The Cleaning Staple That Will Get Rid Of Stubborn Oil Stains On Laundry Day

Stains happen, especially greasy and oily ones. Perhaps you dropped what you were eating on your shirt or accidentally splashed some ingredients on yourself while cooking. Whatever the cause, there are several strategies when it comes to stain removal. For example, salt is a cooking ingredient that can remove oil stains among other substances. Instead of rubbing at your top harshly with a cloth, which might actually set the mark even more, the following method using Borax will get your clothes looking fresh and clean once again.

If you're not familiar with tips for using Borax at home, like its proficiency for cleaning windows, you should check Borax out. Borax is also known as sodium tetraborate. Its intended use is as a cleaning product but it's also a great addition to your laundry room as a stain remover. Borax can technically be considered a natural substance because it's a naturally occurring mineral. Thus, this hack is also ideal if you're trying to move away from chemical-containing detergents and look for natural stain-removal methods instead. Don't just go sprinkling a handful into your next laundry load, though. There's a way borax should be used if you want to wave goodbye to the oil stains on your shirt for good.

To begin, fill a large tub with approximately a gallon of water. The tub needs to be big enough to comfortably fit your stained clothes. In this case, warm water will work best, so try and get the water to a pleasantly warm temperature that isn't too hot nor too cold. Next, take the Borax and add a quarter cup measurement to the tub. Mix into the water until it has thoroughly dissolved. Now it's time to add your clothes. Put them in the bucket gently and stir them around once so they absorb the solution. 

Wait for around half an hour before removing the clothes. Squeeze out the excess water and then put them on a normal wash cycle. The stain should be gone. If not, you can also try applying Borax directly to the stains. To do this, make a paste of two tablespoons of water to one tablespoon of Borax. Apply the mix to the stain and leave for half an hour before putting the item/s in the wash as usual.

If you're worried about whether Borax is safe to use in your laundry, you don't need to be. Speaking to Real Simple, sustainability blogger Julia confirmed that it is okay to add in so long as it stays confined to the washer. Nevertheless, always take care not to inhale any and to wash your hands before and after using it to get rid of any residue. Although it's a naturally occurring substance, consuming and inhaling borax is still dangerous and can lead to side effects like rashes and stomach upset. 

As long as you are careful when using it, you don't need to worry about these effects. You should, however, always keep Borax in a place that cannot be reached by pets or children. Additionally, always check the label of an item you're using Borax on. Some delicate fabrics may not be able to withstand anything other than gentle soap and water. If you can, do a small spot test of the Borax and water paste before soaking an item to make sure your clothes won't get accidentally ruined.