How to Get Coconut Oil Out of Clothes


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Coconut oil is a great ingredient for cooking and personal care, but it can be bad news if it comes in contact with your clothes. Coconut oil stains clothing easily, which means you’ll need to know how to get coconut oil out of fabric if you ever encounter this problem. If you do ever have an accident and get it on your clothing you'll want to know how to get it out. The good news is there are several ways to remove coconut oil from clothes so that they look as good as new once again!

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What is coconut oil and why does it stain fabrics?

Coconut oil is a type of edible oil that has been derived from the meat of coconuts harvested from coconut palm. There are many benefits to using coconut oil in your diet and skincare regimen, but if it spills on your clothes, it can leave behind stains. Even though coconut oil stains fabrics easily, there are ways to remove it from your clothes so no need to worry

What is the Easy Way To Remove Coconut Oil from Clothes?

The easiest way to remove the coconut oil from clothes is to dab it with an absorbent material, pick up the excess with a towel or sponge and then apply baking soda and wash it in your washer, as outlined in the video above.

You can also try making a DIY cleaning solution by mixing 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide with two-thirds cup baking soda and one tablespoon liquid dish soap to create a paste. Spread it on the stain and let it dry for a few hours, then put it in the washer. Be certain to always read your garment tags.

There are also products that you can purchase that will do the trick!  Oxi-Clean, Tide to Go if you're away from home, Zout, Woolite for delicates and those items that are dry clean only are just a few.  Follow the instructions and read your clothing label and you should be good to go in no time! 

What are some commercial products to remove coconut oil from fabric?

You can try using a degreasing dish liquid, laundry detergent, or dry-cleaning fluid. Make sure to test any commercial cleaning agent on a small hidden area of the garment prior to treating the stain. Luckily there are several products on the market today that will get coconut oil stains out in a flash!  One of the most popular and highly rated is Oxi-Clean Max Force spray.  Others are Zout, Persil, Tide to Go and Woolite wipes.  

How do I remove coconut oil stains from clothes when they’ve set in?

If the stain has already dried, just dampen it and then use one of the methods above. It may take a little bit more time to get rid of the stain in this case but it should come out.

What if coconut oil stains my favorite shirt?

If you have a favorite shirt or dress with a fresh oil stain, pour some baby powder on the spot and pat it down. This will absorb most of the oil before you even attempt to clean it. Then, mix a little bit of dish soap with some water and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the stain until it’s thoroughly wet, then add a few drops of laundry detergent and rub the material together for about two minutes before rinsing it. You may need to repeat this process several times before the stain is removed completely.

How do I remove coconut oil stains from clothing made of cotton?

Cotton is a breathable fabric that can wick away moisture, and it also easily absorbs oils and odors. The good news is that it is also sturdy and so the stain should be easier to get out with either a DIY product or one currently on the market.  To clean your cotton clothes, mix one-part hydrogen peroxide with two-parts water and two teaspoons of dish soap, then put this solution in a spray bottle. Spray the stain until it’s thoroughly wet, allowing the mixture to work on the oil for about five minutes before rinsing it with cool water. You can also try mixing baking soda into an enzymatic cleaner like Nature’s Miracle or Simple Solution, which will help to remove the stain. For stubborn stains, try using a degreasing dish liquid mixed with water. Apply it directly to the stain and let it soak overnight. Then launder as usual.  Try this on a small hidden spot first to test the colorfastness of the garment.  

What are some easy ways to avoid coconut oil stains?

If you’re using coconut oil as a means to cook or for your skin care regimen, make sure you know about the many ways it can stain your clothes. This way, if you ever spill some on yourself while cooking in the kitchen or applying it topically, you’ll know how to clean up the mess before it sets in and ruins your clothing. 

Does Coconut Oil Deodorant Stain Clothes?

Well, that depends.  If you want to DIY a coconut oil deodorant you want to follow the instructions for making the deodorant very carefully.  You don't want to simply rub some coconut oil on your armpits and throw on your favorite silk blouse.  There are some great all-natural coconut deodorants on the market that will do the trick and not leave you with an oily mess.

Can I Remove Stains From My Clothing With Vinegar?

Vinegar works great at removing stains from fabrics. Just sprinkle vinegar liberally around the area where the stain occurred, wait 10 minutes, and rinse well. Repeat this step once or twice, depending on the size of the stain. The acidity of the vinegar helps break down any grease left by the stain.

Is there anything else I should know about getting coconut oil out of clothes?

You shouldn’t worry too much about getting coconut oil out of your clothes. It doesn’t take long for the oil to dry and set, but by using some of the tips already mentioned, you should be okay. 

How to handle coconut oil stains on delicate clothing

 If you find yourself wondering how to remove coconut oil stains from delicate clothing such as silk shirts, dresses, blouses, skirts, pants, shorts, socks, underwear, towels, bedding, tablecloths, napkins, curtains, rugs, carpets, upholstery, linens, and many others, then we have some good news for you! You do NOT need to throw away your favorite outfit, curtains, upholstered furniture or linens if they get stained with coconut oil. All you need is an easy homemade or store-bought solution that will help clean the stains right off. Here’s exactly what you need to know:

1) First, make sure you treat the stain as soon as possible after the stain occurs. If you wait until later, the oils could start setting onto the fibers of your fabrics. This means that it may take longer for you to get the stain out or it may take multiple tries.

2) Mix equal parts of water and baking soda together in a bowl. Then add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to the mixture. Stir well. Now dip a cloth into the liquid and gently rub the spot where the oil was applied. Repeat this process several times, if necessary, until the stain disappears completely.

3) Once the stain is gone, rinse the area thoroughly under running tap water. Dry the item properly afterward.

4) Apply a light layer of laundry detergent directly over the stain. Let sit for 5 minutes. Rinse again under running tap water. Do not wring or twist the garment while cleaning.

5) Hang the item to dry. It can take about 24 hours for the entire piece of clothing to dry fully.

6) After drying, iron the item lightly if needed.

7) For upholstered furniture you may want to use a product made specifically for furniture.  There are several on the market and are pretty easy to use.  

8 ) Keep all these tips in mind when dealing with any kind of oily substance. Remember that there are different ways to deal with each type of stain. So always experiment on a small inconspicuous area first before trying any of these methods.

Article Summary:

Coconut oil is very popular and you may spill it onto your clothing and then need a solution for getting it out.  The easiest way to remove the oil stain is by dabbing it with an absorbent material, picking up the excess and then washing or dry cleaning. If that does not work, you can try using things like hydrogen peroxide and baking soda and dish soap, and water. Commercial products may also be used on stubborn stains. If none of these work and the stain is fresh, you can try using baby powder to absorb most of the oil and then use dish soap mixed with water in a spray bottle. If the stain is already set in, apply these solutions directly onto the stain and let it soak for several hours before laundering as usual. 

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Is there anything else I should be aware of when dealing with coconut oil?

When working with coconut oil, keep these things in mind:

•Coconut oil is higher in fat than butter and so to stay heart healthy you want to limit its use in your diet.  However, some studies show that eating small amounts of coconut oil daily doesn’t increase cholesterol levels. In fact, some research shows that people who eat foods high in healthy fats tend to have a lower blood pressure than those who don’t. So, feel free to enjoy a bit in your meals every now and again without worrying too much about its effects on your health.

• Keep it safe. Store coconut oil at room temperature between 60°F and 80°F. It solidifies below 40°F, but you shouldn’t worry about having any problems once it reaches that point. Also, never heat coconut oil above 115°F — doing so destroys its nutrients.

• Be careful where you store it. Make sure you keep coconut oil stored safely in a cool place, preferably somewhere other than your refrigerator. You can buy coconut oil in liquid form, with no scent or taste. 

• Know what goes inside. Some brands of coconut oil include additives that may be harmful to pets and animals.  Always read labels carefully and avoid buying products from companies that list artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilizers, thickeners, sweeteners, or fillers.

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