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Oil is everywhere -- in your car, your salad dressing, even your hair products. With all this oil everywhere, you're bound to get some on your clothes, and if you aren't careful removing it, it might never come out. Stains differ depending on the chemicals in them and how they bond to fabric, so you have to use the right strategy. Fortunately, getting oil stains out of your shirt is easy, and you probably already have everything you need.
1.
Do a damage report on your clothes and look all over for any stains. Check your sleeves for butter or cooking oil stains, the collar of your shirt for face cream oil stains and your shoulders for hair oil stains.
2.
Put your high school chemistry skills to good use by mixing up a homemade pre-treatment. Mix powdered detergent with water in a container until you have a watery, runny paste and smear it on the stain. If you prefer to use a store-bought pre-treatment product, like a petroleum-based aerosol solvent or a detergent-based solution, go ahead.
3.
Wash the clothes right away -- don't let them soak first. Just toss in the wash with either liquid or powder detergent like normal. If it's safe for your outfit, wash in hot water.
4.
Pull out your clothes and check out the stained spots. If the stains are gone, you can throw your clothes in the dryer and move on with your life. If they're still there, though, repeat the stain removal treatment and try again. If you dry them while the oil stain is still there, the heat could set the stain and make it permanent.
Things You'll Need
1.Heavy-duty detergent, liquid or powder
3.Container
2.Water
4.Pre-treatment product, petroleum or detergent-based (optional)
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References
Ohio State University Information Extension: Quick and Easy Stain Removal
Iowa State University Extension: Quick and Easy Stain Removal
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