Wondering how to get essential oil out of clothes? If you use essential oils for aromatherapy, cleaning, personal care, or other therapeutic benefits, you may on occasion stain your clothes.
Knowing how to get rid of essential oil stains from your clothes can help you clean them off your favorite jeans or tee.
The truth is, essential oils can leave stains on clothes in case of an accidental spill. And if the oil you’re using is darker, so is the stain. Darker oils leave deeper stains, and vice versa.
If you’ve been using essential oils and struggling to remove those pesky stains, read on to see how you can remove them without destroying your clothes.
Do essential oils stain clothes?
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Some essential oils can stain your clothes, and this is due to their concentrated, oily nature. However, pure essential oils don’t form stains because they are volatile. This means that after a spill, the oil can evaporate without leaving a greasy mark or stain on your clothes or fabrics.
How about essential oils that form stains? Oil stains on clothes are mostly due to undiluted, darker oils. When an essential oil is diluted with carrier oil, it leaves a lighter stain that can come off easily. These stains, on most occasions, look like dark patches or discolorations.
On the other hand, if the oil has strong pigments or is darker, like, for example, (blue tansy, jasmine, and German chamomile), which are darker or natural yellow color, for example, (patchouli, myrrh, vetiver, or tangerine, they can stain your clothes. Their pigmentation easily adheres to the fabric.
So when a stain occurs, you should try to remove it as fast as possible without delay. While water is a great solvent for food and dirt stains, it cannot remove essential oil stains.
Keep reading to see what you can use to draw essential oils from fabrics by using baking soda, baby powder, and rubbing alcohol, among others, without destroying your clothes or risking permanent staining.
Will essential oils stain clothing?
Photo by Leticia Ribeiro
Yes, some essential oils stain clothes. As mentioned earlier, darker oils and those with natural yellow color can stain your clothes. Also, some fibers, such as cotton and linen, easily absorb and retain essential oils.
Synthetic materials, on the other hand, such as polyester and nylon, are less likely to stain, but if the stain sits for a longer period of time, it can cause some effects.
The good news is, if you use caution when using essential oils and clean your clothes immediately after a stain occurs, you’ll minimize the risk of having a permanent stain on your clothes. Below are several methods you can use to remove stains.
Choosing the Right Cleaning Method
Choosing the right cleaning method or laundry detergent to remove essential oil from your clothes can help you remove the stain without damaging your fabrics.
Assess the fabric and type of stain
Different fabrics and stain types require specific cleaning techniques. Consider your fabric composition. For example, the type of fabric (cotton, silk, polyester, synthetic fabric, etc.) and the nature of the essential oil stain (lavender oil, tea tree oil, etc.) will determine the best possible approach or method.
Test a small area
Before applying any cleaning agents to the stained area, test on a small, inconspicuous part of the fabric. Doing this helps you see if the cleaning agent of your choice will cause discoloration or not.
How To Remove Essential Oil Stains Out Of Clothes 8 Methods
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How easy stain removal depends on the fabric of your clothes and how large or small a stain is.
Most oils leave a yellow stain due to the plant composition or compounds they are extracted from. What this means is, some essential oils can break your fabric’s bonds, wrap, damage, and discolor your cotton or synthetic fibers.
1. Apply baking soda
Why baking soda, you may ask? Baking soda is abrasive, and I’m sure you’ve seen people use it on social media to clean. You see, it breaks the bonds that form stain molecules, and because it’s a mild alkali, it dissolves dirt and grease quickly.
When you rub an essential oil stain with baking soda on a toothbrush, it absorbs and draws out the excess oil from the fibers and fabric, making it easier to clean.
If you use this method as soon as a stain happens and, for example, rub and leave the baking soda for an hour, you’ll get better results. On the other hand, you can soak your fabric or cloth in a solution of one part water and one part baking soda and leave it for 10 to 20 minutes.
Since this is the first step to stain removal, you can then wash the clothes in a launder before drying.
When you see a yellow-brown color after applying the baking soda, it’s a sign it’s absorbing the oil. You can scrape this off with a flat knife and add some more until all the oil comes out.
One thing you should remember to use is a piece of cardboard or plastic so you can prevent the stain from spreading to other parts of your fabric. Sound good?
2. Dish soap or detergent
Soap washes everything, and it’s a great essential oil stain remover. Do you agree?
Chances are you use soap at least 10 times a day, or it’s your first choice when it comes to stain removal. Whether it’s removing essential oils off hands or pre-cleaning with liquid dish soap, this is an easy and effective way to remove oil stains before laundering.
So how does soap remove grease and oil stains? You see, when oil mixes with soapy water, the soap molecules arrange themselves together into tiny clusters (micelles).
These soap molecules stick to the water, point outward, and trap oil in the middle. So as you scrub, wring, and rinse away the soapy water, the grease or oil also goes with it.
You can use soap by first applying dish soap or detergent to the stain. Choose a mild soap to use on clothing and test a small area of material for colorfastness first.
Also, you can use an old toothbrush to work the foam deeply into the fabric. Once you’re done, you can rinse off with water. Remember, dish soap cuts enough to remove protein, fats, chocolate, and grease.
Overall, pre-cleaning with dish soap cuts through grease faster and can save your favorite shirt from getting thrown away after taking on stubborn stains like these!
3. Wash the clothes on a hot cycle
For the most part, after using baking soda, the oil or stain is less conspicuous. But you can remove it further by washing the clothes in a hot wash cycle in a laundry machine or by hand washing them with hot water.
You see, hot water melts, dissolves, and lifts oil stains much quicker than cold water. Unfortunately, there isn’t a one size fits all solution to stain removal; that’s why you should also add detergent or a cup of vinegar.
You can also add oxygen bleach if you need a stronger stain-removal solution. Once the wash cycle is done, air dry instead of using the dryer. The hot dryer can set residual stains permanently on the fabric.
If the stains still remain after air drying, use baking soda again to remove the stain.
4. Baby Powder
Despite what you may have heard, baby powder is a great stain remover. I know this may come as a shock, but do you know the powder is a greater oil emulsifier? Yes, it’s a great stain removal hack you should know about.
For starters, this pleasant-smelling powder for babies is not only great at absorbing essential oils but other oils too. Here’s how you can use it.
Apply or pour it on the stain and let it sit, preferably overnight, depending on the type of fabric. The time you choose depends on you too. You can even use it for 30 minutes.
Once the oil has attached itself to the powder, shake it off over the kitchen sink or bathtub.
Then launder the clothes in hot water and air dry. So, if you’re looking to get essential oil out of your clothes, try the baby powder, and you’ll not regret this hack.
5. Murphy’s Oil Soap
While you may not have heard of Murphy’s oil soap for stain removal, you’re most likely familiar with using this product for mopping wood floors.
In addition to using it for cleaning wooden floors and polishing banisters, it can help you get essential oils out of clothes. Here’s how you can use it.
First, add water to the piece of cloth or dampen the stain and wring it out. Then apply Murphy’s soap to the oily stain. Rub in the soap with your fingers and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
When the time is up, wash it in the washing machine and add more soap. Check if the stain is gone before drying the clothes in the dryer.
6. Eucalyptus Oil
It sounds like a sticky situation, right? It’s not. Eucalyptus essential oil has the power to lift and remove stubborn grease marks. Since the oil contains cineol, a natural grease or oil solvent, it can help you get essential oils out of clothes.
And here’s the kicker… it’s also used in petroleum-based solvents and in the renovation of cars and furniture.
There are different ways you can use eucalyptus oil. You can soak the clothes with water and eucalyptus essential oil, but for the best result, add a few drops to the stain for 30 minutes. After that, rinse with warm water and repeat until the essential oil stain is gone.
Ultimately, you can use eucalyptus to remove essential oil stains from clothes. Work smarter, not harder, when choosing a stain removal agent.
7. Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol and isopropyl alcohol are strong degreasing agents. They are cheap and effective when it comes to dissolving and lifting essential oil stains from clothes.
So if you’ve tried using detergents without getting any results, use rubbing alcohol to remove essential stains from clothing.
To use rubbing alcohol, moisten a piece of cloth or cotton ball or use a spray bottle and gently dab or blot the stained area.
The alcohol helps to disperse the essential oil and facilitate its removal. Remember to use a piece of paper towel under the stain so it can absorb the oil.
Also, test the rubbing alcohol on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric first to ensure it doesn’t cause any discoloration or damage. After the stain is removed, flush your garments or fabric with water to remove the detergent and excess rubbing alcohol, and air dry them.
If you use rubbing alcohol correctly, you can use it as a valuable tool to remove essential oils from clothes and restore their appearance.
8. Blot The Stain
Use a clean cloth or paper towel to gently blot the stained area. Blotting a stain with a cloth or sponge helps absorb the oil and prevent it from spreading further.
Using this method also helps reduce the risk of wear and tear on the fabric.
How to Get Essential Oil Odor Out of Clothes
Photo by Ron Lach
If you want to remove essential oil odor from your clothes, use white vinegar or baking soda before washing them.
After washing the clothes in the washing machine, add activated charcoal to the detergent and distilled or white vinegar when rinsing the clothes.
Now, washing with regular detergents may not help you get rid of lingering odors, but applying a baking soda paste to an essential oil stain can help absorb the smell before washing.
So use activated charcoal, soap, and baking soda to remove strong odors. This simple technique is also great for removing perfume scents.
How to Get Old Oil Stains Out of Clothes
Ever tried to remove an old stain? Chances are you have, and you failed to remove it. You see, fresh stains are easier to remove than old ones. However, it’s still possible to remove essential oil stains.
With a little bit of effort and the right cleaning supplies, you can get rid of these pesky marks. One of the most effective methods for removing older oil stains is to use Murphy’s Oil Soap.
Another method you can use on old stains is baking soda and vinegar. This helps break up stubborn oil stains if they’ve been sitting around for a while.
To use, mix equal parts of baking soda and white vinegar to form a thick paste. Spread the paste over your oil-stained clothing and leave it to dry overnight.
Once dry, brush off the remains and wash as normal – you’ll see an incredible transformation!
How to use essential oils on clothes without staining them?
Using essential oils to scent your clothes is a great way to stay fresh and smell pleasant throughout the day.
However, they can leave stains on your clothes if you’re not careful. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to ensure that you don’t ruin your laundry with essential oil or grease stains.
First, always dilute essential oils before spraying them on your clothes. This not only makes it easier to apply but also helps reduce sensitivity risks when using them.
Also, instead of spraying directly onto the clothing, use a diffuser; this keeps the oils on longer and gives your garments that sexy smell without discoloration or damage.
Last but not least, always be sure to machine or hand wash as soon as possible after applying essential oils so that they don’t settle into fabrics.
By following these simple tips you can enjoy their natural scent without ruining your clothes
Additional Tips and Precautions
To ensure you get essential oil from clothes successfully and prevent damage to your clothes, keep these tips and precautions in mind:
- Treating delicate fabrics: Delicate fabrics such as silk or wool require professional cleaning to avoid further damage.
- Seeking professional help: If you’re uncertain about how to handle a particular fabric or stain, consult a professional cleaner for guidance
- Exercise caution when using essential oils. Consider using protective clothing or placing a towel or cloth over your garments when applying oils.
Conclusion
While essential oils provide a soothing and pleasant scent and are therapeutic, accidental spills and stains can happen.
The good news is that you can remove essential oils from your clothes using these natural remedies we’ve discussed, for example, baking soda or rubbing alcohol. Remember to act quickly and choose the right cleaning method.
Using the above steps or techniques to remove essential oil stains can help you restore your garments. Always take precautions and test cleaning agents on a small area before applying them to the stained fabric. Have you used these methods to remove essential oils from your clothes? Let me know in the comments below.
FAQs
- Can I use bleach to remove essential oil stains? No, it’s not recommended to use bleach on essential oil stains as it can cause further discoloration and damage to the fabric.
- How long should I let the cleaning agents sit on the stain? The duration may vary depending on the cleaning agent and stain type. Follow the instructions provided and avoid letting the cleaning agent dry completely on the fabric.
- Will essential oils stain all types of fabrics? Essential oils can potentially stain fabrics, but the extent of the stain and difficulty of removal may vary depending on the fabric type and oil used.
- Are there any natural alternatives to commercial cleaning agents? Yes, baking soda, vinegar, and dish soap are effective natural alternatives for removing essential oil stains from clothes.
- Is it necessary to wash the stained fabric immediately? Acting quickly is advisable, but if immediate washing is not possible, take immediate blotting action and proceed with stain removal as soon as possible to prevent the stain from setting.