How to get olive oil out of fabric

Here at Treurer it pains us to think that even one drop of a product as precious to us as extra virgin olive oil could be wasted. But to be honest, even we have broken in the past a bottle of our olive oil. So we know what it takes to clean it up. Sometimes it has not been so simple since we are talking about a greasy product. Therefore, we have thought that it’d be practical to talk about the different ways to remove olive oil stains depending on surfaces. Although honestly, we hope that you never find yourself in that situation.

How to remove olive oil stains according to:

The tissue:

1. Linen or cotton.
2. Silk garments.
3.  
4. Suede or velvet.
5. Synthetic fabrics.
6. Wool clothes

The surface:

1. Parquet
2. Wall

Truth to be told, you don’t have to break a bottle to stain a piece of clothing or surface. While we cook or even when we are careless when eating we can stain ourselves. If the stain is considerable, you may have noticed that hand or machine washing is usually not enough for certain garments.

If you don’t have a specific product to remove olive oil stains, with the aim of not damaging the garment with multiple washes, there are certain home tricks that can help you remove them. As you can imagine, as olive oil producers we know better. In fact we have used these tricks more than once, using products we usually have around, with no need to use more chemicals.

1. To remove oil stains on linen or cotton

First of all, if the oil stain is recent and the affected fabric is linen or cotton, you can cover it for a few minutes with talcum powder or bicarbonate of soda to allow the fat to absorb, then apply detergent to the stain and rub with smoothness. Then you just have to wash the garment as usual.

If it hasn’t been possible to wash it immediately and it has been a while since the oil stain occurred, you can apply a few drops of 90º alcohol, which we usually buy in pharmacies for domestic use. Thus, before dry oil stains, this alcohol can be applied for a few minutes, then gently rub the area with warm water and soap by hand and, of course, take the garment to the washing machine.

2. To remove olive oil stains on denim.

In these cases, we recommend to use dishwashing soap with bicarbonate. You just have to apply the mixture and rub the stained area of the denim garment, leaving it to act for a few minutes. The garment can then be placed in the washing machine and washed as usual. It’s important to avoid tricks that use lemon, as citric acid can affect the color of this fabric and weaken the fibers.

3. To clean olive oil stains on silk garments.

When removing a stain of this type from a silk garment, pay attention, first, to the instructions on the label. It’s possible to use vinegar by diluting it in a container with cold water and applying this mixture to the stain with a sponge. Then the garment can be left to soak for a few minutes and later rinsed with plenty of cold water.

Afterwards, the washing machine can be used to finish cleaning the garment, but it must be taken into account that due to the composition of the fabric, it’s important not to use any type of dishwashing soap. So if the stain has persisted, or if it was a sizeable stain, it’s a good idea to apply a thick layer of cornstarch and let it sit for a few hours before washing the garment.

4. To remove olive oil stains from synthetic garments.

You only need to use an absorbent product such as baking soda or cornstarch, letting it act on the stain. Alternatively, you can also use dishwashing soap on the area, rubbing the stain and removing the excess with water. Then you should put the garment in the washing machine and use the water as hot as it allows.

5. To clean olive oil stains on wool garments.

Unlike cotton or synthetic fabrics whose fibers are of plant origin, wool fibers are more delicate as they are of animal origin. Humidity and heat are factors that tend to damage this type of garment, so we don’t usually put them in the washing machine. For this reason, if it is this garment that is stained with oil, what we recommend is to use the baking soda method that we have previously mentioned, letting it rest for a few minutes.

If the stain was especially serious and on a light-colored garment, hydrogen peroxide could also be added to the baking soda. Then you could take the garment to the washing machine (on a short program or for delicate garments and without spinning) and add a few drops of dishwashing soap to the usual detergent. It’s important to remember that wool garments can become deformed if they are hung out, so it’s better to lay them flat to dry.

6. To clean olive oil stains on suede or velvet.

Apply a layer of salt, cornstarch or baking soda on the stain and let it sit for at least two hours. When the salt has acted to absorb the excess oil, take a brush and gently rub the surface of the fabric, in one direction and then the other. In these cases, it’s worth mentioning that it’s important to treat the stain as soon as possible and that some more delicate garments should be taken to the dry cleaner.

On the other hand, beyond clothing, there are other difficult surfaces that can be sprayed with drops of olive oil. Generally, to clean olive oil stains from floors, furniture and other surfaces, soap and water is sufficient. However, there are two slightly more delicate surfaces such as parquet and a painted wall that might need an extra effort.

7. To remove olive oil stains from parquet.

If you have spilled olive oil on a parquet surface, it’s advisable to rub it with a cloth impregnated with turpentine oil. Later, wax could then be applied to nourish the surface and protect it.

8. To remove olive oil stains from the wall.

If the wall can be cleaned, ideally use soap and water on a cloth and absorb excess moisture with a dry cloth or kitchen paper. In these cases, ammonia or cleaning vinegar can be effective with the mixture of soap and water, especially if the stains are larger.

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Extra virgin olive oil is a key ingredient in the Mediterranean diet.

Treurer's extra virgin olive oil is a balanced product, carefully produced on a small estate in Mallorca. Cold extracted and bottled on demand so it preserves all its qualities intact when it arrives at your home.

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