No matter how careful we can be, vape juice spills are going to happen... But what happens if you spill vape juice on your brand new white carpet? What happens if your tank leaks all over your prized leather couch? And why do certain vape juices discolor your teeth? All those questions and more will be answered in our newest post below!
HOW, WHY, & WHEN DOES VAPE JUICE STAIN?
In your vaping experiences, you’ve no doubt realized that e-liquids can come in many different colors. Some are perfectly clear, others have a light bluish tinge, some are different shades of yellow, and others are dark yellow or light brown. Over time, these e-liquids can darken as they steep, especially if left in a cool, dark place. I’ve had certain e-liquids darken to a molasses brown and become very sludgy. These steeped e-liquids have a higher chance of staining, so be careful with how long and where you keep your unused vape juices.
Another reason that e-liquids can change color is if they’re left in your tank too long with a dying coil. When your coil cotton starts to burn, it will turn black. That blackened cotton will start to break off into your vape juice, turning your clear or yellow vape juice into an unpleasant brown color. This doesn’t affect the taste of the e-liquid per se, but since the coil is burnt and cannot deliver the pure flavor of the e-liquid, you’ll taste more of the burnt coil than the vape juice. If your tank starts to leak, that brown liquid will definitely cause a stain and you’ll wish you’d change your coil sooner!
In one of our previous articles, we’ve studied in detail what ejuice is made of and how we can make our own at home. Ejuice is made from VG, PG, flavorings, and nicotine; these ingredients do not normally stain garments and fabrics permanently. However, various e-liquids can contain a form of resin that does stain clothes and furniture (and even your teeth!) just like coffee, chili, wine, and grape juice.
These resins can often be removed from clothing with dish soap, warm water, and a regular washing, but what happens when these resins get on your carpet, couch, or teeth? Let’s take a closer look on how to remove vape juice stains from various surfaces and which methods have the most success.
HOW TO GET VAPE JUICE OUT OF CARPETS
In our last article, we talked about how to first attempt the removal of vape juice from clothes. The method for removing e-liquid from carpet is much the same. Whether your tank leaked or you managed to spill an entire bottle onto the carpet, it is critical that you attend to the stain as quickly as possible. That being said, DO NOT try to scrub the juice out. Scrubbing will only drive the e-liquid deeper into the fibers.
DAB AND BLOT. NO SCRUBBING ALLOWED!
If it’s a large amount of e-liquid, try to sop up as much of the e-liquid as possible using a clean paper towel or washcloth. Then grab a clean washcloth and run it under warm water (note: cold water can hinder your progress, as it will help to set the stain instead of removing it). You’ll want the washcloth to be damp, but not soaking. Gently blot the stain with a clean section of the washcloth as many times as necessary until you get the stain out.
If the warm washcloth doesn’t do the trick, you can try using a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda. Baking soda and vinegar combined will create a foaming cleaner that has become a favorite in many households, thanks to its ability to safely lift and remove stains from fibers. As there are many types of vinegar available, make sure you only use white vinegar on the stained area.
Start by saturating the area with the vinegar and sprinkling a bit of baking soda on top of the vinegar. You should see an immediate bubbling as the two ingredients combine; allow the bubbling to continue for a few minutes. Keep an eye on the mixture’s color to see if the vape juice rises through the foam. Once the mixture has stopped bubbling, gently wipe away the foam with a dry scrub brush. Again, don’t scrub the stain, but rather lightly run the brush over the stain, much like you’d brush lint off your shoulder. You can use a vacuum hose attachment to suck up any leftover baking soda and water, but steer clear of running the vacuum cleaner over it until you’re sure the area is completely dry.
WHY CAN’T I JUST USE BLEACH OR LAUNDRY DETERGENT?
While it’s true that bleach is an excellent way to remove stains from clothing, using it on carpets and upholstery can easily damage and ruin the color. It’s very tempting to use bleach especially on white carpets, but you might whiten the carpet to the point that the rest of the carpet will be dull in comparison, thus making the stained area even more noticeable!
Same thing with laundry detergent. While it might clean the area very well, it will be extremely difficult to completely remove the detergent from the carpet. Overtime, dirt will stick to the detergent-coated fibers and the area will become very noticeable.
HOW TO GET VAPE JUICE OUT OF LEATHER & SUEDE
Leather stains, whether it be on your favorite leather jacket or comfy leather chair, can be treated using a variety of methods. As soon as the spill happens, blot the stain with a dry microfiber cloth. Microfibers are better than washcloths in that they won’t scratch the leather and are softer applicators. Once you’ve blotted as much of the e-liquid as you can, sprinkle some talcum powder on the blotted stain. Allow the talcum powder to sit for a few hours before you blot the stain again with a clean microfiber cloth.
If the stain still persists, try mixing a bit of dish detergent and distilled water together. Dip a section of a clean microfiber cloth into the soapy water and dab it across the stained leather. Wet a section of a fresh clean microfiber cloth under warm water and dab the area to remove the soapy water. Pat the area dry with a clean dry microfiber and examine the area to see if the stain is gone.
You can also create several stronger cleansers for stains that are more resilient, using a few common kitchen ingredients. For the first homemade cleanser, you’ll need a tablespoon of baking soda (not to be confused with baking powder), ⅜ cup of distilled water, ½ teaspoon of white flour, and ⅛ cup of seal salt. Combine these four ingredients into a paste and scoop up a small amount using a clean microfiber cloth. Gently dab the paste onto a small area of the stain and use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe it off. You can repeat this process as often as needed until the stain is removed.
For the second cleanser, combine equal amounts of white vinegar and water. A third cleanser uses one part vinegar and two pars linseed oil. And finally, equal parts cream of tartar and lemon juice make up the fourth cleanser. Just like with the first cleanser paste, be sure to dab and blot the stain as you work, never allowing the cleansers to sit for more than a few seconds.
All of these cleansers work on leather as well as suede, but be careful not to damage the suede’s nap. Consider investing in a fabric brush or soft-bristled suede once the area is cleaned and the stain is removed.
HOW TO REMOVE STAINS FROM TEETH
You may remember that one particular article a few weeks ago talked about how one vape juice discolored my teeth. Granted, it was only temporary and came off after brushing my teeth, but it was still embarrassing to walk around like that until I could get home. The easiest solution would be to not use that vape juice anymore, but it’s a good idea to check your teeth often and practice good oral hygiene. If you do happen to notice your teeth turning brown because of a particular e-juice, consider switching to a 0mg nicotine version of that juice or finding a similar flavor in a different brand.
E-liquids in general don’t stain your teeth like cigarettes because they do not contain tar; you also have the many nicotine options. However, certain vapors and resins can discolor your teeth as they get heated, leaving behind an ugly brown or yellow residue on your front teeth. Be mindful when trying out a new vape juice for the first time and make sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day to keep those pearly whites at their best!
If you feel that your teeth have been permanently discolored, you can look into at-home whitening kits or even a professional dental whitening to enhance your tooth color. But make sure to consult your dentist before embarking on a teeth-whitening excursion.
What methods have you found that worked for you to get out stains? Share your tips below!
HOW, WHY, & WHEN DOES VAPE JUICE STAIN?
In your vaping experiences, you’ve no doubt realized that e-liquids can come in many different colors. Some are perfectly clear, others have a light bluish tinge, some are different shades of yellow, and others are dark yellow or light brown. Over time, these e-liquids can darken as they steep, especially if left in a cool, dark place. I’ve had certain e-liquids darken to a molasses brown and become very sludgy. These steeped e-liquids have a higher chance of staining, so be careful with how long and where you keep your unused vape juices.
Another reason that e-liquids can change color is if they’re left in your tank too long with a dying coil. When your coil cotton starts to burn, it will turn black. That blackened cotton will start to break off into your vape juice, turning your clear or yellow vape juice into an unpleasant brown color. This doesn’t affect the taste of the e-liquid per se, but since the coil is burnt and cannot deliver the pure flavor of the e-liquid, you’ll taste more of the burnt coil than the vape juice. If your tank starts to leak, that brown liquid will definitely cause a stain and you’ll wish you’d change your coil sooner!
In one of our previous articles, we’ve studied in detail what ejuice is made of and how we can make our own at home. Ejuice is made from VG, PG, flavorings, and nicotine; these ingredients do not normally stain garments and fabrics permanently. However, various e-liquids can contain a form of resin that does stain clothes and furniture (and even your teeth!) just like coffee, chili, wine, and grape juice.
These resins can often be removed from clothing with dish soap, warm water, and a regular washing, but what happens when these resins get on your carpet, couch, or teeth? Let’s take a closer look on how to remove vape juice stains from various surfaces and which methods have the most success.
HOW TO GET VAPE JUICE OUT OF CARPETS
In our last article, we talked about how to first attempt the removal of vape juice from clothes. The method for removing e-liquid from carpet is much the same. Whether your tank leaked or you managed to spill an entire bottle onto the carpet, it is critical that you attend to the stain as quickly as possible. That being said, DO NOT try to scrub the juice out. Scrubbing will only drive the e-liquid deeper into the fibers.
DAB AND BLOT. NO SCRUBBING ALLOWED!
If it’s a large amount of e-liquid, try to sop up as much of the e-liquid as possible using a clean paper towel or washcloth. Then grab a clean washcloth and run it under warm water (note: cold water can hinder your progress, as it will help to set the stain instead of removing it). You’ll want the washcloth to be damp, but not soaking. Gently blot the stain with a clean section of the washcloth as many times as necessary until you get the stain out.
If the warm washcloth doesn’t do the trick, you can try using a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda. Baking soda and vinegar combined will create a foaming cleaner that has become a favorite in many households, thanks to its ability to safely lift and remove stains from fibers. As there are many types of vinegar available, make sure you only use white vinegar on the stained area.
Start by saturating the area with the vinegar and sprinkling a bit of baking soda on top of the vinegar. You should see an immediate bubbling as the two ingredients combine; allow the bubbling to continue for a few minutes. Keep an eye on the mixture’s color to see if the vape juice rises through the foam. Once the mixture has stopped bubbling, gently wipe away the foam with a dry scrub brush. Again, don’t scrub the stain, but rather lightly run the brush over the stain, much like you’d brush lint off your shoulder. You can use a vacuum hose attachment to suck up any leftover baking soda and water, but steer clear of running the vacuum cleaner over it until you’re sure the area is completely dry.
WHY CAN’T I JUST USE BLEACH OR LAUNDRY DETERGENT?
While it’s true that bleach is an excellent way to remove stains from clothing, using it on carpets and upholstery can easily damage and ruin the color. It’s very tempting to use bleach especially on white carpets, but you might whiten the carpet to the point that the rest of the carpet will be dull in comparison, thus making the stained area even more noticeable!
Same thing with laundry detergent. While it might clean the area very well, it will be extremely difficult to completely remove the detergent from the carpet. Overtime, dirt will stick to the detergent-coated fibers and the area will become very noticeable.
HOW TO GET VAPE JUICE OUT OF LEATHER & SUEDE
Leather stains, whether it be on your favorite leather jacket or comfy leather chair, can be treated using a variety of methods. As soon as the spill happens, blot the stain with a dry microfiber cloth. Microfibers are better than washcloths in that they won’t scratch the leather and are softer applicators. Once you’ve blotted as much of the e-liquid as you can, sprinkle some talcum powder on the blotted stain. Allow the talcum powder to sit for a few hours before you blot the stain again with a clean microfiber cloth.
If the stain still persists, try mixing a bit of dish detergent and distilled water together. Dip a section of a clean microfiber cloth into the soapy water and dab it across the stained leather. Wet a section of a fresh clean microfiber cloth under warm water and dab the area to remove the soapy water. Pat the area dry with a clean dry microfiber and examine the area to see if the stain is gone.
You can also create several stronger cleansers for stains that are more resilient, using a few common kitchen ingredients. For the first homemade cleanser, you’ll need a tablespoon of baking soda (not to be confused with baking powder), ⅜ cup of distilled water, ½ teaspoon of white flour, and ⅛ cup of seal salt. Combine these four ingredients into a paste and scoop up a small amount using a clean microfiber cloth. Gently dab the paste onto a small area of the stain and use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe it off. You can repeat this process as often as needed until the stain is removed.
For the second cleanser, combine equal amounts of white vinegar and water. A third cleanser uses one part vinegar and two pars linseed oil. And finally, equal parts cream of tartar and lemon juice make up the fourth cleanser. Just like with the first cleanser paste, be sure to dab and blot the stain as you work, never allowing the cleansers to sit for more than a few seconds.
All of these cleansers work on leather as well as suede, but be careful not to damage the suede’s nap. Consider investing in a fabric brush or soft-bristled suede once the area is cleaned and the stain is removed.
HOW TO REMOVE STAINS FROM TEETH
You may remember that one particular article a few weeks ago talked about how one vape juice discolored my teeth. Granted, it was only temporary and came off after brushing my teeth, but it was still embarrassing to walk around like that until I could get home. The easiest solution would be to not use that vape juice anymore, but it’s a good idea to check your teeth often and practice good oral hygiene. If you do happen to notice your teeth turning brown because of a particular e-juice, consider switching to a 0mg nicotine version of that juice or finding a similar flavor in a different brand.
E-liquids in general don’t stain your teeth like cigarettes because they do not contain tar; you also have the many nicotine options. However, certain vapors and resins can discolor your teeth as they get heated, leaving behind an ugly brown or yellow residue on your front teeth. Be mindful when trying out a new vape juice for the first time and make sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day to keep those pearly whites at their best!
If you feel that your teeth have been permanently discolored, you can look into at-home whitening kits or even a professional dental whitening to enhance your tooth color. But make sure to consult your dentist before embarking on a teeth-whitening excursion.
What methods have you found that worked for you to get out stains? Share your tips below!
