My mom taught me this trick to get oil stains out of clothes with 0 effort. Here’s how it works

Old, set-in stains require a bit more effort but can still be tackled with patience. First, heat can help re-liquefy the oil, making it easier to remove. Lay the garment on a flat surface and use a hairdryer to gently warm the stain. Be careful not to overheat, as this can damage the fabric.

Once warmed, apply a generous amount of cornstarch and let it sit overnight. In the morning, brush off the cornstarch and check the stain. If any residue remains, repeat the process or use a small amount of liquid dish soap directly on the stain, then launder as usual.

Cornstarch is a polysaccharide composed of carbohydrate polymers. These polymers have a unique ability to absorb oils and fats. When applied to an oil stain, the cornstarch particles penetrate the fabric and latch onto the oil molecules. Over time, the cornstarch draws these molecules out, effectively lifting the stain from the fabric fibers.

This absorption process is what makes cornstarch so effective, as it essentially acts like a sponge, soaking up the oil without the need for water or harsh chemicals.

One common mistake is rubbing the stain, which can spread the oil further into the fabric fibers. Instead of blotting, people often instinctively scrub, thinking it will help remove the stain, but it often does the opposite.

Another mistake is applying heat too soon. Heat can set the stain deeper into the fabric, making it more challenging to remove. Always treat the stain first before washing or drying the garment.

This cornstarch trick works best on natural fibers like cotton, linen, and wool. These materials have a looser weave, allowing the cornstarch to penetrate the fibers more effectively.

Recent Articles

The ring you choose reflects your personality.

Pecan Cream Pie

Cases are on the rise

My 9-year-old daughter baked 300 Easter cookies for the homeless — the next morning, a stranger showed up at our door with a briefcase full of cash. My daughter, Ashley, has always had a heart too big for her chest. Since my wife died, we’ve barely been making ends meet. We spent everything we had trying to save her from cancer. But when Easter came this year, Ashley told me she’d been saving up her own money to buy ingredients. “For the homeless,” she said. Her mom used to be one of them. She was thrown out by her parents when they found out she was pregnant with Ashley. When I met her, she had nothing — but she had the brightest smile and the sharpest mind I had ever seen. I fell in love with her. I took her and Ashley in. And from that moment on, Ashley became my daughter in every way that matters. So when Ashley said she wanted to help people like her mom once was… I didn’t stop her. For three nights straight, after school and homework, she baked. Her little hands worked nonstop. She found her mom’s old cookie recipe. She rolled every piece of dough herself. She decorated every cookie. She made three hundred cookies. On Easter, she handed them out one by one. She looked people in the eyes. She wished them a Happy Easter. Some of them smiled. Some of them cried. I stood there thinking it was the proudest moment of my life. I thought that was the end of it. The next morning, I was washing a mountain of dishes when the doorbell rang. I opened the door. An older man stood there in a worn-out suit, holding a scratched aluminum briefcase. His eyes were locked on Ashley. Before I could ask anything, he set the case down and opened it. I froze. Stacks of hundred-dollar bills — more money than I had ever seen in my life. “I saw what your daughter did yesterday,” he said, his voice shaking. “I want to give all of this to her.” My heart skipped. Then he added: “But you have to agree to ONE CONDITION.” My chest tightened. “What condition?” I asked. He stepped closer. He lowered his voice. And what he asked for in return made my blood run cold.