Fabric softener can make clothes soft and fresh, but it can also leave greasy stains. Fortunately, in most cases, these stains can be easily removed with soap and water, so fabric softener stains are almost never permanent. When you wash clothes, take additional steps to prevent the fabric softener stains from appearing again.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Remove Light Stains
Step 1. Wet the stain on your clothes with warm or hot water
Check the label and use the hottest safe water for the clothes you want to clean. If your clothes can only be washed in cold water, use cold water so you don't damage your clothes.
Step 2. Take a plain bar of soap
Choose a white bar soap that does not contain dyes, fragrances, lotions or other additives. Use plain, old-fashioned bar soap. If you don't have a plain bar of soap, try using this:
- A few drops of dish soap
- A few drops of shampoo
- A few drops of liquid bath soap
Step 3. Scrub the stain with soap
Press the soap firmly into the stain and rub constantly so that the soap soaks into the fibers of the garment. If you use dish soap, shampoo or body wash, use your fingers to rub the soap into the stain.
Step 4. Wash your clothes in the washing machine
Use the right type of cycle for the clothes you are washing. This time, don't add fabric softener!
Step 5. Dry your clothes as usual
After the drying cycle is complete, the stain should be completely gone. If you still see fabric softener stains, repeat the process.
Part 2 of 3: Removing Stubborn Stains
Step 1. Wet the stain on your clothes with warm or hot water
Check the label and use the hottest safe water for the clothes you want to clean. If your clothes can only be washed in cold water, use cold water so you don't damage your clothes.
Step 2. Rub liquid detergent onto the stain
Concentrated liquid detergent contains strong substances that can lift stains. Use only on stubborn or very large fabric softener stains.
Step 3. Let the detergent soak in
Let the clothes sit for a few minutes to allow the detergent to soak into the stain as a pre-cleaning step.
Step 4. Wash the clothes using the hottest safe water
Use hot water whenever possible, but if the clothing label says "cold water only," you should follow the rules to prevent damage. Add the same detergent you used before into the washing machine.
Step 5. Dry your clothes as usual
After the drying cycle is complete, the stain should be completely gone. If you still see fabric softener stains, repeat the process.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Fabric Softener Stains
Step 1. Follow the instructions on the back of your fabric softener package
Most of the time, stains are the result of not following the instructions correctly. If you use too much fabric softener, for example, the remaining fabric softener will stain.
Step 2. Consider reducing fabric softener
Concentrated fabric softener is more likely to stain than the diluted version of fabric softener. To thin, pour your fabric softener into the dispenser, then pour in the same amount of water as the fabric softener (say as much as a bottle cap). Diluted fabric softener won't leave stains on your clothes.
Step 3. Do not pour fabric softener directly on your clothes
If your washing machine does not have a dispenser, wait until the machine is full of water before adding fabric softener. Pouring fabric softener over dry clothes will make the stain more likely to remain.
Step 4. Use white vinegar as a natural fabric softener
Vinegar works the same as fabric softener without staining. Pour a cup of white vinegar into the fabric softener dispenser while you're washing. The smell will go away after you finish washing and drying.
Tips
- Liquid dish soap can replace pure bar soap.
- To prevent the fabric softener from pouring directly onto the clothes, pour the fabric softener into the machine while it is filling with water. Allow the machine to stir the water and fabric softener before you fill it with clothes for washing.
- Some people use rubbing alcohol on a sponge and then they rub the sponge over the fabric softener stain. While this method may work on some clothes, it can be dangerous on others. Always check your clothing labels to see if the alcohol will damage your clothes before trying this method of removing fabric softener stains.
Warning
- Do not put too many clothes in the washing machine. Filling too many clothes in the washing machine is a common reason for fabric softener stains.
- Avoid using fabric softener on clothes that are not designed to be washed with fabric softener. Check clothing labels for washing instructions and verify that fabric softener is safe to use on certain garments. Generally, fabric softener should not be used to wash athletic clothing, as it may compromise the function of the garment.
- Some liquid detergents may even stain. Make sure you choose one specially formulated to help combat fabric softener stains.
- Avoid pouring fabric softener directly on wet clothes. This can cause the fabric softener to soak into the clothes, resulting in unwanted stains.
- High settings in the washer and dryer may be contributing to the appearance of fabric softener stains on your clothes.
