How to Get Barium Stains Out of Fabric

Soak stained clothing in a bucket.

When barium ends up on your clothes, act fast to remove the stain before it's absorbed into the fibers.

1. Place 1/2 cup all-fabric bleach in a bucket and add 1 gallon lukewarm water. Stir the bleach into the water until it's dissolved.

2. Soak your barium-stained fabric in the bleach solution for a minimum of 30 minutes. If the stain is large or dried, leave the fabric in the bleach solution overnight.

3. Remove the fabric from the bucket and rinse under cool water. Rub the fabric together as you flush it to loosen the dye stains.

4. Rub prewash stain remover onto the remaining barium stains. Leave the stain remover on the fabric for 10 minutes to further loosen the dye stain.

5. Launder your garment with heavy-duty laundry detergent and all-fabric bleach. Before you place your clothes in the dryer, check to make sure the barium stain is completely removed. The heat from the dryer will set any stain that remains.

Tip

Dampen your stained fabric and pour a small amount of laundry detergent onto the barium stain. Scrub the detergent into the fabric fibers with a toothbrush to loosen and remove the stain. If the stain is fresh, flush it as quickly as possible with cool water or soak the fabric.