How to Remove Liquid Fabric Softener Stains

Liquid fabric softener stains are dark and sometimes oily, which may lead you to believe that they are actually grease stains. These stains occur when undiluted fabric softener comes in contact with clothes. Adding fabric softener when your washer is full of rinse water or using the fabric softener dispenser on your washer are the easiest ways to avoid these difficult stains. If you still have problems with liquid fabric softener stains, dilute the softener before adding it to your laundry.

Things You'll Need

• Bar soap
• Water
• Rubbing alcohol
• White cloth

Instructions

1. Wet a bar of soap, and rub it on the fabric softener stain. Let it sit for several minutes.

2. Rinse well with warm water. Do not place the garment in the dryer until you are certain the stain is removed; heat from the dryer will set the stain. Instead, allow the garment to air dry, then inspect for residual traces of the stain.

3. Pour rubbing alcohol on a white cloth, and sponge on any remaining stains. Let the alcohol sit for five to 10 minutes, then rinse well with warm water.

Tips & Warnings

• For best results, treat the stains as soon as possible.

• You may need to treat the stains more than once to remove them completely.

References

• Utah State University Extension: Stain Removal Techniques
• The Ohio State University Extension: Quick 'n Easy Stain Removal
• Butlers Guild: Stain Removal