How to Avoid Oil and Grease Stains in Fabric

Getting a stain doesn't mean your clothing is ruined. There are a number of easy and inexpensive ways to get stains out of most garments. This article will provide advice on how to remove stains from most common fabrics.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clothes detergent
• Dish detergent
• Stain removal agent
• Stain repellent spray

Avoiding Stains In Clothing

1. Avoid stains from setting in to your clothes after a spill by not allowing them to dry. If you let them dry, they can seep into the clothing fibers. If possible remove the stained garment and immediately allow it to soak in a little warm water and laundry detergent. You can also try a dish detergent that is designed to remove grease.

2. Remove some particularly difficult stains by the use of specialized chemicals. Shout and Tide are just a few of the companies that offer stain removal agents to apply prior to washing your laundry. Be sure to first apply them to an inconspicuous area to check for colorfastness.

3. Prevent stains by purchasing stain repellent clothing. There are some brands of clothing available that have been pre-treated with stain repellent. Specifically, certain brands of pants, as well as active wear used for such activities as camping or hiking fall into this category. There are also aerosol sprays that can be purchased which assert to provide some degree of protection.

4. Take your clothes to the dry cleaner for assistance with particularly awful stains, or for ones that you aren't sure how to handle. Depending on the fabric and type of stain, some dry cleaners may be able to successfully remove a stain, even if you are not. Especially if it is a delicate or expensive piece, it may be advisable to take it to a professional in the beginning.

5. Prevent stains as much as possible. Removing stains is easy if you don't get them in the first place. Be careful when eating messy foods, or in certain other conditions where stains are likely to occur such as inclement weather.

Tips & Warnings

• If possible teat stains before they dry and seep into the fibers.
• Be careful. Some stains can be avoided by paying a bit of extra attention to your surroundings and what you are doing.
• Before using any stain removal agent, test it on an inconspicuous area of fabric.

[marian1936]

on 10/16/2008 If possible teat stains before they dry and seep into the fibers.

You mean test stains?

My very fancy unwashable dress, worn once, came back from the dry cleaner with a huge dark shadow on the front and a note saying they couldn't remove it. I laid it out on a towel, sprinkled talcum powder on it, massaged the powder into it, and left it for a week. Good as new! This can be done on paper, too. I think bicarbonate of soda would work, also.