How To Get Vape Juice Out of Clothes

There’s no worse feeling than spilling vape juice on your favourite clothes. 

When refilling your vape tanks, there’s always a chance you accidentally overfill your tank or mishandle the bottle, causing the e-liquid to come into contact with your clothing. Sometimes, leakages occur from improper assembly. 

The result is an unpleasant coloured stain that can be permanent if not treated properly. 

So, how do you get rid of the stain? 

Learn how to remove vape juice from your clothes or fabrics so you can have peace of mind knowing that your clothing wasn’t ruined. 

Do Vape Juice Stain Clothes?

Yes, vape juice can stain clothes and other fabrics. Generally, vape juice consists of the following: 

• Propylene glycol (PG): Propylene glycol is a chemical compound used as a carrier for nicotine and is generally recognised as safe for consumption. 
• Vegetable glycerin (VG): Vegetable glycerin is a natural compound from vegetable oils that helps create vapour. 
• Nicotine: Nicotine is an addictive substance that’s colourless and odourless. 
• Flavourings: Artificial flavourings are added to create different vape juice flavours. 
• Water: Water can help to dilute the e-liquid. 

Propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin are the main culprits that result in hard-to-remove stains from e-juice. While PG is a water-based solution, it has an oily consistency that leaves a greasy mark on any clothing. 

The chemicals penetrate the inner fibres of the fabric and bond with them. To make matters worse, the heat generated from the vaping process causes the stain to set into your clothes. Thus, it’s essential to act quickly to remove stains before they become permanent. 

Vape juice also contains food colouring with highly concentrated pigments that easily stain fabric. Some fabrics are more prone to staining than others. 

How To Get Rid of a Vape Juice Stain

While vape juices can leave stubborn stains on clothes, there are ways to remove them. Here’s a simple process you can follow to help remove the stain:

1. Blot the Stain

If you’ve just spilt the juice all over your clothes, you can increase your odds of removal by blotting as much excess vape juice as possible with a clean cloth or paper towel.

 Ensure you don’t rub the stain in, as this can spread it to a larger area. Like any stain, it’s essential to act fast. The longer the e-liquid sits on your clothes, the harder it is to remove. 

2. Pre-treat the Stain

Apply a small amount of pre-treatment product or stain remover to the affected area and gently work it into the fabric using a soft brush or your fingers. Then, let it sit for a few minutes to penetrate the stain. The trick is to pre-treat the stain while it’s still dry – don’t rinse it with water first. 

3. Rinse the Garment 

Next, you’ll want to turn your garment inside out, then let it run under hot or warm water. Higher temperatures have been shown to help remove stains, and turning it inside out sends the e-liquid back through where it came rather than deeper into the fibres of the fabric. 

The hot water also helps to break up the oil. Hold the stained area under water for a few minutes and let the water do its job. 

4. Throw It in the Wash

Check the care label on your clothing and wash the garment according to the recommendation. Adjust the washing machine to the warmest setting recommended on the label using your favourite mild detergent. 

5. Check the Stained Area 

After washing, check the stained area to see if it’s still visible. Repeat the pre-treatment and washing process until the stain is fully removed. 

If the fabric is white, you can add bleach after reviewing the care label for bleach instructions. 

6. Air Dry Your Clothes 

Lastly, you can air dry your clothes. Avoiding the dryer or high heat is best since it can set the stain in, making it harder to remove. 

What if It’s an Old Vape Juice Stain?

Vape juice has an oily texture, which never fully dries. You can follow the same steps as you would with new stains. However, it may require multiple pre-treatment and wash cycles to completely eliminate it. 

Like new stains, you should pre-treat the stained areas with stain remover. Gently rub it in with your fingers and let it sit for a few minutes, allowing it to penetrate the fabric. 

Then, put it into the washer. Once the wash cycle is completed, check the stained area. 

If the stain is still visible, repeat the pre-treatment process and wash your clothing. Once the stain is completely gone or significantly diminished, you can move on to air drying. 

If you’re still having trouble removing the stains, it’s best to take them to a professional dry-cleaning service. 

What if the Clothing Is Delicate?

Delicate clothing requires special care since the fabrics are more fragile and sensitive to extensive washing or drying methods. 

That said, if you’ve accidentally spilt vape juice on your delicate clothing, you can still remove the stain. You may have to hand wash the item with the same detergent you’d use in the washing machine. 

You can spot-treat the garment and then soak the garment for about 15 to 30 minutes to allow the stain to loosen gently. Next, lay the clothing flat, allowing it to air dry. 

Consider taking it to a dry cleaner, where they can apply the correct type of stain remover to your specific fabric. Wool and silk should be taken to a professional dry cleaner since they can’t endure repeated washing. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Are Vape Juice Stains Difficult to Remove?

Vape juice stains on clothes are challenging to remove because they contain ingredients like propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin and food colouring, which leave coloured residue on fabrics. The heat generated from the vape also causes the stain to set into the fabric. 

Final Thoughts

Stubborn vape stains can be frustrating, especially on your favourite clothing. However, with a few tips and tricks, you can restore your garment to its original condition. 

The key to improving your odds of removal is to act immediately once the stain occurs. And if you really can’t get rid of it, there’s a good chance a professional dry cleaner can help. 

Fortunately, you’ll never have to worry about vape juice spills again with disposable RELX vape devices. Our disposable vape devices feature a leak-resistance maze and 11 structural layers, preventing condensation and leaks.

If you want to explore new vapes, check out our collections for your ideal match. Shop RELX today and enjoy a more secure vaping experience!