Oil stains on clothes can be incredibly frustrating because they are so hard to remove. According to dry cleaning experts in Orange County, oil stains are typically semi-solid or solid at room temperature, which makes them more susceptible to sticking to fabric. Warm or hot water is necessary to work against this state of matter. However, as many people know, hot water is not recommended for many synthetic fabric types.
For many people, oil stains are ruinous unless they can take their clothing to a dry cleaners in Orange County. While professional cleaning services are the most trustworthy source of removing oil stains, the situation is not quite as bleak as everyone believes. There are some methods by which oil stains can be treated in order to preserve the look and feel of clothing. If you find yourself in pickle, then you can try these home remedies for a quick fix.
Depending on the newness of the stain and the fabric of your clothing, you may need to slightly adjust your oil removing tactic. Here are some of the most basic ingredients that you will need for this cleaning process:
- Baking soda or cornstarch
- Dish soap
- Cardboard
- Toothbrush
- Cotton tip
- WD-40
Removing Fresh Stains
As with most stains, it is important to catch them right when they happen. This prevents them from setting too much into the material of the clothing, which can make them harder to remove later. When you have a fresh oil stain, you should follow these steps:
- Blot the stain with a napkin to remove as much excess oil as possible.
- Sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda or cornstarch to the stained area and let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Next, use a toothbrush to scrub the baking soda/cornstarch off the stained area.
- Work in a small amount of dish soap into the fabric with your fingers.
- Wash the clothing item at the highest temperature you can, according to the fabric specifications. You can machine wash if the garment allows, or hand wash.
- If the stain persists after this wash, then repeat the process. Do not dry garment until the stain is gone.
Removing Set-in Stains
If, for some reason, you are not able to catch a stain before it sets in, then you will need to try a more intense cleaning process. Here is the best method for tackling set-in stains at home:
- Place a piece of cardboard behind the oil stain in order to separate the layers of the fabric.
- Apply a small amount of WD-40 to the stain with a cotton tip or spray attachment. This solution should help break down the oil stain.
- Then, blot the stain with a napkin to remove the excess oil.
- Add a layer of baking soda or cornstarch to the stain and let sit for 30 minutes.
- Scrub off baking soda/cornstarch with a toothbrush.
- Use a small amount of dish soap to rub into the stained fabric.
- Wash the clothing item, like normal, with the highest temperature water the fabric will allow.
Dry Cleaning Services Can Remove Your Oil Stains
If you’re having trouble with a particularly tricky stain, then you should take your garment to a dry cleaning service in Orange County. Professional cleaning services have powerful solutions with additives that can eliminate stains without damaging the fabric. Plus, some will offer pick-up and delivery services to make it that much more convenient for you!