Castor oil is a popular magical potion for your hair, skin, and general health. As your daily companion, castor oil conscientiously cares for your beauty and wellness, but do you know the scariest part of having a greasy friend? Alas! It is getting a stubborn fatty stain on your favorite tee. Since the oil is a water-insoluble viscous liquid, it firmly grips the fibers of your fabric and leaves an indelible stain that’s difficult to wash off.
But fret not because here we have ‘not one but four solutions’ to your one problem. We tried and tested 4 DIY hacks that proved true in degreasing the toughest of all castor oil taints. So scroll down to explore these easy and quick methods using simple kitchen and laundry ingredients. But before it, know “What does castor oil stain look like” and “Why is castor oil stain so stubborn.” Let’s dig in.
What Does Castor Oil Stain Look Like?
Castor oil is a thick and viscous water-insoluble liquid. It is pale yellow to transparent in hue with a mildly nauseating scent. When you accidentally spill castor oil on your fabric, it quickly gets attached to the fibers owing to its sticky nature and forms bonds with the cellulose threads of the fabric. If you promptly act, you can easily break the bonds and remove the stain. Nevertheless, if you don’t blot it but rub it hard, the stain may become challenging and impossible to wash. Usually, such blots appear as a prominent spot on white clothing as they are transparent to pale yellow.
Why Is Castor Oil Stain So Stubborn?
Chemically, castor oil is a triglyceride, a three-fatty acid compound linked to a glycerol backbone. Since triglycerides are hydrophobic, meaning they repel water, castor oil does not dissolve with water and makes a stubborn stain. Moreover, castor oil’s sticky, dense nature makes it stick to the fabric fibers firmly, ultimately making it challenging to remove. However, the stubbornness of the stain depends on the fabric type, irrational prompt cleaning actions (e.g., vigorous rubbing), and the time lapse between getting the blot and removing it.
Also Read: What is Black Castor Oil Good for? Revealing the Secret Benefits and Uses of JBCO
How To Get Castor Oil Out Of Clothes? Tried And Tested Methods
Here’s the list of the top 4 true, tried, and tested methods you can conveniently adopt to get castor oil out of clothes. All the ingredients you need are readily available at local supermarkets, and you are already familiar with these kitchen and laundry stuff. So let’s get started.
#1 Baking Soda+ Detergent Method
For this quick solution, we are using baking soda and laundry detergent. Baking soda is chemically known as sodium bicarbonate NaHCO3, a fine white powder typically used in baking bread and cakes. Moreover, for the detergent selection, you can opt for the best-quality washing powder and dishwashing liquid that may not potentially damage your delicate fabrics.
Supplies You’ll Need
- Baking Soda (you can replace it with cornstarch which is also an excellent oil-absorbent)
- Laundry Detergent (of your choice)
- Dishwashing liquid
- Blotting paper/paper towel/clean washcloth
- Warm water
- Washing machine
Quick And Easy Steps
- Blot the fresh castor oil stain with a blotting paper or towel. However, do not press too hard or rub the stain; it will penetrate the microfibers and become permanent. Gently put the blotting paper to extract the excess oil.
- Cover the remaining stain with baking soda or cornstarch and lightly press to cover the stain adequately. Baking soda or cornstarch will absorb more oil, making it less greasy and sticky. Let the powder sit for about 15 minutes.
- After that, remove the baking powder using a fine brush or shake the fabric to dust off any particles. This step is essential before applying any liquid to the satin; if you don’t, it will make damp flakes or slugs of powder on your fabric.
- Next, apply a small amount of dishwashing liquid or liquid detergent to the stain and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Using warm water, rinse the area thoroughly to remove all the castor oil trapped there. Here warm water is essential to help break fatty oil bonds and effectively remove the stain.
- Lastly, wash your clothes using a high-quality laundry detergent and warm water to remove any color taints of the castor oil. Examine your clothes properly and repeat the steps if necessary. However, this method effectively works for all castor oil stains created fresh. Remember that old oil taints take time to clear with multiple washes or may not clear at all.
- Always try chemical cleaning substances like liquids and detergents on an inconspicuous area to avoid damage to the fabric. Moreover, read the fabric instructions before choosing the correct cleaning method.
#2 The Laundry Method
This quick and easy method employs pretreatment laundry or commercial stain remover. These degreasers are readily available at supermarkets at relatively affordable prices; you can grab them and try this method at home. You can complete the washing procedure yourself or send your garment to the dry cleaners after the pretreatment with commercial stain remover.
Supplies Youll Need
- Pretreatment laundry stain remover
- Liquid detergent or a high-quality washing powder
- Chlorine or oxygen bleach
- Absorbent paper towels
- Dry cleaning solvent
Quick And Easy Steps
- Act promptly after you get a castor oil stain, or it will become permanent. Blot the oily stain with a blotting paper to remove excess oil. Then, grab your commercial stain remover and apply it directly on the stain. Let it sit for the recommended time, as mentioned on the product’s label.
- After this, wash your garment with a high-quality washing powder or liquid detergent or send your fabric to the laundry store for dry cleaning.
- You can also try the dry cleaning method yourself. For this, apply the solvent at the back of your stain with an absorbent paper towel on the other side. The solvent will remove the stain, and the paper will absorb all the grease.
- If your garment is white and the castor oils’ pale yellow stain is visible, try bleaching it with chlorine or oxygen bleach. But before using it, carefully read the fabric instructions and check if you can use bleach on your fabric or not.
- Lastly, inspect your fabric to see if the stain is permanently gone. However, if you feel the results are not 100%, repeat the above steps or get a professional laundry wash.
#3 The Dish Soap Method
The dish soap method is for small and light stains of castor oil. Remember that this method will work if you act promptly after getting a castor oil stain. It is because dish soap is milder than commercial degreasers. However, it’s good because it’s easy, quick, and affordable.
Supplies Youll Need
- Dish soap liquid
- Warm water
- Laundry detergent
Quick And Easy Steps
- Blot your castor oil stain with good-quality absorbent paper.
- Mix a small amount of dish soap with warm water in a bowl. Apply this mixture to the stain and gently rub and rinse using a soft brush or your fingers. Then, let it sit for about 20-30 minutes.
- Gently rinse the stain with warm water and quickly wash it in a washing machine with the laundry detergent of your choice. Inspect the stain and repeat the steps. If the color stain is visible, you can also try bleaching your fabric if instructed on the garments label.
#4 Baking Soda+ Vinegar Method
It is a two-kitchen-ingredient method because baking soda and vinegar are always available in your kitchen. It will cost you nothing, so it’s affordable and reliable.
Supplies Youll Need
- Baking soda
- White Vinegar
- Warm water
- Laundry detergent
Quick And Easy Steps
- Blot away excess castor oil from your fabric.
- Mix an equal proportion of baking soda and white vinegar to paste. Apply this paste directly on the stain and gently rub it using your fingers or a soft brush to help the mixture penetrate the fabric.
- Let it sit for about 30 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
- Wash your fabric with laundry detergent as usual. Examine if the stain is gone, bleach, or repeat the above steps.
Getting You Out Of Trouble
Due to its high viscosity and fatty nature, castor oil can make stubborn stains on your clothes. However, if you act immediately after getting a castor oil stain, you can remove it permanently using quick and easy methods, as mentioned above. Besides these true, tried, and tested methods, you can also try using rubbing alcohol, acetone, lemon, or enzyme-based degreasers; they do work, but we don’t prefer them because these chemicals may damage your fabric.
The above-stated methods are entirely harmless and reliable. Nevertheless, always read fabric instructions before applying anything on your garment and try such chemicals on an inconspicuous area. Moreover, always wear hand gloves when dealing with heavy-duty detergents and degreasers.
