Lathering your little one in a baby oil after a nice warm shower is such a sweet moment – it’s not only about moisturizing your baby’s delicate skin, but mainly the infant massage is perfect time for bonding!
But soon you may realize that some accident may happen – spilled baby oil and a stain on your favorite nursing tank top or on those adorable baby onesies!
I know from my own experience that it ALWAYS happen: bottle of baby oil leaks, could be knocked over, and sometimes even slips through your buttery fingers mid-massage, and you’re left with an oily mess.
It turns out baby oil is determined to make its mark and find its way to fabrics where it can be absorbed and, in some way, live forever.
Are you frustrated because you can’t figure it out how to get baby oil out of clothes or can’t remove the baby oil stains from your bedding? You’re in the right place!
Don’t call it a lost cause yes – you definitely don’t need to toss out that favorite top or baby’s pajamas because of these pesky stains.
In this article I’m going to share with you my hacks that not only saved my children’s onesies but also removed the most stubborn baby oil stains from delicate fabrics of my clothes.
This article is not a substitute for medical advice.
Guide To Removing Baby Oil Stains
Here is a simple guide to help you get baby oil out of clothing, including delicate fabrics and light colors.
Regardless of the method you choose to remove baby oil stains, the first step is to ensure you absorb the excess baby oil using paper towels or baby powder before you begin treating the stained area.
Make sure you read the care instructions on the fabric before treating stains with any harsh dry cleaning solvent or products like baking soda and vinegar as these can cause fabric colors to fade. (We don’t want to get baby oil out, and have a faded patch in its place!)
One last tip to keep in mind about removing baby oil from clothing is that it needs to be done asap. The longer the oil stays on the baby’s clothes, the harder it will be to remove stains later. So jump in with your stain removal process the minute you get free and don’t leave it for laundry day.
Does Baby Oil Stain Clothes?
Yes, baby oil stains clothes and these pesky stains may be pretty hard to remove.
Traditional baby oils like Johnson & Johnson are based on mineral oil which has liquid paraffin and vaseline. Some of the ingredients in these types of oil can stain clothing causing the area to appear as greasy patches, or darker on light clothes.
On the other hand, some of the high-quality and safer baby oils (that are now getting more and more popular) are based on essential and natural oils like avocado, coconut, and olive oil. Even though they may be a bit easier to get out of clothing, they are still can stain baby’s onesies or your favorite tank top.
Either way, since baby oil stains clothes, your first choice should be to avoid an oil stain by using a clean towel to cover surfaces and avoid any spills. But since accidents can and will happen, act quickly, blot excess oil with paper towels, pre-treat the oily area and soak it in hot water. No, wait, the hottest water you can stand!
How To Get Baby Oil Stains From Clothes Fast
Here are 8 methods to remove big spills and even the slightest amount of oil from your baby’s clothes1. Always read the washing and care instructions on the clothes when deciding which method is best for removing stains.
Method 1: Baby Powder
The easiest and safest way to remove oily stains from baby clothes is to use baby powder.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of powder on the stain and leave it overnight.
- Dust the powder off in the morning.
- Rinse the fabric using laundry soap, dish detergent, or just a bar of regular oil-absorbing soap.
By the way, baby powder is also one of the best ways to get rid of baby oil out of hair.
Method 2: Dishwashing Liquid Or Dish Soap
If there is one powerful ingredient in my kitchen, it is that innocent-looking bottle of dishwashing liquid that sits on the sink. it may look simple, but it is actually stronger than most laundry detergents.
- Cover the oil stain in dishwashing liquid/dish soap
- Gently rub in the dishwashing soap to make sure it is absorbed into the stands of the fabric.
- Forget about the stain for the next half an hour
- Rinse the fabric in hot water and watch the oily stain disappear forever.
Don’t have dishwashing liquid? Use dish soap instead. Just be sure to do a patch test to make sure the dish soap isn’t too harsh on the fabric.
Method 3: Baking Soda
You must be aware of the power of baking soda (Is there anything this product can not do? From absorbing smells from the fridge to coming to the rescue during last-minute science projects, this ingredient is magic. Frankly, I don’t see why it doesn’t come with a cape.
- To get baby oil out, cover the area in baking powder. and add a few drops of water. Alternatively, you could also use make a mixture of baking powder and water and rub it on the stain with an old toothbrush.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes and then wash the stain with warm water. Repeat steps if needed.
Method 4: Baking Soda And Vinegar
Sometimes, good old baking soda needs a little backup and white vinegar jumps in to offer that extra punch.
- Make a paste of white vinegar and baking soda and rub it on the stain.
- Leave the mixture for 10 minutes, then wash the clothes with warm water.
This method however is ideal for a tough baby oil stain on a cotton onesie or any white cloth but may be too strong for other fabrics that contain dyes.
Method 5: Hydrogen Peroxide
- Blot the excess oil and rub a few drops of hydrogen peroxide on the stain using a white cloth or sponge.
- Leave on for 10 minutes then rinse with warm water and machine wash at the highest temperature.
Method 6: A Stain Remover
Remove baby oil stains from all kinds of fabrics by using a stain remover.
- Blot excess oil out of clothing using paper towels
- Use a generous amount of stain remover to cover the stain on the clothing.
- Rub if needed and gently hand wash the clothing. Repeat steps if required.
Method 7: Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent isn’t just meant to get oil out of clothes, it is preferred because it is designed to be gentle on fabrics.
- Blot the excess oil out of clothing and cover the stain with a few drops of laundry detergent.
- Gently rub in the detergent with a sponge, a clean white cloth, or an old toothbrush.
- Let it sit for 15 minutes or soak the clothing in the hot water.
- Rinse the stain and repeat the steps if needed.
Method 8: Dry Cleaning Solvent
Your best bet against a stubborn baby oil stain is a dry cleaning solvent like perchloroethylene. But avoid this method on baby clothes as harsh chemicals are not good for your little one’s skin.
- Apply dry cleaning solvent on the stain and let it dry.
- Rinse and repeat steps as required.
How To Remove Baby Oil From Bed Sheets
Oil marks on your bed sheets2 not only look unhygienic and dirty but can spoil the entire look of your room. Here’s how you can treat them:
- Absorb the excess oil from the spill.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of baby powder or baking soda.
- Remove the powder and use one tablespoon of dish detergent or spray on solvent to pre-treat the stain.
- Machine wash at the highest temperature.
How To Remove Baby Oil From Upholstery
Stain removal from upholstery shouldn’t be that hard, right? Well, it isn’t if you follow this step by step guide for removing baby oil strains from upholstery3:
- Blot the oil by using paper towels and cover the area in baby powder or baking soda.
- Use a strong cleaner like a dish detergent or Hydrogen Peroxide and rub with a sponge. You could also spray a dry cleaning solvent.
- Leave on for 10 minutes.
- Gently rub the stain with a clean sponge and repeat the steps as needed.
How To Remove Baby Oil Stains From Carpet
The carpet cleaning process is similar to the upholstery:
- Blot the excess oil and sprinkle baby powder/ baking soda.
- Vacuum the powder and spray the stain with a dry cleaning solvent, or add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide.
- Rub the carpet with a clean white cloth until the stain is removed.
Tips For Getting Rid Of Baby Oil Stains
Here are few more tips and tricks for removing those stubborn stains from baby oil.
- Place a stain removal stick or some laundry detergent next to your bottle of baby oil to get baby oil from clothing in a flash.
- Remember, a blot in time will save you lots of time! So blot first, and curse your klutziness later.
- Never throw away an old toothbrush, a clean white cloth, or a sponge. You will always need them to remove baby oil.
- One tablespoon of dishwashing detergent will go a long way.
- Cold water will set the stain so you need the hottest water there is.
The purpose of this article is informative. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice or medical care. Remember: safety first! Consult your doctor/pediatrician in case of any doubts. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here.
References:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/
https://americantwoshot.com/
https://www.dreft.com/en-us/
Hello Moms! I am Zooey. I am a wife and a mother of three amazing kids: almost 5-year-old Haley and 2-year-old twins Jesse and Matthew. I am a jogger, cooker and blogger.If you have a question or a comment, do not hesitate to write to me! 🙂