How to Clean Stain on Plastic or Rubber
Cleaning a stain on plastic or rubber is usually not difficult. These materials can withstand water and strong detergents.
However, the treatment of plastic and rubber differs depending on the nature of the stain. Before using a particular solution:
– Scrub with a damp sponge (the abrasive part if necessary) and soap.
– Rinse with clean water.
– Dry.
If this treatment remains without effect, refer to our practical sheet according to the type of stain.
Removing DIY and gardening stains from plastic and rubber
Oil paint stains (glycerophtalic)
To remove an oil paint stain from plastic or rubber:
– Place an absorbent cloth over the stain to remove the surface paint.
– Dilute scouring powder with a bit of water.
– Rub the detergent into the abrasive part of a sponge.
– Clean the sponge and rinse the treated area with clean water.
– Wipe with a clean, dry cloth.
Water-based (acrylic) paint stains
To remove a water-based paint stain from plastic or rubber flooring:
– If the stain is fresh: lather it up with a sponge.
– If the stain is stubborn: apply a little white spirit with a clean cloth.
Grease stains
To clean a grease stain on plastic:
– Smear the stain with a rag soaked in white spirit.
– Rinse.
Tar/oil/fuel stains
To remove an oil stain from plastic or rubber:
– Prepare a solution containing:
◦ washing powder;
◦ bleach.
– Soak a cloth in this mixture.
– Rub the stain.
– Wash with clean water.
– Wipe off.
Mold and mildew stains
To remove a mold stain from rubber:
– Dab the stain with a vinegar-soaked cloth.
– Dab the remaining stain with a cotton ball moistened with bleach.
Resin stains
To remove resin from plastic: rub the stain with a cloth soaked in turpentine.
Grass stain
To remove a grass stain from rubber:
– Scrub the stain with a cloth soaked in soapy water.
– Finish the cleaning with a cloth soaked in bleach.
– Wash with clean water.
Another effective detergent is scouring powder.
Mud stain
To remove a mud stain from plastic, rub the stain with a sponge soaked in soapy water.
Gasoline stains
To clean a gasoline stain on rubber:
– Rub this stain with a cloth soaked in white spirit.
– Don’t forget to rinse!
Mechanical oil stains
To get rid of a mechanical oil stain on a plastic floor, for example:
– Smear the stain with a cloth containing soap and water.
– If that’s not enough, put some liquid scouring powder on a cloth and scrub again.
– Rinse.
Moisture Stains
To get rid of a moisture stain on plastic: rub the stain with a dry cloth.
Glue stains
To remove a putty stain from rubber or plastic:
– Scrape the glue from the surface with a spoon.
– Rub the stain with the abrasive side of the sponge and soap and water.
– Rinse off.
– Dry.
Another effective detergent is scouring powder.
Rust stains
To remove a rust stain on rubber:
Rub the stain with a handkerchief soaked in salt and lemon.
Another effective detergent is hydrochloric acid.
Soot stains
Got a soot stain on plastic? Dab the stain with a cotton ball moistened with white spirit.
Removing food stains from plastic and rubber
Red wine stains
To clean a red wine stain on plastic:
– Place an absorbent cloth over the stain to remove the excess.
– Rub the stain with a cloth soaked in diluted scouring powder.
– Wash with clean water.
– Wipe clean.
White wine stains
To remove a white wine stain from rubber:
– Remove the surface soiling with a tissue.
– Mix water and scouring powder.
– Apply the solution to the stain with a cloth.
– Rinse with a damp cloth.
– Rub with a dry cloth to remove the moisture.
Sparkling wine stains
To remove all traces of sparkling wine from plastic, you only need a little elbow grease and a cloth soaked in diluted scouring powder.
Soda stains
To remove a soda stain from rubber:
– Rub the stain with a sponge soaked in dishwashing liquid.
– Repeat this treatment as many times as necessary.
– Wash with cold water.
Coffee stains
To remove a coffee stain from rubber:
– Dilute scouring powder in warm water.
– Rub the stain with a cloth soaked in the mixture.
– Wash with clean water.
– Wipe with a dry cloth.
Tea Stains
To clean a tea stain on plastic or rubber:
– Sponge to remove an initial layer.
– Rub the stain with a damp sponge moistened with scouring powder.
– Wash with warm water.
– Wipe dry.
Edible oil stains
To remove an olive oil stain from plastic:
– Scrub the stain with a brush soaked in pure dishwashing liquid.
– Wash with hot water.
Cherry stains
To remove a cherry stain from plastic or rubber:
– Sprinkle the stain with scouring powder.
– Wet with a damp cloth.
– Wipe with a dry cloth.
Tomato Stains
To remove tomato from rubber:
– Rub the stain with a cotton ball containing sunflower oil.
– Wash with clean water.
Other effective detergents: sun, turpentine
Tip: If the weather is nice outside, the most effortless method is to place your object in the sun.
Blueberry stains
To clean a blueberry stain from plastic, rub it with light scouring powder.
Butter and grease stains
To remove a butter stain from rubber:
– Rub the stain with a cloth dampened with undiluted dishwashing liquid.
– Rinse.
Strawberry stains
To remove a strawberry stain from rubber:
– Mix scouring powder with cold water.
– Rub the stain with a sponge soaked in the detergent.
– Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
– Then switch to a clean cloth to remove the water.
Raspberry Stains
To remove a raspberry stain from rubber or plastic:
– Rub the stain with diluted scouring powder.
– Sponge.
– Dry with a dry cloth.
Chewing gum stains
To remove a chewing gum stain from rubber:
– Place a bag containing ice cubes on the stain.
– Remove the dried paste with your fingernail.
– Dab the remainder with a tissue dipped in heated vinegar.
Chocolate stains
To remove a chocolate stain from plastic, dab it with a damp sponge soaked in scouring powder.
Curry sauce stains
To get rid of a curry sauce stain on rubber:
– Scrub the dirt with a cloth soaked in lemon juice and salt.
– Sponge with warm water.
Salad dressing stains
To remove a salad dressing stain from plastic: Sponge the stain with dishwashing liquid.
Asian sauce stains
To get rid of a nuoc mam sauce stain on plastic:
– Prepare a bath containing soapy water with vinegar.
– Rub with a sponge.
– Rinse off.
Mayonnaise stains
To remove a mayonnaise stain from plastic:
– Scrub the stain with a brush dipped in dishwashing liquid and water.
– Wash with hot water.
Grape stains
To remove a grape stain from plastic:
– Prepare a bath with dishwashing liquid and water.
– Rub the stain with a ball of steel wool.
– If the treatment fails, wipe the stain with a cotton ball moistened with vinegar.
Other effective detergents: hydrogen peroxide and ammonia.
On plastic or rubber
To clean a grape stain in a plastic box, for example:
– Dip the box in a sink filled with diluted dishwashing liquid and scrub with an abrasive sponge.
– If any traces remain:
◦ Mix hydrogen peroxide and ammonia.
◦ Rub the stain with a cloth soaked in the solution.
◦ Wash under the tap with cold water.
Another effective detergent is vinegar.
Caramel stains
A caramel stain on rubber?
– Dip the rubber into boiling water.
– Wait for the rubber to cool.
– Soap up the remaining stain.
Honey stains
To remove a honey stain from rubber:
– Rub the stained area with a cloth dipped in ammonia water.
– Wash with cold water.
Vinegar stains
To remove a vinegar stain from plastic: Rub the stain with a damp sponge soaked in hot dishwashing liquid.
Beet stains
To remove a beet mark from rubber:
– Prepare a basin of warm water and vinegar.
– Dip the rubber into the basin for a few minutes.
– Rinse.
Mustard stains
To remove a mustard mark from a plastic floor:
– Smear the stain with a sponge soaked in vinegar water.
– If a stain remains, bleach it with a cloth dipped in hydrogen peroxide.
– Then rub with 28% ammonia on a cloth.
Another effective detergent is dishwashing liquid.
Egg stains
To clean an egg stain on rubber:
– Prepare a basin of salt water.
– Immerse the rubber object in the basin.
– Wash with clean water.
Turmeric stains
To remove saffron stains from rubber, place the rubber object in the sun for a while.
Beer stains
To erase a beer stain on plastic or rubber:
– Dilute scouring powder in water.
– Apply the mixture to the stain with a sponge.
– Scrub with the abrasive side of the sponge.
– Clean with clean water.
– Dry with a clean cloth.
Carrot stains
To remove a carrot mark from plastic:
– Rub the stain with a sponge soaked in diluted baking soda.
– Finish the treatment, if necessary, with a cloth moistened with turpentine.
Another effective detergent is sunflower oil.
Spinach stains
To remove a spinach mark from plastic, rub the stain with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol.
Another effective detergent is bleach.
Cleaning household product stains on plastic or rubber
Shoe polish stains
To remove a shoe polish stain from rubber:
– Wash the stain with a mop soaked in soap and water.
– If this fails, gently apply a steel wool pad.
Another effective detergent is scouring powder.
Bleach stains
To remove a bleach stain from rubber:
– Dab the stain with a cloth soaked in ammonia water.
– If traces remain, they are indelible.
Removing organic stains from plastic or rubber
Blood stains
To clean a blood stain from a plastic or rubber object:
– Wash the floor thoroughly with warm water.
– Dab the stain with a cloth dipped in hydrogen peroxide.
– Wipe well with a dry cloth.
Urine stains
To remove a urine stain from plastic:
– Rub the stain with a cloth dipped in diluted ammonia.
– Wash with clean water.
Semen stains
To get rid of a semen stain on plastic: Soap the stain.
Fecal stains
To get rid of a feces stain on plastic:
– Scrape the dirt from the surface with a spoon.
– Wash the stain with a cloth dipped in soap and water.
– If the result is unsatisfactory, repeat the operation by adding bleach to the soap.
– Rinse thoroughly.
– Dry.
Fly droppings stains
To remove fly droppings from rubber, wipe the stained area with a cloth soaked in dishwashing liquid.
Insect stains
To remove an insect stain from rubber:
– Rub the stain with a cloth soaked in bleach and water.
– Rub with a damp cloth.
– Finish drying with a dry cloth.
Bird droppings stains
To remove bird droppings from plastic:
– Wash with clean water. – Soap the stain by adding a little bleach to the soapy water mixture.
Vomit stains
To remove a vomit stain from rubber:
– Scrape to remove an initial layer.
– Scrub with soapy water.
– If you don’t get the desired result, add a few drops of bleach to the soap.
– Rinse off.
– Dry.
Removing cosmetic and health product stains from plastic or rubber
Makeup stains
Got a makeup mark on rubber?
– Rub the stain with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits.
– Brush it off. – Pour Terre de Sommières on the remaining dirt.
Another effective detergent is talcum powder.
Eosin stains
To remove an eosin stain from plastic: dab the stain with a cotton ball soaked in white spirit.
Foundation stains
A foundation stain on plastic?
– Mix mineral spirits with Terre de Sommières.
– Pour the mixture onto the stain.
– Wait a moment.
– Brush off.
Nail polish stains
To remove a nail polish stain on plastic: rub the stain with a cloth soaked in amyl acetate.
Another effective detergent is acetone.
Cleaning stationery and decorative stains on plastic or rubber
Candle stains
To clean candle wax from plastic or rubber:
– Gently scrape with a spoon to remove an initial layer of wax.
– Scrub with water and scouring powder.
– Rinse with cold water.
– Wipe clean.
Other effective detergents: soapy water.
Stains made from fixie dough or play dough
To remove a play dough stain on rubber: wipe the stain with a steel straw moistened with soap and water.
Felt pen and marker ink stains
To erase a felt-tip stain from plastic, use rubbing alcohol.
Permanent ink ballpoint pen stains
To remove ink from rubber:
– Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol.
– Apply to the stain.
Other effective detergents: rubbing alcohol, Acetone.
Fluorescent stains or highlighter
A fluorescent stain will disappear immediately from rubber or plastic with rubbing alcohol.
Stains of blanco
To remove a blanco stain from plastic: rub the stain with an iron straw soaked in white spirit.
Removing various stains from plastic or rubber
Cigarette/burn and nicotine stains
To remove a burn stain from plastic or rubber:
– Dab the stain with a cotton swab soaked in white spirit.
– Finish the cleaning by applying a square of sandpaper with a light back-and-forth motion.
Warning: this solution is not 100% effective. If the stain persists, it cannot be removed.
Stains of unknown origin
To remove a stain of unknown origin from rubber: Soap the stain.
Another effective detergent is a general-purpose stain remover.
If this treatment is insufficient, rub the remaining stain with a cotton swab dipped in a solution of rubbing alcohol.
Other effective detergents: white spirit, and bleach.
List of detergents for cleaning stains on plastic or rubber
– Sandpaper
– Rubbing alcohol
– Acetone
– Scouring powder
– Bottle of odorless mineral spirits
– Terre de Sommières
– Baby powder
– Steel wool/iron wool brushes
– Alcohol at 90
– Bicarbonate of soda
– Vegetable oil
– Lemon juice
– White spirit
– Turpentine oil
– Ammonia
– White vinegar
– Bleach
– Dishwashing liquid
– Table salt
– Soap
– Household alcohol
