Even if you don’t do dirty work, any job can leave you stained, soiled, smeared, and splattered. Whether you toil away at an office, earn a living in the service industry, or perform manual labor, no suit, skirt, blouse, or pair of chinos is entirely safe from common workplace perils. Oil spills, ink blots, and lunchtime mishaps can befall even the tidiest of us. Fortunately, there are practical and relatively easy ways to remove the toughest work-related stains and salvage your favorite professional attire. Just remember to consult the label and washing instructions first. So, take a memo as we explore how to get stains like oil, ink, and grease out of your clothes.
How to get oil out of clothes
Oil is everywhere, whether you’re a server, mechanic, engineer, or simply getting your engine oil changed on your way to work. And getting oil out of your clothes can be challenging. By following these tips, though, you might be able to save face — and your outfit. Here’s how to remove oil stains from clothes:
Act quickly: As soon as you notice the oil stain, take care of it as soon as possible. The faster you act, the easier it will be to remove.
Blot the excess: Use a clean cloth or paper towel to blot the stain gently. Don’t rub since this can push the oil deeper into the fabric and make things worse.
Apply absorbent powder: If the stain is fresh, sprinkle cornstarch, talcum powder, or baking soda on it to absorb the excess oil. Let it sit for a few minutes.
Pre-treat the stain: You can use SaltyLama laundry detergent sheets to create a stain remover. Simply rip a strip from a sheet, tear it into pieces, and create a paste by mixing it in a bowl with hot water. Once the paste is finished, gently work the soap into the fabric with your fingers or a soft brush. If the stain is still lingering, repeat the process a few more times. If you don’t have laundry detergent nearby, you can also apply a small amount of liquid dish soap.
Soak in warm water: Fill a basin or bowl with warm water and submerge the stained garment in it. Let it soak for at least 30 minutes to loosen the oil.
Machine wash: After soaking, launder the garment in the washing machine using the warmest water recommended for the fabric. Our eco-friendly laundry detergent sheets will help break down the oil without damaging the fabric.
Check before drying: Before drying the garment, check to see if the stain is fully gone. If it’s still lingering, repeat the pre-treatment and washing process until the stain is completely removed.
Avoid drying with heat: Avoid using heat to dry the stained area until there is no trace of it left.
How to remove ink from clothes
Maybe your pen had a meltdown, or you tangled with the office printer and lost, but here’s what to do when you need to remove the stain quickly.
Act fast: Deal with the stain as soon as you can. The faster you are, the better your chance of saving your garment.
Blot the stain: Use a clean cloth or paper towel to blot the ink stain gently. Avoid rubbing; it can spread the ink and worsen the stain.
Apply alcohol: For fresh ink stains, dip a cotton ball or cotton swab in rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. Dab the alcohol on the stain, working from the outside in to avoid spreading the ink.
Blot and repeat: Continue blotting the stain with alcohol, changing to a clean part of the cloth, or using a new cotton ball as needed. You should start to see the ink transferring to the cloth.
Rinse with water: Once most of the ink has been lifted, rinse the area with cool water to remove excess alcohol and ink.
Launder as usual: After treating the stain, launder the garment following the care instructions on the label. Check the stain before drying, and if it’s still visible, repeat the process or try an alternative method.
How to remove grease from clothes
Whether you work in a kitchen, or were simply eating pizza on your break, here’s what you can do to remove grease stains.
Be swift: As with any stain, the key to success is to address the grease stain as soon as possible. The longer the grease sits on the fabric, the harder it can be to remove.
Blot the area: Use a clean cloth, paper towel, or even a piece of bread if that’s all you have and blot the grease stain gently. Be careful not to spread the grease.
Use absorbent powder: If the stain is fresh, sprinkle some cornstarch, talcum powder, baking soda, or even salt on it to absorb the excess grease. Let it sit for a few minutes.
Pre-treat the stain: If you’re dealing with a stubborn grease stain, after mixing a SaltyLama detergent strip with water, delicately rub the concentrate into the area. No strips handy? Liquid dish soap should do. Delicately work the soap into the fabric with your fingers or a soft bristle brush.
Soak in warm water: Fill a basin or bowl with warm water and submerge the stained garment in it. Let it soak for at least 30 minutes.
Machine wash: After soaking, wash the garment as usual using the warmest water recommended for the fabric.
Check before drying: As with all stains check the stain before drying the item. If there’s still a hint of grease, repeat the pre-treatment and washing process until the stain has disappeared.
Air dry: Once the stain is gone, air dry the garment to ensure the stain doesn’t set. If the grease stain is persistent and doesn’t come out with regular washing, consider using a specialized grease-fighting stain remover or take the item to a professional cleaner for assistance.
As you can see, even the worst stains can be treated with focus, care, and, of course, SaltyLama’s eco-friendly laundry sheets. With your newfound stain-fighting expertise, get ready to step into work, knowing you can conquer oil, grease, and ink with ease!