Vaseline has many uses, but it can't be used for clothes! This oil-based jelly can leave stains on clothes even after several washes. Luckily, there are a few tricks you can try to remove oil stains and make clothes look new with ingredients you have at home. If you have dish soap, rubbing alcohol, or vinegar at home, you don't have to say goodbye to your favorite t-shirt at home!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Scrubbing Clothes with Dishwashing Soap
Step 1. Scrape off the remaining Vaseline from the cloth with a blunt object
It is very important to remove any remaining Vaseline to prevent excess oil from soaking into the fabric. Use a butter knife or similar utensil to scrape it clean.
Work slowly and be careful not to spread the Vaseline further
Step 2. Scrub the cloth with dish soap
Take a small amount of dish soap (eg Sunlight brand) and rub it into the stained area. Place your hands inside and outside the garment and rub them together to ensure that the soap soaks into the fabric and spreads over the entire surface of the stain.
You can also use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean the lint! However, this is not recommended for thin fabrics (such as pima cotton) as they can tear or stretch the threads
Step 3. Rinse off the soap from the stained area with warm or hot water
Turn on the tap with warm or hot water and wet the area of the newly cleaned garment to remove any soap (and grease) residue. The stain should have lifted slightly so the fabric doesn't feel too greasy.
If you spilled a lot of Vaseline on the cloth or it's been sitting there for a long time, you may need to scrub the dish soap a few times to see the change
Step 4. Apply a stain remover product on the cloth and let it sit for 10 minutes
Applying stain remover to the fabric will remove stubborn oil stains that have been stuck for a long time. Just make sure you read the stain removal product instructions carefully to prevent discoloration (especially if the formula contains bleach).
If you don't have a stain remover on hand, you can also use liquid detergent to wash clothes or rub bar soap on the dirty area
Step 5. Rinse the stain in the sink with hot water after applying the stain remover
Wash off all soap or stain remover with hot water. Heat the water for a while so you don't accidentally splash cold water. Cold water can't remove stains and can actually allow the oil to seep into the fibers of the fabric.
If the label tells you to wash it in cold water, you can still use warm water to clean the stained area
Step 6. Wash the clothes in very hot water
You can wash it by hand in the sink or in the washing machine. Just make sure you use hot water to remove the stains and grease from the fabric fibers. If you're afraid that hot water might shrink your clothes, use warm water instead.
- Check the clothing care label to make sure it can be exposed to hot water! Otherwise, you can use warm water which won't cause lightning shrinkage like hot water.
- Don't put the clothes in the dryer if the stains are still visible after the clothes are washed! This will only allow the stain to sink in. If the stain has not disappeared, handle and wash the stain again until clean.
Method 2 of 3: Using Rubbing Alcohol
Step 1. Wipe off the remaining Vaseline with a blunt object or kitchen paper
To prevent the stain from spreading or sinking in, it's very important to get rid of any remaining Vaseline as soon as possible. Use a dull knife or dry paper towels to scrape or clean the Vaseline.
The faster the Vaseline residue is removed, the greater the chance of removing the stain
Step 2. Gently dab the alcohol onto the stained area
Rubbing alcohol (also known as isopropyl alcohol) is a bleaching agent that can treat stains that soap and water can't! Use a clean dry cloth or cotton swab to dab the rubbing alcohol on the stain and rub it in small motions. Press occasionally to make sure the alcohol is completely absorbed.
- Depending on the fabric and the quality of the dye used, you may need to test the alcohol use in a hidden area to check for discoloration.
- Be careful when cleaning thinner or fragile fabrics.
Step 3. Let the rubbing alcohol dry
Allow the rubbing alcohol to soak into the stain until it dries before washing it off. This process takes about 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the thickness of the material and the size of the stain.
Step 4. Rub liquid dishwashing detergent onto the stained area
Dishwashing detergent is a cleaning product that can remove excess oil from fabrics. Place your hands on either side of the garment to rub it until it foams.
Be careful when washing thin fabrics
Step 5. Rinse the stain with hot or warm water and let it dry
Turn on the hot water tap and wait for it to get really hot. When it's hot, position the stained area just below the faucet. Make sure that no cold water touches the stain, as cold water can soak the oil stain while hot or warm water can wash it off.
- You can use a clean towel to pat the stain dry or let it dry on its own.
- If the stain hasn't gone away, apply a detergent or stain remover until the stain is gone.
Step 6. Wash clothes in warm or hot water
Wash clothes by hand or in the washing machine. Make sure you use warm or hot water to remove the stain from the fabric fibers. If you're worried that your clothes will shrink, it's best to use warm water instead of hot water.
- Always check clothing labels to make sure hot water is safe for your fabric! If you're not sure, use warm water, which won't shrink clothes the way hot water does.
- Whatever you do, don't put clothes that are still stained in the dryer as this can make the stain harden and make it more difficult to remove!
Method 3 of 3: Soaking Clothes in Vinegar
Step 1. Scrape off the remaining Vaseline that is still attached
To prevent the stain from spreading, it's very important to remove any remaining Vaseline as quickly as possible. Use a dull knife or dry kitchen paper to remove as much of the Vaseline as possible.
The sooner you remove any remaining Vaseline, the better the chances of removing the oil stain
Step 2. Soak the stained area in vinegar for 5 to 10 minutes
Vinegar is a natural acid that is very effective against oil stains and other stains. Don't worry, your clothes won't smell like vinegar after washing them.
When cleaning colored clothing, soak the garment in an equal ratio of vinegar and water to prevent the fabric from fading or discoloring
Step 3. Rub the soiled area with a paper towel after soaking
Rubbing vinegar can help remove the oil from the fibers of the fabric. Be sure to rub the vinegar evenly over the fiber surface. If the stain persists, apply more vinegar and scrub again.
To deal with stubborn stains, you can rub dishwashing liquid on this spot and rinse with warm water
Step 4. Let the clothes dry on their own once the stain is gone
Allowing the clothes to dry naturally will prevent stubborn stains from soaking into the fabric. If you're interested in putting your clothes in the dryer or using a hairdryer, resist the temptation! Both of these things will only make the remaining stain seep.
Once dry, you can try another cleaning method with another stain remover if the stain isn't completely gone
Tips
- Use extra detergent specially formulated to remove stains on clothes.
- To clean leather, silk, satin, velvet, suede, or other specialty fabrics, it's a good idea to take your clothes to a professional cleaner who specializes in these fabrics.
- If the care label says “dry cleaning only”, don't risk damaging it and take the garment to a professional.
