Having our clothes pristine and clean is one of our priorities. No one wants to get out of their house sporting stained and grimy clothes. Unfortunately, accidents can sometimes happen, and one way or another, you end up with coconut-stained clothes.
Don’t fret! In this article, we will tell you all about how to get coconut oil out of clothes.
Are Coconut Stains Permanent?
A coconut stain is not permanent as long as you deal with it immediately. Removing oils from your clothes can be a bit of work. Rinsing the coconut oil with water wouldn’t do much for the stains since oil is a hydrophobic substance.
2 Things to Know Before Removing Coconut Oil Stain
Know What Type of Fabric
When removing the stains, knowing which type of fabric your clothes will help you choose which method is the best for you. Some variety of materials can have a particular reaction to the chemicals you will use to remove the stain.
Don’t Put the Clothes in the Washer
Don’t ruin your clothes in the washer before you remove the stain. Treating your clothes might come first before putting them in the washing machine.
You might think that cycling your clothes in the washer will remove the stains. It couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, the process of running your clothes through the washer will let the oil seep further into your clothes.
You should remove the stain on the clothes before putting them in any washing machine or dryer.
But you don’t need to worry. With our step-by-step process, your coconut stain will be gone in no time.
Acting fast is the first step in removing any kind of stains. Its recommended to treat and wash your stained clothes as soon as possible.
Step 1: Remove as Many Stains as Possible
Treating your clothes as soon as possible increases the chances of removing the stain. Removing the oil with water wouldn’t cut it.
Use a paper towel or fabric cloth to get coconut oil out of your clothes. By scrubbing the stain off with another material, you can create friction that will remove the oil.
Step 2: Absorb the Coconut Oil
Since we can’t wash the stain with water, absorbing the excess oil is our next step.
You can do it with various powdered products that you can find around your house. You can use baby powder, cornstarch, flour, or baking soda. Choose within any of these products to absorb the oil from your garment.
Sprinkle it into the garment once you choose which powder you will use. There is no exact measurement for the amount of product you will need. Just make sure that you cover all the coconut stains.
Scrub the powdered product with an inward motion. The inward scrubbing will limit the amount of coconut oil stains that will spread.
After scrubbing, leave the powdered product for about an hour. If you can, you can also leave the powdered product overnight for better absorption.
Step 3: Remove the Powder
Once the powder absorbs the oil, you can scrape it off with a paper towel or fabric wipes. You can also dump it in the sink.
You might notice a white spot where the powder was. Don’t worry. It will go away as you wash the stained clothes.
Step 4: Wash off the Stain
You can use several products to wash off the stains in this step. To scrub off the stain more effectively, you can use an old toothbrush.
Dishwashing Liquid
The dishwashing liquid is the best product you can use to remove the stain since it’s designed to remove oil and grime.
To use the dishwashing liquid, mix it with four parts of water. For example, you need to use one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid; you will need to mix it with four teaspoons of water. When using the dishwashing liquid, there is no exact measurement as it will all depend on how large the stain is.
With a toothbrush, rub the mixture on the stains.
Laundry Detergent
If you don’t have any dishwashing liquid, using a dishwashing liquid is the next best thing. Most laundry detergents are designed to remove dirt and grime from your clothes safely.
Keep in mind what type of laundry detergent you will use. Some laundry detergent has some bleach in it.
Bleach can cause discoloration to some pieces of clothing. Always check the label of your laundry detergent and look out if it has a bleach content.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste is an incredible cleaning agent when it comes to removing oil stains. The product is specially designed to clean without harsh chemicals.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar is a combination we see a lot. It may sound like we are about to do a science experiment, but baking soda and vinegar are incredible cleaning agents.
You need to combine equal parts of water and vinegar then soak the garment for one to two hours to do this method. Then, sprinkle a bit of baking soda onto the stain. Scrub the stained area, then rinse.
After choosing which washing method is for you, we can now go to the last step.
Step 5: Run the Your Clothes into the Washer
Finally, you can now put the clothes into your washer. You can wash your clothes how you usually do it, then dry them out.
If the stain is still not completely removed, you can repeat the process for more significant results.
How to Remove Dried Coconut Oil Stain (Step-By-Step)
As stated above, coconut oil stain needs to be dealt with and removed as soon as possible. Unfortunately, one way or another, you might end up with a dried-out stain.
Don’t worry. We will guide you on how to safely and effectively remove dried-out oil stains.
Using Baking Soda and WD-40
With this method, you need to use baking soda along with WD-40.
WD-40 Multi-Use Product is a spray designed to lubricate and dry out moisture. It’s a great product to remove the dried-out coconut stains from your garment. It’s also commonly used in eliminating other oily substances such as tar and cooking oil.
To do this method, you need:
- Baking Soda
- WD-40
- Q-tip
- Cardboard Box
- Liquid Laundry Detergent
Steps:
- Before putting in the WD-40 spray, make sure to put a piece of cardboard to avoid spraying unstained areas.
- Next, you should pour a small amount of the WD-40 solution into a separate container. Then, use a q-tip to rub the WD-40 on the clothes. If your spray has some nozzle, you can apply the solution directly onto your garment.
- Sprinkle a good amount of baking soda on top of the stain and rub it with an old toothbrush. Brush the baking soda with an inward motion to limit the spread of the coconut oil. Once you have finished scrubbing the clothes, dump the baking soda away.
- Then, put a bit of liquid laundry detergent. Make sure to cover the whole stain. With the same toothbrush, scrub the stain away.
- Lastly, wash the clothes as you usually do.
Toothpaste and Dishwashing Liquid
Don’t have a WD-40 spray on your home? Don’t worry. You can use toothpaste and dishwashing liquid to remove dried coconut oil stains.
Dishwashing liquid and toothpaste are cleaning agents designed to lift off oil without damaging the material of the fabric. You can ensure that there is no discoloration if you use a standard kitchen dishwashing liquid.
Although, always remember not to put any dishwashing liquid explicitly made for the dishwasher as they often contain more potent chemicals. If you have stained clothing on the cheaper side, the dishwashing liquid might cause discoloration.
To do this method, you need:
- Toothpaste
- Dishwashing Liquid
- Rubbing Alcohol
Steps:
- Put an ample amount of toothpaste on the stain.
- With an old toothbrush, spread the toothpaste as you scrub. Make sure to apply the toothpaste across the whole stain.
- Combine equal parts of water, dishwashing liquid, and rubbing alcohol in a container. There are no exact measurements since it will depend on the size of the stain.
- Let your garment soak for 30 minutes to an hour.
- After soaking your clothes, rinse it with lukewarm water. Repeat the process until the stain is gone.
- Since you are treating a dried-out stain, repeating the process might be needed. Don’t worry. Since the materials used above are safe for clothes, you can do the methods above until the dried coconut stain is gone.
In Conclusion
There is a slew of options when it comes to cleaning your clothing. With a bit of sweat and determination, you can remove the coconut oil stain in your clothes in no time.
We hope this article taught you excellently how to remove coconut oil stains on clothes. If you have more questions or inquiries about clothing and fashion, be sure to comment.
Jessica Oliver is a fashion enthusiast with more than ten years of experience in the industry. She previously managed her own clothing store in New York before becoming a mother of three. With a passion for sustainability and a desire to share clothing care and recycling tips.