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Member since 3/7/14
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Posted on: 5/2/19 0:00 AM ET
I just finished sewing myself a cotton dress from a chocolate brown 100% cotton bedsheet. I spilled oil on it the first day. I tried the internet suggestion of using baking soda and dish soap but to no avail. I didn't use the dryer but I did line dry it, which seems to set stains just as effectively as a dryer.

I really love cotton for dresses but I get frustrated by how easilly oil stains become a problem. Can these actually be dealt with or do I need to look to something else for breathable, lightweight fabric? Are there fabrics that are more stain repellant but are still breathable? Any tips for removing the oil or alternative fabrics would be appreciated.
  
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Posted on: 5/2/19 0:39 AM ET
I’ve had great luck removing yuk with the product “shout”
  
Member since 4/1/08
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Posted on: 5/2/19 0:46 AM ET
In reply to rose mawhor
A couple owns our favorite neighborhood Italian place. I mentioned the balsamic and olive oil stains from their house dressing. She recommended rubbing with bar soap before washing. Works well and we can keep enjoying their house dressing.
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Each fallen petal reveals a life pollinated by a colony
and nurtured by The Master Gardener.
  
Member since 3/24/04
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Posted on: 5/2/19 0:51 AM ET
In reply to rose mawhor
I use cheap shampoo as a pretreatment. Or something like Lestoil.
  
Member since 2/9/04
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Posted on: 5/2/19 7:50 AM ET
CitraSolv concentrated formula
applied to the stain usually gets the job done for me, when nothing else works. Rinse out well with warm or hot before putting into washer. And, It can melt some plastics.
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Member since 9/26/05
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Posted on: 5/2/19 8:10 AM ET
I try to rub a bit of Dawn dishwashing liquid into the oily spot as soon as I can. I rinse it out with warm tap water and then launder the item as usual. This works really well on spots that are fairly fresh.

Unfortunately I am bad about not noticing I got something oily on my clothes until after they've been through the washer and drier. Will Citra Solv work on stains like that?



-- Edited on 5/2/19 at 8:16 AM --
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"The 5000-year-old success story among clothing designs is a piece of cloth with a hole cut in the middle for your head." (Mary Lee Trees Cole)
  
Member since 10/27/05
Posts: 114
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Posted on: 5/2/19 8:20 AM ET
Try Zout....I have been using it for years to get oil stains out...and grass, blood,etc. This product is at my local grocery store. I have boys and it gets used regularly.
  
Member since 12/3/06
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Posted on: 5/2/19 8:22 AM ET
Ronsonal lighter fluid removes oily spots. This used to be stated on the bottle. I have used it for many years. If I did not have it at the ready, I would use Dawn.

Dab. Wait at least 15 min, then wash.

Best wishes.



-- Edited on 5/2/19 at 8:48 AM --
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OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
  
Member since 1/12/04
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Posted on: 5/2/19 8:45 AM ET
In reply to rose mawhor
I’ve tried several of the things mentioned, and sometimes they are effective. Has anyone mentioned just rubbing cornstarch into the stain and letting it sit awhile? That’s another thing that sometimes works.

One thing I have noticed about stains in cotton is that they also just tend to disappear over time. If you try these different remedies and they don’t work, and if you can stand to wear the dress with a stain in it, then just keep doing that, keep washing it and eventually it may disappear.

I also try to remember to not put anything with stains in it in the dryer.

Personally I stay away from solid colour cottons, even in tshirts, because of the inevitability of them becoming stained. A patterned fabric will hide the stains much better.


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Posted on: 5/2/19 8:53 AM ET
I have used Shout for years. It works usually. There is another company that sells different products for different specific type stains. It comes in small yellow bottles, is pricey, and works. What I have finally succumbed to doing is taking a nice white linen napkin folded up in my pocket. When my food arrives at a restaurant with lousy napkins, I just take out my own napkin and nobody really notices that I have finally succumbed to reality ;-)
  
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