Removing Vaseline Stains From T-Shirts: A Quick Guide

Vaseline is great for moisturising your skin, but it can leave stubborn stains on your clothes. If you notice a Vaseline stain on your favourite shirt, don't panic—there are several ways to get rid of it. The key is to act fast and treat the stain while it's still fresh. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to get Vaseline out of your T-shirt.

Scrape off excess Vaseline

The first step to removing Vaseline stains from a T-shirt is to scrape off the excess Vaseline. This is important to prevent excess oil from setting into the fabric. Use a butter knife, a plastic knife, a spoon, or a flexible kitchen spatula to carefully scrape away the Vaseline without pushing it deeper into the fibres of the fabric. Go slowly and gently to avoid spreading the stain. If you don't have a suitable implement to hand, you could also use a dry paper towel to carefully lift away the excess Vaseline.

The sooner you can remove the excess Vaseline, the better your chances of lifting the stain. However, if you don't have time to treat the stain immediately, you can absorb the oil by sprinkling the greasy area with cornstarch, baby powder, or talcum powder.

Use dish soap

Removing Vaseline Stains with Dish Soap

Step 1: Scrape off Excess Vaseline

First, use a butter knife, a plastic knife, or a flexible kitchen spatula to gently scrape away excess Vaseline from the garment. Be careful not to push the Vaseline deeper into the fabric fibres. Blot any remaining stain with a white terry cloth towel or a paper towel.

Step 2: Apply Dish Soap

Once the excess Vaseline is removed, take a small amount of dish soap, which typically cuts through grease, and gently rub it into the stain. Put both hands on both sides of the cloth and rub them together to ensure the soap reaches all parts of the stain. For delicate fabrics, use your fingers or a soft cloth to rub the dish soap in. For more durable materials, you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a soft scrub brush to work the soap into the fabric.

Step 3: Rinse with Warm or Hot Water

Rinse the soapy area with warm or hot water. You can use the faucet or run the garment under the sink. This will help remove the soap and, hopefully, the oil. You may need to rub the fabric with dish soap a few times to see a difference.

Step 4: Apply a Stain Remover (Optional)

If the stain is particularly stubborn, you can apply a stain remover to the fabric and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Be sure to read the instructions on the stain remover to prevent discolouration, especially if it contains bleach. Alternatively, you can use liquid laundry detergent or rub a wet bar of regular soap on the stain.

Step 5: Rinse Again and Wash

Rinse the stain under the sink with hot water. Get all of the soap or stain remover out. Then, wash the garment in the hottest water possible, either by hand or in the washing machine. Check the care label to ensure hot water is safe for the fabric. If not, use warm water instead.

Step 6: Check the Stain and Repeat if Necessary

After washing, check the garment to see if the Vaseline stain is gone. If the stain is still visible, do not put the item in the dryer as this will set the stain. Repeat the above steps until the stain is no longer visible.

Rinse with hot water

Rinsing with hot water is an important step in removing Vaseline stains from clothing. After applying a stain treatment, such as dish soap, vinegar, or stain remover, it is crucial to use hot water to rinse away the excess soap and, hopefully, the rest of the stain.

The hot water should be allowed to run over the treated area of the garment, ensuring that all the soap is rinsed out. This step helps to lift the stain and remove the oily residue left by the Vaseline. It is important to note that cold water should be avoided, as it can set oil stains and make them more difficult to remove.

After rinsing with hot water, it is recommended to launder the garment with the hottest water setting possible, according to the care instructions on the clothing label. This helps to ensure that any remaining traces of Vaseline are completely removed.

If the stain is still visible after rinsing and washing, it is important to avoid putting the item in the dryer. Instead, repeat the treatment process until the stain is no longer visible.

Using hot water is a key step in effectively removing Vaseline stains from clothing. It helps to rinse away the treatment products and lift the stain from the fabric. By following this step, you can increase the chances of successfully removing the Vaseline stain from your T-shirt.

Wash with laundry detergent and vinegar

To get Vaseline out of a T-shirt, you can wash it with laundry detergent and vinegar. Here is a detailed guide:

Step 1: Scrape Off Excess Vaseline

First, use a butter knife, a plastic knife, or a flexible kitchen spatula to gently scrape away excess Vaseline from the T-shirt. Be careful not to push the Vaseline deeper into the fabric fibres. Blot any remaining stain with a white terry cloth towel or a paper towel.

Step 2: Treat with Dish Soap

Once you've removed the excess, it's time to treat the stain with dish soap. Gently rub a small amount of dish soap into the stain. If the T-shirt is made of delicate fabric, use your fingers or a soft cloth to massage the soap in. For more durable fabrics, you can use a soft brush or toothbrush.

Step 3: Rinse with Hot Water

Rinse the excess soap and hopefully some of the stains away with hot water. Turn on the hot water tap and hold the stained section under the water. Make sure no cold water touches the fabric, as cold water can set oil stains.

Step 4: Wash with Laundry Detergent and Vinegar

Now it's time to wash the T-shirt in the washing machine. Use the hottest water setting recommended on the garment's care label. Add your regular laundry detergent and one tablespoon of white vinegar to the wash. The vinegar will help to break down the oils in the Vaseline stain.

Step 5: Check the Stain and Repeat if Necessary

After the wash cycle, check the T-shirt to see if the Vaseline stain is completely gone. If the stain is still visible, do not put the T-shirt in the tumble dryer, as this will set the stain. Instead, repeat steps 2 to 4 until the stain is no longer visible.

Bonus Tip:

Always check the care label before treating and washing your T-shirt to ensure you don't damage the fabric. If the garment is labelled as "dry clean only," it's best to take it to a professional dry cleaner.

Repeat until the stain is gone

If the stain persists, a combination of stain remover (like Shout) and Dawn dish soap can be used. You can also try applying rubbing alcohol (aka isopropyl alcohol), but use caution on coloured fabrics to avoid altering the dye. Repeat the following steps until the stain is gone.

Firstly, you will want to scrape as much Vaseline off the item of clothing as possible without pushing it deeper into the fabric. You can do this by scraping with the dull side of a butter knife or a plastic spatula. Blot or dab the remaining stain with a cloth or towel.

Once the excess Vaseline is removed, use some dish soap that generally works to break down grease, and gently rub it into the stain. For delicate fabrics, use your fingers or a soft cloth to rub the dish soap in. For more durable materials, use a soft brush or toothbrush.

Next, you can use hot water to rinse the excess soap and hopefully the stain away.

After washing the Vaseline, you can place the item into the washing machine. Put it on a hot water setting with your regular laundry detergent and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar.

After the washing cycle finishes, check your clothes to see if the Vaseline has been completely removed. If the stain is still visible, don’t put it into the tumble dryer yet as you wouldn't want the stain to set in.

Frequently asked questions