How can I remove this chenical stain from a whhite cotton t-shirt. I'm talking about the blue liquid product that's used to brighten whites, but a couple of drops fell on the t-shirt and bleach won't get them out. HELP, please:confused:

This happened to me once before and I called the company and all they were able to tell me was that the stain would fade over time after repeated washes. They ended up sending me some coupons/concessions for my trouble. Depending on the exact product, I'd recommend calling the toll-free number on the package to ask because they know exactly what's in the product and can best tell you how to counter it.

If you're looking for a chemical reaction, and if that stain is due to copper sulphate, you can try adding aqueous zinc solution to it. The zinc will displace the sulphate, and you'll have a reddish brown residue (solid) that you can remove, that's copper metal.

if that stain is due to copper sulphate, you can try adding aqueous zinc solution to it.

Also, if it's copper sulfate (or sulphate, if you prefer), ammonia will form a very soluble amine complex with copper. You can easily wash it out (it will turn deep blue after it forms, but that won't bother anything). However, I doubt that bluing agents, in general, contain copper. I think they're typically organic chemicals that absorb the yellow. However, since bleach won't get it out, it's definitely possible that it's an inorganic salt.

Ah OK. For the sulfate... I always have the tendency to use ph instead of f. I know it will no longer be in use for my exams, but I always forget... :(

::hits head on the desk::

Nothing wrong with sulphate instead of sulfate -- unless you're some sort of purist. I still occasionally write sulphuric acid.

I just have to have that habit of writing sulfate for my next year's exams... :(

Anyway, I'll try my best. Sometimes I get it, but at other times I don't...

Sorry for the hijacking ellevestar.