5 Ways to Remove Vaseline & Petroleum Jelly From Clothes

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Tackle greasy Vaseline stains with common household cleaners
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Vaseline and petroleum jelly have many useful applications for skin care and beauty, which means they can come in close contact with your clothes and leave behind an oily stain. Luckily, there are easy ways to get Vaseline out of your clothes with household products like dish soap, rubbing alcohol, vinegar, and baking soda. In this article, we spoke with several cleaning experts to learn the best ways to remove petroleum jelly stains. Read on to get your clothes spotless again!

Getting Vaseline Stains Out of Clothes: Quick Guide

Use a knife or spoon to scrape off excess Vaseline. Rub the spot with dish soap or soak the stain with rubbing alcohol or vinegar. Treat the spot with a stain remover and wash it in your laundry machine with hot water. Check if the Vaseline is gone before drying the garment, as heat from the dryer can set the stain.

Section 1 of 7:

Removing Vaseline with Dish Soap

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  1. It’s important to remove as much Vaseline as possible from the get-go to prevent excess oil from setting into the fabric. [1] Simply use a butter knife, spoon, or something similar to scrape it away.
    • Go slowly, being careful not to spread the Vaseline any further.
    • Do not try to rub away the Vaseline, as rubbing can spread it deeper into your garment and make it harder to get out.
  2. House cleaning professional Raymond Chiu says to pour a small amount of dish soap (like Dawn) onto the stain and rub it into the fabric with your fingers. Just put both hands on the inside and outside of the fabric and rub them together to make sure the soap goes through the fabric and reaches the entire surface of the stain. [2]
    • Alternatively, professional dry cleaner Safir Ali recommends that you “add a couple drops of [dish soap] into warm water” and “let it soak into the stain” for 5 minutes to remove oil and grease. Then, “rub the stain against itself gently” to get out the residue.
    • Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to really get the soap into the fibers. Just avoid using a brush on thin fabrics (like pima cotton), as it can tear or stretch the fibers.
    • Dish soap is great at removing fresh and set-in Vaseline stains because it is a degreaser that breaks down oily and greasy residue, like petroleum jelly.
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  3. Run warm or hot water over the stained area to get all the soap (and hopefully the oil from the Vaseline) out. Then, check to see if the stain is lifted a little and if the fabric feels less oily. [3]
    • Note : You may need to rub your garment with dish soap a few more times to lift the stain if a lot of Vaseline got into the fabric or if the Vaseline has been there for a while. [4]
  4. Apply a stain remover to the fabric and let it sit for 10 minutes. Pretreating the fabric with a stain remover helps remove any stubborn oil stains that may have set in. Just make sure to follow the particular stain remover’s instructions to prevent any discoloration (especially if the formula contains bleach). [5]
    • If you don’t have any stain remover, soak the spot with liquid laundry detergent or rub a wet bar of regular soap into the stain. [6]
  5. Check your garment’s care tag to see what water temperature is recommended for washing. Then, throw your item in the laundry machine with a bit of detergent and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of white vinegar to wash away any leftover Vaseline. [7]
    • Feel free to wash the garment by hand in the sink, if you prefer.
    • Hot water lifts stains and oil from clothing fibers better than colder water.
    • Note : Always check the care label to see what water temperature is safe for the fabric. If hot water isn’t recommended, use warm water—it doesn’t cause shrinkage like hot water can.
    Cheryl Mendelson, Homekeeping Expert

    Getting Vaseline out of clothes takes care to dissolve the grease without damaging the fabric. First, gently scrape off excess Vaseline. Pre-treat the stain with dish soap — its degreasing power targets petroleum products. Gently work the soap in with your fingers or a soft brush. Let it sit, then wash it in the warmest safe temperature, checking before drying. If stains remain, repeat or use a grease-fighting stain remover. Removing stubborn stains takes patience and persistence.

  6. Drying your garment with heat can cause any leftover Vaseline to set into the fibers, making it very difficult to get out. So, take your garment out of the laundry machine and inspect the stained spot before drying it. [8]
    • If the Vaseline is all gone , place the garment in your dryer or hang it up to air dry.
    • If the Vaseline stain is still there , rub the spot with more dish soap. Then, rinse out the soap, apply more stain remover, and wash the item again.
    • If the stain still isn’t coming out, try one of the other stain removal methods below!
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Section 2 of 7:

Applying Rubbing Alcohol

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  1. Use a dull knife, spoon, or credit card to scrape away any excess petroleum jelly. Then, wet a clean dry cloth or cotton pad with alcohol and press it into the stain. Just keep lightly dabbing the spot with the alcohol to ensure the stain is soaked through. [9]
    • Rubbing alcohol and isopropyl alcohol are degreasing agents that dissolve oily residues like petroleum jelly.
    • Chiu says to spot-test the rubbing or isopropyl alcohol on an inconspicuous part of the garment to check if it discolors or damages the fabric. If it does, do not use this stain removal method on your garment.
    • Avoid using rubbing and isopropyl alcohol on synthetic fabrics, like acetate, triacetate, modacrylic, and acrylic, or delicate fabrics, like silk, as it can damage and dissolve the fibers. [10]
  2. Allow the alcohol to soak into the stain and dry—this may take 10 to 40 minutes, depending on the thickness of the material and size of the stain. Then, hold the stained spot under cool water to rinse out the alcohol. [11]
    • If the stain is still there after rinsing your garment, dab it with more rubbing or isopropyl alcohol.
  3. Dishwashing soap is another degreasing agent that helps to lift any leftover oil from the fabric. Simply pour a few drops of soap onto the stain and use your fingers to rub it all the way through the fabric. [12]
    • Use a gentle touch when rubbing in the soap, especially if you’re treating thinner fabrics!
  4. Hold the Vaseline stain under running water to rinse out the soap and the oily residue it lifted off the fabric. Just make sure you use hot or warm water, as it is better at removing oil-based stains than cold water. [13]
    • If the stain still isn’t gone, rub it with more dish soap and then rinse the garment again. Keep repeating this until there’s no more sign of the stain.
  5. Place your garment in the washing machine and select the hottest water that’s safe for the fabric according to the garment’s care tag. Then, add a bit of laundry detergent and start the cycle. [14]
    • If hot water isn’t safe for your garment, use warm water. Warmer water is better for lifting oily stains than cool water.
    • Alternatively, wash your garment by hand.
    • For an extra stain-lifting boost , rub a stain remover into the Vaseline spot. Just let it sit for 10 minutes before putting your garment in the laundry machine.
    • Inspect the Vaseline stain before putting your garment in the dryer. If you still see Vaseline on your garment, dab it with more alcohol and rub it with more dish soap. Then, wash the item again. [15]
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Section 3 of 7:

Soaking in Vinegar

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  1. Remove any excess petroleum jelly with a butter knife or spoon. Then, laundry and cleaning specialist Rani Gorgis says to mix 1 part vinegar with 2 parts water in a spray bottle and “spray it directly on the stain.” Just leave the vinegar to soak into the Vaseline for 5 to 10 minutes.
    • Vinegar is a natural astringent that packs a powerful punch against oil and grease stains.
    • If you’re treating a colored garment , soak it in equal parts vinegar and water to protect the fabric from fading or discoloration.
    • Note : Spot test the vinegar on a hidden part of your garment to ensure it doesn’t stain or damage the fabric.
    • Don’t worry—your garment won’t smell like vinegar once you wash and dry it.
  2. Wet a soft toothbrush with water and pour a few drops of dish soap onto the Vaseline stain. Then, gently scrub the brush into the spot using circular motions. The combination of the vinegar and soap helps lift the petroleum jelly from the fabric’s fibers. [16]
    • If the stain isn’t going away, apply some more vinegar and scrub it in again.
  3. Check the care tag on your garment to see what water temperature is recommended for washing. Then, Gorgis says to simply “drop the item in the wash with warm water and regular laundry detergent.”
    • Ensure the stain is gone before drying the garment. The dry heat from your dryer can cause any leftover Vaseline to adhere to the fabric, making the stain harder to get out. [17]
    • If your clothes are still stained, soak the spot with more vinegar. Then, scrub it with more dish soap and wash the item again.
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Section 4 of 7:

Applying Cornstarch or Baking Soda

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  1. Gorgis says powders with absorbent properties like cornstarch, baking soda, talcum powder , and baby powder lift up oily residue from fabrics. Simply scrape off any excess Vaseline with a spoon. Then, pour a bit of either powder on the stain and gently rub it in with your finger. Just let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes.
    • Cornstarch and baking soda (as well as the other powders) are great at removing both fresh and set-in Vaseline stains.
  2. As the powder absorbs the Vaseline, it starts to change in texture. Once it appears gummy, brush off the powder with your hand or a soft brush. [18]
  3. Pour more cornstarch, baking soda, talcum powder, or baby powder on top of the petroleum jelly stain and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then, brush it off. Just keep repeating this process until you no longer see the stain on your garment. [19]
  4. Look at the care tag on your garment to see what water temperature it is safe to wash it in. Then, put your clothes in your laundry machine, add some laundry detergent, and wash your garment.
    • For an extra stain-lifting boost , treat the Vaseline spot with a stain remover . Simply rub the remover into the fabric and let it sit for 10 minutes before you wash your garment.
    • If the Vaseline stain is gone from your clothes, put the garment in your dryer or hang it up to dry.
    • If the stain isn’t gone, treat the spot with more powder and wash it again instead of drying it—the heat from your dryer can set the stain and make it harder to get out. [20]
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Section 5 of 7:

Ironing out the Vaseline

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  1. Remove excess Vaseline with a butter knife or spoon. Then, tear off several sheets of paper towel and set them on top of the stain. Tear off a few more sheets of paper towel and place them on the other side of the fabric so they’re under the stain. [21]
  2. Set your iron to the lowest heat setting and allow it to warm up. Then, glide the iron over the paper towels that are on top of the Vaseline stain. The heat melts the petroleum jelly and the paper towels underneath the stain absorb the oily residue. [22]
    • Keep ironing until all of the Vaseline transfers to the paper towels. You might need to rotate the towels to a clean spot or add fresh towels, depending on the size of the stain.
  3. Read the care tag on your clothes to determine what water temperature is safe to use. Then, throw your item in your washing machine, pour in laundry detergent, and start a normal cycle. [23]
    • For an extra stain-lifting boost , rub a stain remover into the Vaseline stain. Just let it sit for 10 minutes before you wash your garment.
    • Don’t dry the item in your dryer until the stain is completely gone, as the dry heat can set the stain. [24]
    • If the stain isn’t gone, iron over it again to melt any remaining Vaseline. Or, treat the spot with one of the other methods above. Then, wash your item again.
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Section 6 of 7:

Removing Colored Vaseline

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  1. Soak the garment in oxygen bleach for 1 hour before washing it. If the Vaseline or petroleum jelly is colored, it might leave behind a dye stain on your clothes. To remove the dye, soak your clothes in an oxygen bleach mixture after removing the excess Vaseline but before you launder the item. [25]
    • Mix 2 tablespoons of bleach with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water.
    • Submerge the garment in the mixture.
    • Let the garment soak for 1 hour for fresh stains, or overnight for tough, set-in stains.
    • Wash the garment in your laundry machine.
    • Note : Spot test the oxygen bleach mixture on an inconspicuous spot of your garment. While oxygen bleach is generally safe to use on colored fabrics, it may discolor some items.
Section 7 of 7:

When to See a Dry Cleaner

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  1. If none of the above DIY methods get the Vaseline out of your clothes, bring your garment to a professional dry cleaner. If the care tag on your garment says “Dry clean only,” bring it to a professional at the get-go to remove the stain.
    • For instance, bring delicate fabrics like leather, silk, satin, velvet, and suede to a professional dry cleaner to remove the stain. These fabrics can be more susceptible to damage from DIY stain removal methods.
    • Dry cleaners use special cleaning products that can get rid of stubborn stains.
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      Warnings

      • Always spot-test stain removers and cleaners on a hidden spot on your garment to ensure it doesn’t damage or stain the fabric before you apply it on the stain.
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      • Always check the care label on your garment before washing and treating your clothes.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://site.extension.uga.edu/textiles/care/stain-removal/remove-stains-from-grease-automotive-cooling-vaseline/
      2. ↑ http://wardrobeadvice.com/how-do-you-get-vaseline-petroleum-jelly-out-of-a-t-shirt/
      3. ↑ https://inthewash.co.uk/laundry-and-ironing/get-vaseline-out-of-clothes/
      4. ↑ https://site.extension.uga.edu/textiles/care/stain-removal/remove-stains-from-grease-automotive-cooling-vaseline/
      5. ↑ https://inthewash.co.uk/laundry-and-ironing/get-vaseline-out-of-clothes/
      6. ↑ https://site.extension.uga.edu/textiles/care/stain-removal/remove-stains-from-grease-automotive-cooling-vaseline/
      7. ↑ https://site.extension.uga.edu/textiles/care/stain-removal/remove-stains-from-grease-automotive-cooling-vaseline/
      8. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-get-grease-out-of-clothes/
      9. ↑ https://www.glam.com/1065142/get-vaseline-stains-out-of-clothing/
      1. ↑ https://site.extension.uga.edu/textiles/care/products/
      2. ↑ https://www.glam.com/1065142/get-vaseline-stains-out-of-clothing/
      3. ↑ https://www.stain-removal-101.com/vaseline-stain-removal.html
      4. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry/hot-water-or-cold-water-for-stains-which-is-best.html
      5. ↑ https://www.stain-removal-101.com/vaseline-stain-removal.html
      6. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-get-grease-out-of-clothes/
      7. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-get-grease-out-of-clothes/
      8. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-get-grease-out-of-clothes/
      9. ↑ https://site.extension.uga.edu/textiles/care/products/
      10. ↑ https://site.extension.uga.edu/textiles/care/products/
      11. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-get-grease-out-of-clothes/
      12. ↑ https://www.hunker.com/13424218/how-to-get-vaseline-stains-out-of-clothes/
      13. ↑ https://site.extension.uga.edu/textiles/care/stain-removal/remove-stains-from-grease-automotive-cooling-vaseline/
      14. ↑ https://www.hunker.com/13424218/how-to-get-vaseline-stains-out-of-clothes/
      15. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-get-grease-out-of-clothes/
      16. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/ph/in-the-home/oxygen-bleach-powder-how-to-use-it-in-your-washing-machine.html

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