Coconut oil has increasingly become popular not only as a staple pantry item but an all-natural solution to a variety of health conditions such as dry skin and hair. But what do you do if you spill coconut oil on your clothes? How do you remove it? We've found the answers for you, and in this post, we will discuss them.
Here's how you can get coconut oil stains out of most clothes:
- Use a dry clean cloth to blot the stain
- Apply dish soap to the oil stain
- Dry the clothing item
Oil stains that have already been set into your clothing can be very intimidating to remove, and coconut oil is no different. However, if you use the right techniques and products, you can effectively remove them from your clothes. Continue reading to learn about the steps to remove coconut oil from your clothes.
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Steps to remove coconut oil stains from clothing
Things you'll need:
- A disposable toothbrush
- White microfiber cloths
- A small piece of cardboard
- Baking soda
- Mild dish soap
1. Use a dry clean cloth to blot the stain
It's best to try to remove any excess oil from the clothing as soon as possible. When blotting the clothing, blot from the edges to the stain's center to prevent spreading it. You can also use a paper towel if you don't have a dry cloth. Place the garment on top of the cardboard to help absorb some of the excess oil as you blot it.
3. Apply dish soap to the oil stain
Dish soap has shown to be one of the most effective solutions for getting rid of oil stains in fabrics. This makes sense due to soap's ability to cut through grease molecules--just as it does with dishes. Apply four to five drops of dish soap to a cleaning cloth and then run it under warm water.
Next, apply it to the stain and rub it in a circular motion to work it into the stain. You can also use a soft disposable toothbrush to help apply it. For the best results, allow the dish soap to stay on the stain for about 5 to 7 minutes.
After giving the dish soap time to absorb the oil, rinse the clothing in warm water. If the clothing is white and made of cotton or poly-blend fabric, you can also add a bit of bleach or a color-safe solution such as OxiClean to help clean the item.
3. Dry the clothing item
It can be hard to tell if the oil stain has been completely removed while the item is still wet. If the garment is machine-dryable, toss it in the dryer for about 10 to 15 minutes and then remove it to check the stain. If the stain is still present, repeat the previous treatment, and allow the dish soap to remain on the item for an additional 10 minutes. It's best to check the stain first before allowing the item to completely dry, as the dryer may cause the oil to penetrate deeper into the fabric, making it more difficult to remove.
How to remove coconut oil from delicate garments
Additional care should be taken when removing coconut oil stains from fabrics such as cashmere, wool, silk, and other delicates. You don't want to permanently damage the garments while trying to remove the stain. In some cases, it may be best just to take the garment to the cleaners. However, if the stain is minimal and the garment can be hand-washed, here's how you can get rid of the coconut oil stain.
Things you'll need:
- Dish soap
- Large towel
- Cornstarch
Steps to follow:
- Sprinkle the oil stain with cornstarch and rub it into the stain for about 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat this step one or two times if the stain is large or has been on the fabric for more than an hour. Coconut oil is relatively easy to remove but may take a bit longer when working with thicker fabrics.
- Fill a bathtub or sink with cold water and submerge the garment.
- Next, add four or five drops of dish soap to the tub. Swish the water around with your hands to mix the dish soap and develop a few suds.
- Use your hands to rub the garment together gently. Concentrate on the area where the oil stain is located, and be sure not to twist or ring the fabric during the process-- the last thing you want to do is to ruin the garment's fibers and shape.
- Allow the garment to soak in the water for an additional 2 to 5 minutes before removing it. Gently squeeze any excess water from it, making sure not to wring it out.
- Drain the soapy water from the sink and refill it with fresh cool water. Place the garment back in the sink and gently move it around to rinse off the soap. You may need to repeat this step two to three times to remove all of these soap residues.
- Take a large towel and roll the garment up inside of it. Gently press and squeeze on the towel to remove any excess water from the garment. Roll the garment up like a burrito, but be sure not to stretch it out during the process.
Additional Stain Removal Tips:
Before removing coconut oil from any type of garment, be sure to look at the washing instructions on the garments care tag. Some garments may require dry cleaning services, While others may be hand-washed.
When working with heavy fabrics such as wool, cashmere, or fleece, be sure that the garments don't stay wet for too long, as they may be more susceptible to mold, even within a few hours.
Does Coconut Oil Wash Out Easily?
Compared to other oil types, such as cooking oil or car engine oil, coconut oil is fairly easy to remove. Whether you've spilled oil on your clothes, sheets, or the fabric of your car seats, you can usually remove all or most of it using mild dish soap and a damp cloth. It's always best to blot the oil as soon as possible to keep it from soaking further into your fabrics. You may need to work the dish soap into the fabric for about 2 to 5 minutes to lift the oil from it.
Does Coconut Oil Stain Clothes?
Yes, coconut oil, similar to other oils, can cause stains on clothes, sheets, and other types of porous fabrics. If the oil is left to sit for several hours, it can become harder to remove and may solidify depending on if it's unrefined or not. If you clean the coconut oil as soon as possible, there is a good chance that you will remove it successfully.
How Do You Get Coconut Oil Stains Out Of Clothes?
Fortunately, it is not that difficult to remove coconut oil from most cotton or poly blend garments if you immediately work on the stain. You mustn't allow the stain to stay on the garment for hours at a time, as this can make it harder to remove--so to say, acting quickly is a must! One of the best ways to remove the stain from your garments is to use mild dish soap to lift the oil from the fabric.
You can also apply baking soda beforehand to absorb the fats in the oil. If the stain has set into the fabric, you may need to let it soak in soapy water for about 30 to 40 minutes. It's also important to check the care tag instructions on your clothes before applying any oil-removing methods.
Does Coconut Oil Come Out Of Jeans?
Yes, you can successfully remove coconut oil from jeans. Applying dishwashing soap to the jeans can help break up the fats within the oil, and following up with baking soda can help absorb any excess oil from the jeans. Here is a quick overview of the steps to remove coconut oil from jeans:
- Sprinkle baking soda on the affected area of the jeans and allow to sit for about 10 to 15 minutes; this will give it time to absorb the coconut oil.
- Next, use a toothbrush to work the baking soda into the jeans. Wash the jeans in hot water.
- Remove the jeans from the washer (or sink if hand-washed) and apply a few drops of dish soap to the oil stain.
- Rub the soap into the stain using a soft cloth and then let it sit on the stand for 15 minutes.
- Toss the jeans back in the washer, then air dry them. If you don't have baking soda available, you can also use cornstarch as a substitute to absorb the oil.
Wrapping things up
You can remove coconut oil from clothing using baking soda, cornstarch, and dish soap. It's always best to work on the stain as soon as possible to increase your chances of lifting it from the fabric completely. It's better not to dry the fabric, as it can cause the oil stain to set in and make it ten times harder to remove.
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