Ways to Eliminate Lotion Stains from Fabrics and Carpets

Project Summary

• Duration of Work: 5 minutes
• Overall Duration: 1 hour and 25 minutes

• Proficiency Level: Novice
• Projected Expense: $10

Moisturizing beauty products like lotions and creams can give your skin a luxurious feel, but they often leave your clothing or carpets looking dirty. Because many moisturizers have oily ingredients, their persistent stains can be tricky to tackle, depending on the type of fabric. Typically, you can eliminate most lotion and cream stains using regular stain removers, laundry detergent, and a bit of perseverance.

Discover effective methods to eliminate stubborn lotion marks from your clothes and carpets by following these straightforward guidelines.

Ways to Eliminate Lotion or Cream Stains from Fabric

Apply a stain remover beforehand.

Target the greasy or waxy part of the stain using an enzyme-driven stain remover. Gently massage the cleaner into the stain using your fingers or a soft brush. In the absence of a stain remover, a strong liquid detergent, such as Tide or Persil, which includes stain-fighting enzymes, or a paste created from powdered detergent and water can be effective. Allow the cleaning solution to penetrate the fabric for a minimum of 15 minutes.

Clean and Wash

Gently brush the stain using a soft-bristled brush, starting from the outer edges and moving inward to avoid spreading the stain further. Afterward, rinse the area well with hot water.

Clean with Hot Water

Clean the clothing item as you normally would, utilizing the hottest water suggested on the care label. While hot water is the most effective, cooler water can also be effective. However, be cautious not to wash the item in water that is too hot, as this could lead to damage or shrinkage. Before putting the garment in the dryer, inspect the stained area to ensure the stain has been fully removed.

Address Persistent Stains

• Combine a solution of oxygen bleach, such as OxiClean, Clorox 2, Country Save Bleach, or Purex 2 Color Safe Bleach, with cool water to address stains that persist after a hot water wash. Be sure to adhere to the instructions on the packaging regarding the appropriate amount of product to use per gallon of water.
• Fully immerse the clothing item and let it soak for a minimum of eight hours.
• Examine the stain. If it has disappeared, proceed with your regular washing routine. If it persists, prepare a new solution and try again. It might require multiple soakings to fully eliminate the stain, but it should eventually come out.

Tip

Detecting a subtle stain can be challenging when the fabric is damp from the washing machine. Since using a dryer can permanently fix a stain, it’s advisable to let the item air dry until you’re certain the stain has been removed. Once there are no visible signs of discoloration, you can proceed to wash and dry the fabric as you normally would.

Ways to Eliminate Lotion Stains from Carpets and Upholstery

Sponge attached to a cleaning tool.

• Soak a fresh white cloth or paper towel in the solution and gently squeeze out the excess.
• Begin at the outer edge of the stain and move inward to avoid spreading it. Use a sponge to apply the cleaning solution to the stain.
• Keep dabbing until the cleaning cloth no longer picks up any color from the carpet.

Apply the same method for upholstery, but be cautious not to excessively soak the cushions.

Eliminate the Cleaning Agent

Soak a second clean white cloth in plain water and gently dab the stained area to eliminate any remnants of the cleaning solution. Skipping this step may cause the detergent to attract more dirt in the future, resulting in a more noticeable stain.

Soak up, air dry, and suction.

Dab the area with a fresh, dry cloth and let the carpet dry naturally overnight. Once it is fully dry, vacuum to fluff and separate the fibers.

Extra Advice for Dealing with Lotion Stains

Don’t lose hope with a persistent stain right away. More applications of stain remover or even dish soap, along with some soaking, can effectively break down and remove oils or pigments. The only thing that can permanently fix the stain is using heat to dry it, so steer clear of the dryer until the stain is completely eliminated.