove iodine stains from Asphalt, Cork or Linoleum:

Rub the stain with a cloth dampened in a solution of ammonia and water.
If any stain remains, saturate the cloth in the solution and place it over the stain until it is either removed or no more stain is being lifted.
Wash the area and wax as usual.

Masonry

Follow these steps to remove iodine stains from Bluestone, Brick, Concrete, Flagstone, Granite, Masonry Tile, Slate or Terrazzo:

Wash with a solution of washing soda or detergent (not soap) and water.
Use a cloth or soft-bristled brush to help scrub.
Rinse thoroughly with clear water and allow to dry.

Grout

Follow these steps to remove iodine stains from grout:

Wipe the area with a cloth dipped in warm sudsy water.
If any stain remains, dip a wet toothbrush into baking soda or powdered cleanser and gently scrub the spot.
Rinse well and wipe dry.

Leather or Suede

Follow these steps to remove iodine stains from leather or suede:

Because iodine contains a dye, it affects the hide of these materials on contact.
Therefore it cannot be removed.

Wood

Follow these steps to remove iodine stains from wood:

Mix dishwashing detergent in hot water and swish to make a great volume of suds.
Dip a cloth in only the foam and apply to the iodine stain.
Rinse with a clean cloth moistened with clear water.
Polish or wax as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if sodium thiosulfate is not available for treating an iodine stain?

If sodium thiosulfate is unavailable, use vinegar diluted with water as an alternative to help reduce iodine stains before rinsing thoroughly with water.

Is there a way to protect delicate fabrics like silk and wool from damage while treating iodine stains?

For delicate fabrics, testing the sodium thiosulfate solution on a small, hidden area first is crucial to ensure it does not alter the fabric's color or texture.