If you accidentally spill oil on your clothes, carpet, or furniture upholstery, you may be concerned that the fabric may be damaged. Fortunately, stuck-on grease can be easily removed with a few household products. Regardless of the type of oil (e.g. vehicle oil, cooking oil, butter, salad dressing), mayonnaise, petroleum jelly, make-up, deodorant, and other oil-based products) and whether the oil is new or has been stuck for a long time, your cloth will be back clean in no time.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Washing Clothes
Step 1. Remove as much oil as possible from the clothes
After the oil spills, use a tissue to remove as much of the oil as possible from the cloth. Don't rub your clothes, as the oil will spread to other parts of the fabric.
Step 2. Check the garment care marker
Before dealing with oil stains, read the care instructions on the marker. If the clothes can only be cleaned using the dry cleaning method, take them to the dry cleaners as soon as possible. If not, find out if the clothes can be washed normally or need to be washed manually (by hand) and dried stretched out on a flat surface (or hung up instead). Also pay attention to the required temperature requirements and adjust the stain removal strategy as necessary.
For example, if the instructions say that clothes should only be washed in cold water, use cold water instead of hot water in the following steps
Step 3. Sprinkle talcum powder or other powder on the stain and let sit for 30 minutes
You can use baby powder, baking soda, talc, cornstarch, or waterless mechanical soap to remove the stain from the fabric. Sprinkle the powder on the oil stain and let it sit for 30 minutes to absorb as much oil as possible. After that, use a spoon to scrape the oil and powder from the clothes.
Alternatively, you can rub chalk on the spot to remove the oil
Step 4. Scrub the stain with soap and water
Rinse the cloth with hot water, then drip a small amount of dish soap on the stain. Rub the soap into the clothes using a toothbrush, then rinse the cloth with hot water.
- You can use clear (transparent) or colored dish soap. Just make sure the soap doesn't contain any moisturizer.
- Alternatively, you can use shampoo, soap or laundry detergent, and aloe vera gel.
Step 5. Wash the stained clothes
As long as the clothes are machine washable, you can put them in the washing machine and clean them as usual. Follow the directions on the product care label to find the hottest water temperature that won't damage the fabric. If the garment is very soft and prone to damage, wash the fabric by hand.
If the clothes are easily damaged, use a mild detergent product
Step 6. Let the clothes air dry if the stain is still there
Before putting the clothes in the dryer, check to see if the oil stain has disappeared. You may need to let your clothes air out so you can check them once they're dry. If you put your clothes in the dryer while the grease stains haven't gone away, the heat from the machine will cause the stains to stick to the fabric.
Make sure you air dry delicate and perishable clothes to dry them instead of a tumble dryer
Step 7. Remove stubborn stains using a hairspray or WD-40 product
If the stain is still visible after the clothes have dried, you can still remove them from the clothes. Spray a hairspray or WD-40 on the stained area. Let stand for 20 minutes, then wash the clothes again as usual.
- Even though WD-40 is an oil, it works by “reactivating” the oil that has stuck to it so that it can be removed easily through the washing process.
- Do not use WD-40 products on soft and easily damaged clothing.
Method 2 of 2: Cleaning Furniture Upholstery and Carpets
Step 1. Remove excess oil
Use an old towel or tissue to remove as much oil as possible. Do not rub the towel against the cloth to prevent the oil from spreading.
Step 2. Sprinkle some powder or powder on the stained area and let it sit for 15 minutes
Use baking soda, talc, baby powder, or corn starch to absorb the oil. Sprinkle the powder on the stain and let it sit for 15 minutes.
Step 3. Scrape off the powder and repeat the process if necessary
Use a spoon to scrape off the powder or point the vacuum cleaner at the stain to remove the powder and oil. If the oil is still visible on the fabric, sprinkle some fresh powder or powder on the stain and let it sit for another 15 minutes. After that, scrape or lift it again using a spoon or a vacuum cleaner.
Step 4. Lift the cloth using a mixture of soapy water or solvent
Mix 470 ml of cold water and 1 tablespoon of dish soap in a bowl or bucket. Dip a clean patch of cloth in the soapy water mixture and dab it on the stain to lift it. Continue to blot the fabric until the stain is gone.
Alternatively, you can use a dry cleaning solvent or Lestoil instead of the soapy water mixture. Make sure you test it on an inconspicuous area of the fabric first
Step 5. Remove the soap with a clean damp sponge
Wet the sponge with cold water. Press the sponge against the stain to remove any remaining soap, solvent, or Lestoil and oil.
Step 6. Absorb any remaining liquid and let the cloth dry
Blot a clean towel over the still wet area to absorb as much liquid as possible. After that, let the cloth air dry.
