Hydroquinone is a chemical skin bleach found in creams that are marketed as skin lighteners. It is commonly found in skin lighteners for armpit areas. When hydroquinone cream comes in contact with clothing, it can cause discoloration of the cloth. Preventing discoloration is possible by they way the clothing is handled before and during the washing of the clothes.
Wipe off excess cream from the clothing by using a spoon. Do not spread the cream onto blemished areas of the clothing. Do not press the cream further into the material by rubbing it with a towel.
Rinse the stained area of the cloth under cold water, but do not use soap. Massage the stained area gently with your fingers to try and work the cream out of the clothing fibers.
Spray the stained area of the clothing with a spot-treating fabric cleaner. Put the item of clothing in the washer if it is washable. Wash the stained article of clothing separately to avoid contaminating and discoloring other clothing items.
Take the article of clothing to the dry cleaner's within one day of the stain if the material is dry clean only.
Warning
Use only cold water when washing your stained clothing. Heat in the form of wash water, dryer heat or ironing will set in the discoloration, making it permanent.
