How To Get Vaseline Out of Clothes

Vaseline petroleum jelly has been the name of every household since the era of 1800s. Vaseline holds a very special place and the heart of every person since it’s a part of our regular life. Whether it’s for moisturizing your skin or healing or applying on wounds and burnt skin, Vaseline never disappoints.

But on the other hand, Vaseline is one of the substances that contain high amounts of Grease and oil since it belongs to the petroleum jelly family, leaving a stubborn stain everywhere. It’s nothing new that you might touch fabric with the area of your body where you have applied Vaseline.

The result is that the fabric gets stained with the oil and Grease of the Vaseline, which is not easy to remove. In this article, we have got to ways through which you can get rid of those Vaseline stains from clothes. Petroleum jelly tends to get stuck on the clothes releasing oil and hence a very tough oil stain.

However, using iron over the stained part of the cloth to melt the grease present in the Vaseline and removing it with the help of a paper towel is considered to be one of the quickest ways to get rid of Vaseline stains. Another common practice can be the use of dishwashing soap to get rid of petroleum jelly stains from clothes.

Can Vaseline Stain Clothes?

As mentioned, Vaseline is a part of the petroleum jelly family, and hence it is one of the oil-based products that contain a significant amount of Grease. Generally, Vaseline stains clothe quite badly.

The reason behind this can be the composition of petroleum jelly products, and such products are made up of hydrocarbons originating from fossil fuels. Hence such products are insoluble in water, making them a very tough stain that cannot be removed by simple machine washing as the water does not work here.

Vaseline leaves spots on the clothes, making them look ugly.

Does Vaseline Come Out of Clothes?

People generally consider getting rid of Vaseline-based stains and stains from oil-based products to be impossible. However, it is not like that; with proper steps taken and accurately treating clothes, it’s possible to remove petroleum jelly stains from clothes.

The discolouration of the fabric due to the Vaseline stains cannot be removed simply by machine washing; it also needs extra effort and stain removers. Scientifically it’s proven that petroleum jelly is slightly soluble in alcohol; hence with the use of alcohol-based products, we can remove petroleum jelly stains to some extent.

People also consider using turpentine and chloroform, but such products should not be used since they are also oil-based and have stains, and can ruin your clothes.

How To Remove Vaseline From Clothes?

There are so many ways that will help to get petroleum jelly stains out from clothes.

Scrap Off The Excess Vaseline

The immediate step to be taken as soon as you find the Vaseline stain is to scrape off the excess Vaseline. You can do this with the use of blunt-edge metals or a dull knife. This step will help to prevent the absorption of oil by the deeper layers of the fabric. You should do this process quite carefully and should try not to spread out the oil to the larger section of the clothes.

Use Dish Soap

One of the easiest methods to remove petroleum jelly-based Vaseline stains is the dish soap method or dishwashing detergent. Dish soap is a well-known degreaser and hence has great grease-busting properties. Dishwashing soap has chemical formulas that bond both oil and water molecules, thus acting as a bridge between the stain and the water.

• Take a good dishwashing soap and apply a sufficient amount directly on the stain.
• With the help of a finger or a sponge, gently scrub the garment over the soap on the stain.
• Wash clothes with dishwashing soap thoroughly if required.
• Use warm water to rinse off the clothes since oil melts quite well in high temperatures.
• Once done with machine washing in hot water, go for air drying the cloth.

Use of Rubbing Alcohol or Isopropyl Alcohol

A very easy method to remove stains from clothes is to soak them in isopropyl alcohol. Petroleum jellies contain fat lipids. These fat lipids lift the stains from the clothes when dissolved in alcohol. Do not forget to check product reviews before use. Make sure you wear rubber gloves.

For Small Vaseline Stains

• Take a clean white cloth and put it on the back of the stain so that the oil should not pass on to the other parts of the cloth.
• Take a cotton ball and soak it in isopropyl alcohol.
• With the help of a soaked cotton ball, dab on the stain, moving from the outside directly to the inside and rubbing alcohol onto the stain.
• Continue the process till a good amount of alcohol is transferred to the cloth.
• Give it a couple of minutes to set.
• Put the cloth into cool water to rinse thoroughly.
• If you find any discoloration, immediately use dishwashing soap.

For Big Vaseline Stains

• Take isopropyl alcohol in a container.
• Soak the stained clothes directly into the container, making sure you use a flat container and dip only the stained part of the cloth and not the entire cloth.
• Leave it for around 15 to 20 minutes.
• With the help of a soft brush, go for gentle scrubbing on the stained areas.
• Rinse out thoroughly with the hottest water possible, and go for air drying.
• Redo the process if the stain remains.

Use of Vinegar and Baking Soda

Vinegar and baking soda make the perfect combination when it comes to removing oil stains from clothes. The combination is the ideal choice if the fabric cannot undergo tougher products for cleaning. You can refer to this from the care label of the fabric.

• In a bucket, take equal amounts of water and white vinegar.
• Soak the stained part of the cloth into the mixture.
• Wait for 10 to 20 minutes.
• Remove the cloth and squeeze out the excess water.
• Place the cloth on a flat area and take a good amount of baking soda to apply directly on the cloth.
• Go for gentle rubbing using a soft brush or sponge.
• Rinse thoroughly with the help of cold water.
• Go for machine washing if the stain still remains.

Use of Cornstarch

One of the easiest and most effective ways to remove Vaseline from the garments is to use cornstarch. Cornstarch is an amazing oil absorbent and can soak a good amount of oil in a couple of minutes.

• Place a white paper towel on the back of the stained clothes and flatten it up on a flat surface.
• Put a good amount of cornstarch directly over the stain and allow it to set.
• Wait for 20 to 30 minutes.
• With the help of a vacuum, suck up the entire cornstarch.
• Give a good shake to the garment, and you are done.
• You can do the process again if the stain remains.

Using Iron

Temperature plays a crucial role when it comes to removing oil from clothes. On heating the Vaseline, the oil will melt down, which can be further absorbed using paper towels. Go for the care label and check whether clothes can be ironed or not. This will also give you an idea of what temperature cloth can handle.

• Scrape the vaseline as much as possible.
• Put a dry paper towel behind the stained area of the cloth and another dry paper towel on top of the stain.
• Go for gentle ironing with a low setting temperature.
• Remove paper towels again and again and repeat the process 3-4 times or till the same vanishes.
• For better results after ironing, go for dishwashing soap.
• Rinse with hot water.

Usage of Laundry Detergents

Of course, direct machine washing will not help to get rid of Vaseline from fabric, but a good laundry detergent and its direct application over the stained area of the cloth can work magic. A good laundry detergent is very much required, and the identity of a good laundry detergent is its ingredients. Your laundry detergent should have enzymes of lipase or amylase and alcohol ethoxylated. Also, give a check to product reviews.

• Begin with scrapping the Vaseline with a plastic knife or spoon.
• Apply a small amount of laundry detergent directly to the stain.
• With the help of a cloth and sponge, a finger or gentle brush gently rub the fabric.
• Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Later, wash it in the washing machine.

How To Remove Old Vaseline Stains?

As time passes, oil moves into the deeper layer of the fabrics making the stains tougher. Removing this stain from your clothes requires a little bit of patience and appropriate products. You can use cornstarch or baking soda on set petroleum jelly stains.

This works as an ideal hack to get Vaseline out of clothes. When you apply baking soda directly to the stain then, it will start absorbing the oil. You can remove the baking soda and reapply the fresh baking soda, and you can repeat the process while the stain is removed.

Also, go for a treatment of dishwashing soap or laundry detergent treatment so that no amount of stain is left on the fabric. Wash the garment with cold water and then air dry.

How To Get Vaseline Out of Washed Clothes?

Once the cloth has undergone a machine wash due to the friction created in the machine, and with time, the oil moves into the deeper layers of the fabric and hence will require extra effort, time and scrubbing since, by washing, you have set the stain.

You can again go for baking soda or cornstarch-like powdery substances to remove such stains; however, you have to redo the process several times to get the best results.

Additional Tips On How To Get Vaseline Out of Clothes

Vaseline is a product used daily and has a high chance of leaving stains on your favorite dresses and fabrics. It’s quite difficult to avoid Vaseline stains however can be done if you are careful as soon as you find any Vaseline stains. Go for quick remedies such as using baking soda or cornstarch. Here are the tips for removing stains easily.

• Instantly remove the top layer of Vaseline with the help of a credit card or dull knife so that you should not spread the stain.
• Use stain removers and cleaning solutions so that the stains can blot up.
• One of the easy methods is vaseline stain removals which are also available in general groceries and are an excellent solution.
• Always air dry your clothes and never machine dry since machine running stain fabrics can increase the chance of permanent stains.
• Use a good laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid.
• Use hot water since oil-based products go well with high temperatures.
• Always read the laundry guide.
• The best way to wash your stained clothes is to wash them by hand.

FAQS Related To Vaseline Removal From Clothes

How To Remove Vaseline Stains From Cotton Clothes?

Cotton fabrics are always very easy to handle and work upon, and they go for almost every kind of tough product. Hence on cotton fabrics, you can use any of the above-mentioned methods. However, a good dishwashing soap should be used after going for removal using powdery substances such as baking soda or cornstarch.

How To Remove Vaseline From Silk Clothes?

Silk is a delicate fabric, and removing stains from silk fabric is not easy, especially if the stains belong to the petroleum jelly family, which is high in oil content. The first step in dealing with silk fabric is to go thoroughly with the care label present on the cloth.

To avoid dress, you can simply use talcum powder on the stained area of the silk cloth. Sprinkle a sufficient amount of talcum powder and let it sit for around overnight. After 10 to 12 hours, remove the excess powder and go for regular washing and air drying.

A professional cleaner is, however, required to get stains out of clothes.

How To Get Vaseline Out of The Carpet?

Scrape the Vaseline first and use paper towels so that the oil should not penetrate a larger area. Using corn starch on the stained carpet is an ideal solution since the excess amount of contacts can be vacuumed up from the carpet, leaving no residue behind.

Another method can be the use of dishwashing soap over the particular Vaseline-stained area of the carpet. Using stain removers to block the stain is also a good idea. A similar approach can be made if you want to get rid of Vaseline stains from sheets. For materials like sheets, dry cleaning solvents also act as good degreasers.

What Are The Methods To Get Vaseline Removed From Walls?

You might think that getting rid of Vaseline and grease stains from walls is nearly impossible or might be very tricky. However, getting rid of vaseline-stained walls is very easy and can be done in a few steps. All you need to do is

• Just put some amount of dishwashing soap directly on the stained wall and rub it gently with the help of a sponge or a paper towel.
• Let it be there for 20 to 30 minutes.
• After around half an hour, take another fabric rag soaked in warm water.
• After removing the excess water from the fabric rag or cloth and sponge, use it to wipe off the soap from the wall.
• Repeat the process till the stain disappears.

Final Words

Vaseline stains and other oily stains are very tough to remove because they belong to petroleum jelly products which are composed of hydrocarbons and hence difficult to break. Discoloration on the fabric can be seen if any Vaseline stain is present. However, there are many ways to get Vaseline out of your clothes.

The best ones are the stain removers, both dry cleaning solvents and liquid stain removers. In a hurry, you can always opt for ironing the dress, and if not, then you can remove this greasy stain either with the help of white vinegar, baking soda, or cornstarch. Liquid dishwashing soaps and a good laundry detergent with good product reviews are also preferred.