Grease and oil stains are the most unwanted and the hardest stains residing on your clothes if left untreated. Oil stains are quite daunting to deal with and can also leave you in deep distress. Apart from that, your clothes also lose their charm and shine. If the spots and stains are quite visible, they ultimately make those clothes useless.
However, when you know some quick and effective home remedies to remove oil stains, the cleaning task becomes easier. If you also want to learn how to remove oil stains from clothes at home, this guide can help you the best. Here you can learn multiple home remedies to remove oil stains with ease.
Read the following sections to know why oil stains are quite daunting to deal with, the cleaning remedies, and some quick tips. Now, you don’t have to worry about spills while having your favorite food. Just learn these methods and keep your clothes sparkling fresh.
Why Are Oil Stains Hard To Remove?
What’s in this article?
Before we delve into the cleaning process, you should know the factors that make oil stain removal hard. You can’t assume a single factor to be the culprit. The following section covers the major factors responsible for the stubborn nature of oil stains. Let’s have a look at some of them:
- Composition of Oil: Oils are composed of non-polar molecules. This is the reason you can’t remove them from clothing. Most laundry detergents are water-primarily based. This makes it hard to interrupt down and lift oil stains from fabric.
- Absorption: When oil comes into contact with cloth, it tends to penetrate and take into the fibers in place of in the end on the ground. This absorption makes it difficult for conventional cleaning products to remove the oil stains from the material.
- Chemical Structure: The chemical form of oils also makes them resistant to conventional cleaning techniques. Many oils are hydrophobic, which means that they repel water. This is why they shape robust bonds with material fibers ultimately growing their adherence and resistance to removal.
- Set-In Stains: Oil stains can become stubborn and set in the fabric material when not treated right away. This makes the removal process even tougher. The warm temperature from drying machines or ironing can cause the oil stains to bond stronger with the fabric fibers. This boosts the problem of elimination.
- Type of Fabric: The fabric type is also responsible for the hard removal of oil stains. Fabrics with a looser weave or greater porous texture can lure oil easily. You can’t clean such fabrics with super ease. Additionally, delicate fabrics are extra sensitive to harsh cleansing options which reduces the alternatives for stain elimination.
- Variety of Oils: Different kinds of oils have various tiers related to stain removal. This is true when talking about cooking oils like olive oil or grease from mechanical assets. They can depart in particular cussed stains due to their viscous nature and composition.
- Time: Time is an important factor when it comes to determining the stain elimination process. The longer an oil stain is left untreated, the more it may penetrate and set into the fabric. This makes it even more challenging to remove.
How To Remove Oil Stains From Clothes: Multiple Home Remedies Explained
It’s time to delve into the intricacies of learning how to remove oil stains from clothes at home. As no confirmed method can clean up oil stains from all fabric types, we’ve elaborated on some of the most commonly used ones. You can opt for either of them as per your needs and cleaning requirements.
Step 1 : The List Of Required Tools
As we’ve elaborated on multiple methods, the list of required tools and supplies may vary according to the particular chosen method. However, some of the major and common supplies may include the following:
- Soft-bristled Brush
- Spoon or Spatula
- Old Toothbrush
- Paper Towels
- Clean Clothes
- Warm Water
- Mild Liquid Soap
- Dishwashing Detergent
- Baking Soda
- White Vinegar
- Commercial Stain Remover
- Laundry Pre-treatment Spray
- Baby Powder
- Talcum Powder
Step 2 : Using Baby Powder or Talcum Powder
You may use the following methods and steps if the oil stains on your clothes are fresh. This method will not work on dried or older oil stains. Here’s how to do it:
- If the oil stain is fresh, start by blotting the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb as much oil as possible. Avoid rubbing the stain, as this can spread it further.
- Liberally sprinkle baby powder or talcum powder over the oil stain, ensuring that it completely covers the affected area. The powder will work to absorb the oil from the fabric.
- Leave the baby powder on the stain for at least 15-20 minutes to allow it time to absorb the oil. For more stubborn stains, you can leave the powder on overnight.
- After the powder has had time to absorb the oil, use a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush to brush off the excess powder from the fabric with mild pressure. Be careful not to scrub too vigorously to avoid damaging the fabric.
- If the stain persists after the first application, you can repeat the process by applying another layer of baby powder and allowing it to set again.
- Once you’ve removed as much of the oil stain as possible with the baby powder, launder the garment, as usual, using your regular laundry detergent and the appropriate water temperature for the fabric.
- After washing, inspect the garment to ensure that the oil stain has been completely removed. If any traces of the stain remain, you can repeat the process or try alternative stain removal methods.
- Finally, air-dry or tumble-dry the garment according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Heat sources are not allowed after oil stain removal.
- Avoid applying heat to the stain until you are sure it has been completely removed, as heat can set the stain further into the fabric.
Step 3 : Using Stain Remover
This is another quick method that can be effective in cleaning the fresh oil stains from your clothing items. The major steps to accomplish this task are mentioned below:
- Foremost, you’ve to determine if the stains are fresh. Blot up excessive oil from fresh stains to prevent them from spreading all over. If there are set-in stains, you may proceed with the further steps.
- Shake the bottle of commercial stain remover properly. You need to do this to allow proper mixture. Now, spray or apply the stain remover immediately onto the oil stain, covering the affected vicinity.
- Let the stain remover stay on the fabric for no more than 5 minutes. This is important to permit it to penetrate the fibers and break down the oil stains. This will assist loosen the stain and make it less difficult to get rid of.
- After permitting the stain remover to work, use a smooth-bristled brush or toothbrush to scrub the stained area with mild pressure. You must avoid putting excessive pressure as it may damage the cloth.
- After scrubbing, check the stain to see whether it is removed or not. If the stain is still visible, you may repeat the same steps until the stain is eliminated.
- Once the stain vanishes, rinse the fabric thoroughly with clean warm water. Give it a thorough rinse to take away any ultimate stain remover and loosened oil residue.
- After rinsing, look at the garment to make sure that the oil stain has been removed. If any traces of the stain remain, you could repeat the process until the desired level of cleaning is achieved.
- When all is done, you can wash your clothing items as usual. Take your normal laundry detergent and the ideal water temperature for the fabric and give it a random machine or handwash.
- Finally, air-dry the garment in step with the producer’s commands. Avoid applying heat to the stain until the stains are removed effectively. Doing so can allow heat to set the stain further into the fabric.
Step 4 : Using Baking Soda and Vinegar
If there are stubborn stains and hard oil spots on the clothing items, then the cleaning solution of baking soda and vinegar can do the work. Here are the steps that can help you to remove oil stains from clothes easily and quickly.
- If the stain is fresh, consider blotting the stain with a clean fabric or paper towel to soak the maximum amount of oil possible.
- Now take baking soda and sprinkle it all over the oil stain. Make certain that it completely covers the affected surface. Baking soda is an effective element that helps in removing grease and oil stains from the fabric surface.
- Leave the baking soda on the stain for no more than ten minutes. This will allow baking soda to absorb oil effectively. You can leave baking soda in the same condition for a complete day if the stains are excessively stubborn.
- In a small bowl or container, take water and vinegar in a ratio of 1:1. Mix both components to create a vinegar solution. You may prepare a mixture using half a cup of vinegar with 1/2 cup of water.
- Using a smooth fabric or spray bottle, apply the vinegar solution to the stained area, making sure that it covers each part of the stained cloth. Vinegar helps to break down and dissolve the oil residue trapped in the material fibers.
- After applying the vinegar solution, use a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush. Work softly and scrub the stained vicinity in a round motion. This allows to agitate the baking soda and vinegar mixture, which helps in loosening the hard stains.
- Once you’ve finished scrubbing, rinse the cloth thoroughly with cold water to dispose of any baking soda, vinegar, and loosened oil residue.
- After rinsing, inspect the garment to ensure that the oil stain has been completely removed. If any lines of the stain persist, you can repeat the steps until you are satisfied with the cleaning process.
- After that wash your clothing items using your normal laundry detergent. Remember to ensure the right water temperature for the cloth.
- Finally, air-dry or tumble-dry the garment according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Avoid using any type of heat source as warmness can set the stain similarly into the fabric.
Also Read : How to Clean Up Honey Spills and Stains
Final Thoughts: How To Remove Oil Stains From Clothes
Removing oil stains from clothes is generally daunting. However, when you know how to remove oil stains from clothes using quick home remedies, you can do it effortlessly. Incorporate the methods mentioned above for easy oil stain removal at home. Always choose the cleaning method according to the severity of stains and fabric type. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for particular fabric types for a safe and effective cleaning process.