Oil based stain removal

[Motorsport226]

Ok, so I managed to get an olive oil stain on one of my dress shirts this weekend. I dabbed it with a napkin and luckily my girlfriend had a tide to go stick in her purse and i treated it with that.

When I got home I treated it again with some shout advanced gel, washed it, let it hang dry.
It got most of it out, to the point that its only noticeable in certain lighting, but it'll still annoy the **** out of me.

So my question is this, should i treat it and wash it again now, or wait until after its next wear and wash it then? I just hate washing things multiple times in row in fear of doing damage to the shirt.

Also any suggestions on alternative methods to remove the stain would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys!

 

[politico]

It seems odd, but if it's not the fanciest piece of clothing, try using Kerosene. It should work to get out any oil stains.

Like dissolves like!

 

[Motorsport226]

Originally Posted by politico

It seems odd, but if it's not the fanciest piece of clothing, try using Kerosene. It should work to get out any oil stains.

Like dissolves like!

Not sure I feel comfortable doing that haha.

Are there any other opnions out there?

 

[Geoff Gander]

Dish soap works well for greasy stains - I got some lanolin stains out of a linen shirt that way.

 

[mdp0430]

This happens to me all the time. I don't put anything on it until I get home. Then I liberally apply talcum or baby powder and rub it into the stain. After a day or so, I take it to my dry cleaner. The stain always comes out.

 

[ManofKent]

Lighter fluid works on most fabrics. If the shirt is coloured chack for colourfastness though...

 

[politico]

Originally Posted by ManofKent

Lighter fluid works on most fabrics. If the shirt is coloured chack for colourfastness though...

He said he doesn't want to use Kerosene, Lighter fluid is butane, while not the same thing, they're very similar.

 

[Nicola]

Shampoo. It's intended to deal with hair grease.

 

[Motorsport226]

Originally Posted by mdp0430

This happens to me all the time. I don't put anything on it until I get home. Then I liberally apply talcum or baby powder and rub it into the stain. After a day or so, I take it to my dry cleaner. The stain always comes out.

That sounds like a good idea. But should I do it now or wait until after I wear it again? Would it be bad for the shirt if it was washed twice in a row?

 

[ManofKent]

Originally Posted by politico

He said he doesn't want to use Kerosene, Lighter fluid is butane, while not the same thing, they're very similar.

Because Butane is a gas it evaporates very quickly - Kerosene, or Parafin as we call it over here is a simple distilate and can leave residue.

 

[alliswell]

Originally Posted by Motorsport226

That sounds like a good idea. But should I do it now or wait until after I wear it again? Would it be bad for the shirt if it was washed twice in a row?

Is it silk? If it's cotton, go ahead and treat it with Shout gel, shampoo or dish detergent. Washing doesn't hurt cotton.

 

[Motorsport226]

Originally Posted by alliswell

Is it silk? If it's cotton, go ahead and treat it with Shout gel, shampoo or dish detergent. Washing doesn't hurt cotton.

Yea its 100% supima cotton.

Now I'm not sure wether to treat it again and wash it or try the baby powder method and have it dry cleaned. Any opinons on what would work better?

Thanks for all the input guys!

 

[cimabue]

Originally Posted by ManofKent

Because Butane is a gas it evaporates very quickly - Kerosene, or Parafin as we call it over here is a simple distilate and can leave residue.


You use butane? Hmm.

I use the Zippo kind of lighter fuel for oily stains. It's basically naphtha, a petroleum distillate. You can also just buy VM&P naphtha at a hardware store. Quality VM&P will dry without leaving a residue. Blot, blot, blot. Make sure nobody is welding near you. And put the Camel Light out.

 

[Woodman]

Baby powder works wonders on oil-based stains!
Sprinkle it on, lightly shake or brush it, and see if it "sets up" on the spot/stain.
It will attach to whatever oil is left, and pull it out.
Let it sit for anywhere for a few minutes to an hour, and then use a stiff brush to brush it off.
Repeat as needed.
Once there's no more oil, just wash it normally.

 

[Motorsport226]

Originally Posted by Woodman

Baby powder works wonders on oil-based stains!
Sprinkle it on, lightly shake or brush it, and see if it "sets up" on the spot/stain.
It will attach to whatever oil is left, and pull it out.
Let it sit for anywhere for a few minutes to an hour, and then use a stiff brush to brush it off.
Repeat as needed.
Once there's no more oil, just wash it normally.

Does this work if its already been washed? I just hung it out to dry and I would assume I can still do the baby powder method?