Whether it’s while you’re tinkering, refueling your car, cooking, at work or enjoying a delicious meal, oil stains are never far away and can occur at any time. any time. And like all stubborn stains, they can then seem impossible to remove, but don’t worry. There are indeed simple and effective tips and tricks to get rid of these unwanted stains and save our favorite clothes. Find out how to clean an oil or grease stain with ecological and/or economical household products. Enough to find clean and impeccable clothes without effort!
1) Good reflexes to have to remove oil stains
To prevent the stain from becoming embedded in the fabric, try to act quickly. Indeed, a old and dried stain will be more complex to remove. Furthermore, always carry out a preliminary test on an inconspicuous area before using stain remover maintenance products on the grease stain. This will allow you to ensure that the garment reacts well and that there is no risk of discoloration.
2) Banish certain mistakes against an oil stain
To deal with these stubborn stains, you should avoid certain actions that can aggravate or set the oil stain. For example, the fact of rinsing with water risks spreading the stain more than blurring it. Also, do not use salt to remove the stain. Already not recommended for wine stains because it can fix the pigments in textile fibers, it is also not recommended here, because it has no absorbent power (therefore no use) and because it risks burning the fabrics. , especially the most fragile. Finally, do not wash stained fabric in the washing machine until the stain is treated. Otherwise, you risk setting the stain and making it even more difficult to remove. Only the blotting technique could then work (see below).
3) Dissolve an oil stain with dish soap
Sometimes the simplest and most economical tips are the best! Thanks to his strong degreasing powerdishwashing liquid is the ideal stain remover for oil stains. It allows them to dissolve effectively on all materials, both on cotton and on all surfaces in the house. To do this, simply moisten the stain and cover with a few drops of dishwashing detergent. Next, scrub the fabric with an old toothbrush or clean cloth. Finally, rinse, repeat if necessary and wash the garment in the washing machine using the usual program.
4) Marseille soap, the ally of choice
Marseille soap and ox gall soap are two great options for oil stains. To do this, you can lightly moisten the stain and form a crust with your soap by rubbing the stain directly with the bar. Then you can leave it for a few minutes and rub it with a clean cloth. Follow with a good rinse and machine wash.
5) White vinegar, lemon juice or alcohol against oily stains
White vinegar is a degreaser, stain remover and deodorizer maintenance product very effective on oil stains thanks to its acidity. 70% alcohol and fresh lemon juice are also good options. Faced with oily stains, you can therefore impregnate a cloth with one of these liquids and dab the stain to make it disappear. Then, rinse and put the garment in the machine.
6) Sommières earth to eliminate the stain by absorption
The soil of Sommières is particularly widely used in household for its unparalleled absorbent properties. It will thus neutralize the grease in the oil, and therefore the stain, in addition to helping to deodorize it in a single step. To do this, simply sprinkle it directly on the oil stains and leave to act for several hours. Then, remove the powder with a soft brush or your vacuum cleaner, then put the laundry in the washing machine if possible.
Good to know: you can buy Sommières soil in an organic store, in the drugstore section of a DIY store or online.
7) Talcum powder or flour to absorb an oil stain
Can’t find Sommières soil near you? In this case, try to replace it with talcum powder or flour. This works just as well for the sofa as it does for stained clothing. However, this solution generally works best for light fabrics, leather or silk. To use these powders, sprinkle them on the stain and leave for at least an hour. Then vacuum up the powder carefully. Finally switch to machine or hand wash.
Good to know: if you need to remove leather, sprinkle the stain with your powder, cover with absorbent paper, then go over it with an iron set to medium temperature. Repeat if necessary until the stain is completely gone.
8) White clay to absorb and remove fat
Form a absorbent and stain remover paste with white clay and household alcohol. You can then apply it to the area to be detached and let it dry completely. Then, rub the stain gently to remove the powder and finish removing the stain with a damp cloth.
9) Turpentine against an oil stain
This essence, which comes from maritime pine, can be used in many ways. However, it appears more particularly appreciable in the face of difficult marks present on our clothes. However, you must remember to use it with caution, and in particular by wearing gloves. To use it, moisten the stain with your turpentine, then machine wash everything as usual.
10) Ammonia to remove grease from laundry
Whether the oil stain is on suede or linen, it is possible touse ammonia to get rid of it. Note, however, that this very cleaning chemical is irritating and should therefore be used in a well-ventilated room and with gloves. To remove the stain, dilute half a part of ammonia in one part of water. Then, dab the area to be treated with this solution. You can then sprinkle the stain with Sommières earth to absorb the humidity and prevent the formation of a halo when drying. You just need to wait a little before brushing the powder gently.
+ Two tips for removing stubborn or old oil stains
11) Hairspray against oil stains
Hairspray may not be the most eco-friendly solution for getting rid of oily residue, but it’s still a good option for counteract oily stains like ink stains. Simply spray on the stains, leave to act for 20 minutes and put the garment in the washing machine with the usual program.
12) The blotting technique to remove oil
For a difficult or machine-washed stain (and therefore cooked), the blotting technique may be the only option to save your laundry. If nothing else works, there’s nothing to lose by trying it! To do this, place a clean cloth or absorbent paper on the grease, then iron everything several times. Remember to replace or move your cloth or paper towel several times to use an area not soaked in oil. This will absorb any traces of oil more effectively.