Everyone loves a good massage, but nobody likes the stains left behind from massage oil. Indeed, body oil stains are some of the most difficult to remove from bedsheets. If you notice any of these stains on your precious sheets, you’ve got to check out the research we’ve done on this topic.
There are many methods for getting rid of oil stains on sheets, but here are some of the most common:
- Let your sheet sit overnight in hot water with a mix of laundry detergent, dishwashing soap, and washing soda.
- Place baking soda on the stain, let it dry for 30 minutes and remove before placing it in the washing machine.
- Apply a few drops of dishwashing detergent to the stain, massage with your fingers, and let sit for a few minutes before washing with hot water.
In this post, we’re going to share how you can pre-treat your stained sheets like a pro. We’ll also discuss a few ways you could prevent your bedsheets from developing these difficult-to-remove stains.
Getting Rid Of Oil Stains: Essential Pre-Treatment Tips
Let’s first go over a few of the most common ways to get rid of oil stains. In this section, we’ll also share valuable info on the best laundry detergents in the business.
How Do You Remove Body Oil Or Lotion From Sheets?
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One of the easiest methods you could use to remove body oil from sheets is as follows:
- Put your sheet in the washing machine with liquid detergent and run on the highest recommended heat setting.
- Once the cycle is complete, place the sheet in a bucket or tub with hot water.
- Add a standard dose of liquid laundry detergent, one tablespoon of dishwashing detergent, and about ¼ cup of washing soda.
- Give your sheet a quick mix with your hands and let it sit overnight.
- The next day, place your sheet in the washing machine for another cycle.
- In addition to using liquid laundry detergent, add ½ cup of white vinegar.
- After the wash is finished, place the sheet in direct sunlight to dry.
If you don’t like the above method, then try applying a tablespoon or two of baking soda to the stain. After about 30 minutes, you should notice the baking soda clumping up. You could repeat this method a few more times to help thoroughly sop up the body oil.
Once you’re finished using the baking soda, you could apply a few drops of dishwashing soap to the stain and massage it in with your fingers. Let this sit for a few minutes and then wash it all off with hot water. Lastly, put your sheet in the washing machine on the highest heat setting with your preferred liquid detergent.
How To Remove Olive Oil From Sheets?
EVOO is excellent on salads, not on sheets. If you mistakenly spill a bit of this heart-healthy oil on your bed, please don’t have a heart attack! Instead, try this simple Clorox-approved method:
- Place one or two drops of liquid dishwashing detergent on the olive oil stains.
- Rub the detergent into the sheet and let it sit for about five minutes.
- Wash your sheet with warm water.
- Put your sheet in the washing machine with your preferred liquid detergent.
- If your sheet is white, add bleach.
- When the wash cycle is complete, air dry your sheet and check for stains.
If you’re looking for a highly rated dishwashing detergent, you could pick up Dawn bottles online:
Click this Amazon link to find out more info.
How Do You Get Coconut Oil Out Of Sheets?
In recent years, the beauty industry has gone “coco” for coconut oil. Nowadays, you can’t walk down the skincare or shampoo aisles without seeing dozens of products that include this skin-safe oil.
If you like using coconut oil, please keep in mind it usually takes a few hours for your skin to fully absorb this oil. If possible, apply your coconut oil at least two hours before going to bed to minimize the risk of stains.
Whenever you notice a coconut oil stain, it’s a good idea to place a generous amount of baking soda and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Only repeat this step if you notice the baking soda forming clumps. After you clear away all of the baking soda, wipe the stain with a clean toothbrush for a few minutes and then soak the sheet with hot water.
After you’re done pre-treating your stain, place it in the washing machine with liquid detergent on a high heat setting. You could also add about ½ cup of white vinegar as a natural fabric softener.
How Do You Get Baby Oil Out Of Bedsheets?
Like olive coconut oil, baby oil is behind many bedsheet stains. If you happen to have baby oil stains, we recommend dabbing the stain with a few drops of dishwashing detergent and letting it sit for 5 – 10 minutes. Afterward, follow the instructions listed in the olive oil section above.
While we’re on the subject of baby oil, it’s worth noting that dozens of laundry detergent manufacturers now make products with child safety in mind. Not only are these detergents gentler on skin, they often have safety coatings to prevent accidental ingestion.
One of the best-reviewed detergents for babies’ clothes is the Grab Green Natural Baby Detergent Pods:
Find out more on this Amazon link.
What’s The Best Laundry Detergents For Body Oil?
Since we mention liquid detergent so frequently, you’re probably wondering what brands are the best for oil stains. While everyone has their loyalties, Consumer Reports recently tested the major liquid laundry detergents to help you make a more “scientific” shopping decision.
Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release was one of the best-performing detergents in Consumer Reports’ study. Reviewers said this high-quality brand was particularly useful for pre-treating stains.
Click this Amazon link for more details.
The Persil ProClean Stain Fighter was another top-performing laundry detergent for stubborn stains. In addition to body oil, Consumer Reports found this Persil brand is excellent on mud, grass, and even chocolate.
Find out more on this Amazon link.
Can You Prevent Oil Stains On Bedsheets?
If possible, it’s always better to prevent oil stains from forming rather than clean them up afterward. Below, we’ll share a few of the best maintenance tips to prevent oil stains from appearing on your bedsheets.
How Often Should You Wash Sheets?
The easiest way to prevent your sheets from accumulating body oil stains is to wash them regularly. So, what’s considered “regular?”
According to the Good Housekeeping Institute, it’s best to wash your sheets biweekly. If you’re sweating excessively due to high summer temps, however, you might want to wash your sheets once per week.
Are There Stain-Proof Sheets?
Another way to prevent body oil stains is to invest in sheets with a high thread count. Generally, the more threads a sheet has, the more difficult it is for oil molecules to penetrate and leave a nasty mark.
Cotton and linen may be popular bedding options, but they tend to have relatively low thread counts. By contrast, microfiber sheets are extremely stain resistant, although they aren’t the most breathable.
Check out this popular microfiber sheet now available online:
Click this Amazon link for more details.
By the way, Home Décor Bliss recently published this fantastic post examining the pros & cons of linen sheets.
If you want to learn more about washing white sheets, we strongly suggest reading this previous post.
Don’t “Sweat” Those Pesky Sheet Stains
As long as you frequently clean your sheets and stay on top of stains, you shouldn’t have too much of an issue with body oil. Whenever you notice staining, be sure to use the pre-treatment methods listed above to help wipe away those unsightly spots.