How To Remove Cough Syrup & Medicine Stains

Here are step by step instructions for removing cough syrup and medicine stains from clothing, upholstery and carpet.

When dealing with these spots and spills it is best to treat them quickly because of the dyes that these liquids often contain, often in bright colors such as red.

Who knows why these dyes are present? I find it aggravating, but fortunately a lot of the new formulas, especially for kids, are now dye-free and therefore aren't as staining.

In the future try to buy the dye-free versions to avoid these kinds of problems when you can, but if you've already got the spot, or can't find a dye free version, here is what to do:

How To Remove Medicine & Cough Syrup Stains From Clothes

Step 1: Run warm water over the spot, especially if it is dry, to help loosen it up.

Step 2: Mix a stain removal solution of one tablespoon liquid laundry detergent and two cups cool water, and also add one tablesppon of distilled white vinegar.

Step 3: Use a white cloth to sponge this solution onto the spot, and then tamp the stain (do not rub the spot).

Hint: To learn more about tamping, read my article on the top 9 types of stain removal techniques, which describes how to do this one in detail.

Step 4: Rinse thoroughly.

Step 5: Repeat steps 3-4 until you have removed as much of the spot as possible.

Hint: The sooner you do this after the stain occurs, the easier it will be.

Step 6: Sponge the spotted area with rubbing alcohol, using a new white cloth.

Step 7: Pretreat the stain with a laundry prewash stain remover.

Step 8: Launder with chlorine bleach if it is safe for the the fabric, or with color safe bleach if not.

Hint: Make sure the stain is gone after washing, but before you place in the dryer or you may set the stain. Repeat if necessary.

Cough Syrup & Medicine Stain Removal From Upholstery

Step 1: Mix the same stain removal solution as provided in Step 2 of the clothing instructions above.

Step 2: Use a white cloth to sponge this solution onto the spot, and then tamp the stain (do not rub it).

Step 3: Blot at the solution until the liquid is absorbed. Keep repeating with the solution until no further color is removed.

Step 4: Now, remove this cleaning solution by using plain cold water, and sponging the stain with a new white cloth. If the stain is removed, blot dry, but if not, continue on with the next step.

Step 5: Sponge the spotted area with rubbing alcohol, using a new white cloth.

Step 6: Now, remove the alcohol by using plain cold water, and sponging the stain with a new white cloth. If the stain is removed, blot dry, but if not, continue on with the next step.

Step 7: Mix a different cleaning solution, this time consisting of one teaspoon non-chlorine bleach and one tablespoon of water.

Caution: You must test this solution in an inconspicuous area of your upholstery before applying it to the spot, since it can be very strong, to make sure it will not harm or discolor the fabric.

Step 8: Assuming this solution is deemed safe for your upholstered furniture apply the bleach solution with an eye dropper. Then, sponge immediately with a clean white cloth soaked in plain water.

Step 9: Now that this stain is removed you should get plain cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the cleaning solutions applied, and then blot dry.

Hint: Throughout the process be sure to get the upholstery only as wet as necessary for removing the spot.

You can get more information on how to clean upholstery here.

Removing Cough Syrup & Medicine Stains From Carpet

The instructions for removal of medicine or cough syrup from carpet is the same as for upholstery.

Recommended Medicine & Cough Syrup Stain Removers

Perhaps you don't want to make your own stain remover, but instead want to use product that you can purchase in a store.

Here are some articles and reviews on this site which discuss various products that are designed to remove these spots and spills, or which readers have reported worked for them:

Zout Laundry Pretreater {Mutiple Recommendations}

Shout Laundry Pretreater

Whink Wash Away Pretreater

You can also share your own stain remover reviews here for other removers that work on medicine, or any other spot.

Do You Have Any Tips To Share For Removing These Stains?

I'm always looking for more tips and ideas for how to remove stains. You can share your stain removal tip here, for removing spots caused by cough syrup, medicine, or anything else.

Get Even More Stain And Spot Removal Help Here

Are you a stain magnet like me? If so, check out the A to Z Stain Removal Guide which gives directions for how to remove over 100 types of stains from all kinds of surfaces.

Bottom photo courtesy of watashiwani

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A-Z Guide For Removing Over 100 Types Of Stains

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CAUTION: This website is provided for informational purposes only. It is provided as is, without warranties or guarantees. Some stains and messes just won't come out, and are permanent. Further, some cleaning methods can harm your item, so if what you want to clean or launder is sentimental or expensive call a professional. See disclaimer of liability for more information.