From motor oil to olive oil, stains of this variety can remain on your clothing for some time unless you take action. Even the more esoteric varieties such as chestnut oil, peanut oil, sesame oil or coconut oil have similar properties that bind to fabric, creating those characteristic dark spots that never seem to go, even after several washes. Here in this article we'll explore the best methods of oil removal, and learn how to get the most out of your Vanish stain removal.
Slippery Business
Removing the Stain
Whether you were changing the oil in your car, or got caught on the wrong end of a spill while cooking, oil stains need to be acted on quickly. The faster you start working on a stain, the easier it will be to remove. Waiting for even a few hours can make the stain that much harder to remove.
For most fabrics, you need to treat the stain immediately with hot water. Wash through from the inside of the fabric (ie not the side that the stain initially affected) to help push off the stain. Once you have thoroughly washed through the stain there will doubtless be some remaining.
If a water source is not close to hand, then scrape off the excess oil with a spoon or other soft-edged object. Then blot away with a dampened cloth or paper towel to pull off more grease. Be careful not to spread the stain, but rather blot the area carefully, and with ample pressure.
Remove Oil Stains with Vanish
With Vanish, oil stain removal is easy. For both types of oil, use Vanish Gold Oxi Action Gel, which removes oil stains with little fuss.
- At first you will need to soak your garment in four litres of warm water, in which you will have added and mixed 60ml of the gel. This solution will get to work on the stain.
- Soak the fabric for a maximum of one hour for colours, and six hours for whites. This will help break down the oil effectively.
- Once fully soaked, it's time to wash. Choose your regular washing machine setting, and place a pod with 60ml of gel within the drum, along with detergent.
- The oil should be fully gone by the end of the cycle, so simply allow your clothing to dry, and voila!
Tips to Prevent Oil Stains
When doing anything with oil, it always pays to wear a smock, apron or other piece of protection, even old clothes! Particularly in a garage setting, since the work is normally quite greasy, old clothes mean your new ones won't be stained. In the kitchen, an apron is an essential item of clothing, particularly if you are dealing with hot oil or boiling water. Frying fats will spit onto your clothes, causing tiny build-ups of oil, but in case of a spill, you will have the added protection it provides.