Lotions have long been a staple beauty product and should only be applied on your skin, not on your clothes or other fabrics. Since most body lotions and creams include an oily component, it is vital to quickly deal with lotion stains once you discover them on your clothes.
You can remove lotion stains from your clothes with liquid detergent. Apply a little onto the stain and rub it in. Let it sit for 5-10 mins, and wash it in as hot a wash as the fabric can handle. This will also work for sunscreen and many other cream stains.
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Considerations when dealing with a lotion stain
When a blob of lotion or cream lands on your favorite shirt or even on the carpet, the initial task is to remove any excess as much as possible using a spoon, dull knife or edge of a credit card. Rubbing must be avoided at all costs since it will only drive the lotion deeper into the fibers, making it harder to remove the stain.
Follow the same approach when lotion spills on “dry clean only” clothes. Blot the stained area with a dry, paper towel. The earlier the fresh stain is treated, the better the chances of successful removal. Bring the garment to the dry cleaner right away.
In case you are using a home dry-cleaning kit, make sure that you will treat the stain with the provided stain remover agent before putting the garment into the kit’s cleaning bag.
Effective steps on how to remove lotion stains from clothes
When tackling lotion stains, simply follow these steps to effectively eliminate the stain in no time.
- Pre-treat the stained area first, especially the oily component of the stain by applying an enzyme-based stain remover. Use your fingers or a soft-bristled brush to work the product into the stain. In case you do not have a stain removal product, an alternative is a strong liquid detergent or a paste created with powdered detergent and water. Allow the solution to sit on the fabric for at least 15 minutes.
- Lightly brush the stain using a soft-bristled brush, starting from the outer edge and moving towards the center to prevent it from spreading. Rinse the area after with hot water thoroughly.
- Wash the garment as usual, ideally with the hottest water based on the fabric care label. Inspect the site to ensure that it is completely gone before placing it in the dryer.
- When it comes to tinted lotions or creams, extra work is necessary to eliminate any traces of the dye. Prepare a solution of cool water and oxygen-based bleach. Allow the garment to completely soak for a minimum of 8 hours. Inspect if the stain is gone. If it has vanished, wash the garment as usual. If a lingering trace is present, prepare a fresh solution and repeat it. In some cases, it might require several soakings to fully remove the stain.
A faint stain on the fabric can be difficult to spot if it is still wet from the washer. Since using a dryer will set the stain permanently, it is best to allow the garment to air-dry until you are certain that the stain is gone.
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Will hand lotion stain clothes
When using hand lotion, remember that it can stain clothes. Lotions typically contain oil that can leave behind a stain if left on clothes and allowed to set. Remember that once a stain is left to set, it is impossible to remove.
Lotion stains cannot be removed by throwing the stained garment in the washer. Dealing with this type of stain requires a cleaning method that involves the use of stain removal products.
Do lotion stains come out?
A lotion stain is considered tricky to deal with since it contains both water and oil. The stain might be hard to get rid of due to the presence of oil. Throwing the garment into a washer will not fully remove the stain as mentioned earlier. Let us take a look at the steps in effectively removing this type of stain.
- Remove excess lotion off the fabric by using a moist rag. You can also run the garment under a faucet.
- Keep the lotion stain moist to make it easy to remove. Soak the garment in water to prevent it from setting.
- Apply a stain remover on the stained area, ideally one that works best on oil-based stains. Let it soak based on the directions on the product.
- Wash the garment in the washer. Rinse with cool water thoroughly. Do not place the item in the dryer unless the stain is fully removed.
- If traces of the lotion stain linger, repeat the steps above as necessary until the stain is completely removed.
How do you get Tiger Balm out of clothes?
As an ointment, Tiger Balm can leave behind a greasy stain on clothes. The oil-based stains are hard to remove but can be done using several items you have at home. The key to easier removal is to treat the stain right away. Let us take a look at the steps.
- When a blob of Tiger Balm lands on your shirt, use a dull knife to lift away as much ointment as possible. Avoid rubbing since it will only drive the ointment deeper into the fibers, making it harder to remove the stain.
- Treat the fabric with a stain remover product that contains the enzyme lipase to break down the oil. Work the cleaner into the stain with a soft-bristled brush. An alternative is a heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent that contains stain-lifting enzymes. Leave the cleaning solution in place for at least 15 minutes and scrub gently.
- Wash the garment, as usual, using the hottest water. Do not place in a dryer if the stain lingers. The heat from the dryer can set the stain, making it impossible to remove.
- If the ointment is tinted, especially the red variant of Tiger Balm, extra work is needed to get rid of any traces of the dye. Prepare a mixture of oxygen-based bleach and cool water. Immerse the fabric into the solution and allow it to absorb for a minimum of 8 hours.
Video: Will lotion stain your clothes
Final thoughts
Lotions are known to stain clothes since they have oil content. If you want to effectively eliminate any lotion stains on your favorite clothes, the techniques on how to remove lotion stains from clothes will greatly help.
