Oil Stain Removal

Whether it's a cooking, automotive or lubricating oil stain, it is difficult to completely get rid of it. One of the key ways of removing oil stains from clothing is to treat the stain as early as possible. Though, there are many pre-treat products available in the market today, the basic oil stain removal technique is to soak the stain area for some time and then wash with detergent in hot water. For lighter stains, you can soak the greased area in a pre-treatment stain remover for some time. This will enable the stain remover to percolate through the stain and loosen the bonds of the staining agent with the fabric. Then rub the stain with a powerful detergent and wash as usual. For heavy oil stains, place the greased area facing downward on an absorbent paper or towel till the stain soils the towel. Allow the fabric to dry and wash in hot water thoroughly.

How to Remove Oil Stains

Oil stain removal techniques or methods for specific types of oils and conditions are as follows:

• Removing oil stains from any type of fabric like a table cloth or carpet can be a cumbersome job. I am sure all of us must have at least once experienced this tedious carpet stain removal situation, where we had to remove oil stains from a carpet. Though it is difficult, by using the right product and process, you can remove the stain. For light oil stains, you can use rubbing alcohol on a clean paper or towel to blot the stain. But remember not to rub the stain from the outer edge toward the center. For larger oil stains, moisten the towel with a dry cleaning solvent to blot the stain from outside in. If the stain still persists repeat the procedure for few more days.
• To remove salad oil stain from fabrics immediately scrape the upper layer of the cloth with a spoon or butter knife. Sprinkle baby powder on the stain spot. You can also apply few drops of liquid dish soap on the stain, as here the detergent acts as an emulsifier that will loosen the oil clinging to the fibers of the cloth. Allow the soap to soak for 10 to 15 minutes and then wash the fabric with hot water and repeat the procedure if necessary.
• Baby oil, hair oil, sewing machine oil stains etc. can be removed by rubbing the stain area with a dishwashing liquid and keeping it for 15 to 20 minutes. After this, wash the fabric in hot water and repeat the process if some stain remains.
• For fatty, butter, and cream stain removal, wash the cloth in warm soapy water and if the cloth is non-washable, sponge the stain with a dry cleaning fluid.
• For olive oil stain removal, or any other vegetable oil stain removal, remove the excess oil with a dull knife or spoon, and use liquid detergent to rub through the stained fabric. Keep it like this for some time and wash the fabric in hot water.

The above mentioned oil stain removal techniques will you help in removing those stubborn and ugly stains. Before starting the removal process, check the fabric care instructions as the removal treatment can vary from fabric to fabric. Always check the stain area before you dry the cloth to make sure the stain is removed completely.