Stain advice please.

Nurses General Nursing

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Anyone know how to remove Tincture of Benzoin from scrubs. They are just plain Carolina Blue, but a favorite pair of mine. I though it would just come out so I washed them in cold water wash and dried them in the drier. Should I try an adhesive remover, or are these pants history? Thanks a bunch.

I don't know how to get that out but I can tell you that I have had problems with granulex that you spray on people's heels so they don't break down.I have had to throw out three tops for this. I am definitely sympathetic.

Try FELS-NAPTHA. It's a heavy duty laundry soap that comes in a bar it gets out almost anything!

[/b] Check the ingredients on the package insert. I suspect you're going to need ether to remove the stains. Just guessing. Good luck. MS

Hi Sheba,

Our Benzoin comes in little squeeze sticks, no package insert (sort of like the pop open ammonia) are you recommending trying ether? Or saying either? How would the ether work- we still use it occasionally for the odd thing or two, and I work next to the OR so I can get a hold of it, if it will work, I'll try it. Everything else has come out of these scrubs- blood, hurricaine spray, all sorts of goo-ky, libocaine, everything but this benzoin.

Sorry no advice, but a funny tincture of benzoin story. Many years ago, it did come in glass bottles (not just swabs). I knocked a bottle off the top of a med cart and it splattered all over the walls in the med room. It could not be cleaned. They had to repaint the walls! Major embarrassment!

Originally posted by hollykate:

Anyone know how to remove Tincture of Benzoin from scrubs. They are just plain Carolina Blue, but a favorite pair of mine. I though it would just come out so I washed them in cold water wash and dried them in the drier. Should I try an adhesive remover, or are these pants history? Thanks a bunch.

hollykate

Try a product called Zout. I have found that it takes out just about everything I can manage to get myself into!!! It works really well on betadine and so it should work on the benzoin. You may have to treat it a couple of times but it should work.

Sonnie

Hi chrn,

we used to get benzoin in the bottles too- and your story was quite convincing. I am not going to try to get that stain out!!! I get my scrubs free from the hospital. This pair was from an old hospital- so I was sentimental over them- oh well, they were always too big anyway.

Dear Hollykate,

I am so sorry to hear of your distressing experience in stain removal. With all you have already tried, I am afraid you have little recourse. The stain is well-set by now. You might try experimenting with re-dyeing your favorite scrubs. Caroline Blue sounds like a lovely color.

Good Luck, Heloise

Hollykate: Ether as in anesthetic or solvent. I usually call the pharmacy for package insert information. If it is an ingredient, maybe it will work to take it out. Actually, hunny, I have learned to wear my stains with pride. It's a Tao thing. Also, dying might result in some interesting contrasts. Don't give up yet. If worse comes to worse, scrubs, especially if a little large, make great jammies. Let us know what happens. MS

Dear Mustang,

Since our hospital gives us our scrubs, stains (even if they are well earned) are looked down upon. However, I am thinking a lovely navy volor might just do the trick. and if I ever use that granulex stuff mentioned above, I think I will encase myslef in a ORSA gown first! YOu guys are so great for all this help with a stain!!!

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