Polyester, introduced to the American Public in 1951, advertised as a “miracle fiber” so inexpensive and durable, you could even wear it for over two months with little to no maintenance.
We’re not sure if anyone’s tested that claim out, but it’s clearly the right choice of fabric, and it’d be terrible to have to throw it away because of an inadvertent oil stain.
The oil attaches to the polyester’s synthetic fibers, making it one of the more somewhat tricky stains to remove.
The good news is oil stains are possible to remove if you know how to get them out swiftly and effectively – and you can do it using just some everyday household products.
That’s why it’s so essential for you to know how to remove oil stains from polyester.
Items You’ll Need
In this section, we’ll list and discuss the items you’ll need to remove oil stains from polyester.
We’ll provide any alternatives as options for each item, when applicable.
Water
Hot water, warm water and/or cool water are used to wash away soap or moisten pastes or make various treatments.
Soft Toothbrush, Soft Brush, Or Sponge
A soft toothbrush, soft brush, or sponge is used to apply and rub in the various soaps, solutions, or pastes to the stained area.
Pro Tip: Don’t use anything that’ll snag the fabric.
White Towel Or Similar Absorbent Item
A clean white towel, or similar absorbent item, is used to lay the polyester on to prepare it for stain removal.
Liquid Dish Soap
Any mild liquid dish soap, such as Dawn, which has grease-cutting capabilities, without Bleach.
A pre-wash stain treatment or liquid laundry detergent is also used to remove oil stains from polyester.
Paper Towels Or White Cloth
Paper Towels or white cloth are used to blot up excess oil from the stain at various stain removal stages.
I’ve found these microfiber cleaning cloths work really well.
Liquid Laundry Detergent
Liquid Laundry Detergent is used in the laundering as a usual step in the stain removal process.
It’s also used as a pre-wash stain treatment and as an alternative for liquid dish soap.
Table Salt, Cornstarch, Or Baking Soda
Table salt, cornstarch, or baking soda are all absorbent substances used to soak up excess oil and draw oil out of the stain.
WD-40
WD-40 is used to draw oil out of stubborn oil stains in polyester.
If you need to order some click here.
A scrap Of cardboard
A scrap of cardboard is placed between the stained area and the other fabric layer to protect it from the oil bleeding through the polyester’s backside.
Q-Tips
Q-Tips are used to apply WD-40, and any of the other pastes, solutions, or liquids, onto the smaller stained areas so as not to create a bigger stain with the removal product.
Commercial Stain Remover Specifically Made For Polyester
Commercial stain remover specifically made for polyester, such as Puracy Natural Laundry Stain Remover, Enzyme-Based Spot Cleaner, Free & Clear, which I found on Amazon.
There are many others out there – look at your polyester’s care label before selecting the appropriate stain remover.
Step By Step Instructions For How To Remove Oil Stains From Polyester
#1 Apply Liquid Dish Soap
Lay a clean white towel out on a flat surface area and place the polyester on top with the oil stain facing up.
Place a scrap of cardboard under the stained area, protecting the other layer of clothing or work surface from potential oil bleeding through from the stain’s backside during the removal process.
Dampen the stained area with hot water and squeeze on liquid dish soap, such as Dawn, which has grease-cutting capabilities, or an alternative from the items list.
Use a soft toothbrush or your fingers to rub the dish soap into the stain and then let it sit anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes.
Rinse the stained area in warm running water and check to see if the stain is still there.
Repeat the process, as needed, until the stain has been eliminated.
#2 Launder As Usual
Launder the polyester, as usual, using your regular laundry detergent, following the instructions on your polyester’s product care label for recommended water temperature, water cycle, and dryer.
Before laundering, be sure the stain is completely gone and do not place the polyester into the dryer unless you’re sure it’s been ousted,
#3 Table Salt/Cornstarch/Baking Soda (Optional, If Necessary)
Lay down a clean white towel, or an alternative, and place your polyester on top with its oil stain facing up.
Place a scrap of cardboard under the stained area, protecting the other layer of clothing or work surface from potential oil bleeding through from the stain’s backside during the removal process.
Apply a dusting of table salt or a substitute onto the oil stain and lightly rub it into the stain using your fingers.
Allow the table salt to sit on the stain for 1 hour before gently shaking it off the polyester.
Lay the stained polyester area down onto paper towels or alternative.
Squirt laundry soap, or an alternative, on the backside of the stain and blot it with a paper towel.
Keep blotting at it with fresh paper towels until the oil stain is gone.
Allow the polyester to air dry and then rinse it with cold water and put laundry soap on the front side of the stained area.
Proceed to Step #2 and Launder As Usual.
Step #3 is an option if more aggressive measures are needed following, or in place of, steps #1.
#4 WD-40 (Optional, If Necessary)
Place a scrap of cardboard under the stained area, protecting the other layer of clothing or work surface from potential oil bleeding through from the back side of the stain during the removal process.
Apply WD-40 to the oil stains on your polyester using either the spray attachment that comes with the can of WD-40 or Q-Tips.
Pro Tip:
Apply the WD-40 carefully as once you squirt it the product will spread on the polyester, so don’t go overboard with spraying.
Try spraying or dabbing a little bit at a time so you are sure you are only covering the stained area with WD-40 and not creating new stains by going past the area onto clean polyester.
Pour a generous amount of baking soda on the stained area and work it into the stain with a soft toothbrush.
Wipe off the excess baking soda and repeat the baking soda process until you’re left with only baking soda powder, no lumps.
Wipe off the final powdery baking soda and look at how the oil transferred to the cardboard scrap – good thing it was protecting the other layer of clothing or your work surface!
Treat the stained area by pouring liquid laundry detergent directly onto the stain and use the toothbrush to work this pre-was treatment into your polyester.
Allow the detergent to sit on the stain anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight.
Proceed to Step #2 and Launder As Usual.
Step #4 is another more drastic option if much more aggressive measures are needed following, or in place of, steps #1 and 3.
#5 Commercial Stain Remover Specifically Made For Polyester (Optional, If Necessary)
If your oil stain is extremely persistent, you may need a commercial stain remover specifically made for polyester; finding one was mentioned in the items list.
Once you’ve selected the appropriate oil stain remover for your polyester, follow the instructions on the package, as well as those on your polyester’s product care label, to remove the oil stain.
Step #5 is another more drastic option if much more aggressive measures are needed following, or in place of, steps #1, 3 and 4.
If the above steps still leave you with an oil stain on your polyester, you may want to seek help from a professional dry cleaner to remove the stain.
Commonly Asked Questions
Which is better for polyester – hand washing or machine washing?
-Many types of fabrics say on their product care labels they are hand wash only, meaning they should not be placed in the washing machine or the manufacturer will not guarantee their preservation.
Most polyester products indicate machine washable using the warm water cycle and standard liquid laundry detergent on their product care labels.
However, you should always check the label on the product in question before deciding to machine wash it.
Being machine washable does mean you can also opt to hand wash the fabric – it’s your choice.
Does polyester shrink in the dryer? Can it be put in the dryer?
-Yes, polyester can be put in the dryer, as indicated on most product care labels.
However, you should always check the label on the product in question before deciding to place it in the dryer.
Because polyester is a synthetic fiber, it doesn’t shrink or wrinkle easily, which is great, but if the dryer is set on a high temperature for a long period, the polyester could become damaged.
Therefore, it is usually recommended to dry on a low temperature for a shorter period.
Conclusion
Have you enjoyed learning how to remove oil stains from polyester?
It doesn’t take a lot of effort, product, or money to do it yourself – it just takes know what to do and what to use!
All of that is better than having to stop wearing your favorite clothes or using your favorite pillows or furniture.
Good Luck!
