How To Get An Oil Stain (Like Salad Dressing!) Out Of Clothes Right Away

While I was starting this article, I dropped a glob of my lunch of my brand new top. To make things worst, it was this super cute Zara shirt that Olivia Palmero was seen wearing a few weeks ago. I immediately panicked, thinking the stain was irreversible. Fortunately, for me (and you) there are a few ways to get an oily blotch out of your clothing. The trick is to act fast. The longer you wait, the more likely the stain will set.

I immediately ran out to the drugstore and bought the following things: baking soda, a tooth brush, and dish soap. The first step is to use a paper towels to blot out the excess oil. Next, cover the stain entirely with the baking soda and let it set for at least 30 minutes. Then scrub the stain with a toothbrush. As you scrub, the baking soda will clump up because it has absorbed the oil. For really tough stains, repeat this process. Then, pour some dish washing soap over the baking soda and gently work it into the stain. The last step is to throw the item in the wash. Don’t worry if there’s left over baking soda residue on your garment. This should easily wash out.

READ MORE: How To Get A Water Stain Out Of A Leather Boot

According to wikiHow, washing the garment in hot water will help remove the stain. However, not all items can be washed in hot water, so check the care tag. Adding a little white vinegar to rinse cycle will also help make the detergent more effective. Be sure the stain is completely removed before throwing it in the dryer. If it’s not removed, the heat will set the stain. Read more about how to remove oil from different types of fabric here.

READ MORE: How To Get An Ink Stain Out Of A Leather Purse

If the stain is set, you can try to remove the stain with WD-40. First, put a piece of cardboard underneath the stain (between the front and back of the shirt). Spray the stain with the WD-40. Then cover the spot with a layer of baking soda and repeat the same process with the dish soap. Check out the rest of the steps on this site.

READ MORE: How To Prevent Denim From Staining Suede

For more laundry tips, check out how to remove an ink stain from a leather purse and how to get mascara stains out of fabric.

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