A successful cooking session often relies on oil. Vegetable oil is used frequently in cooking. Vegetable oil prevents food from sticking to the pan and adds a unique flavor and texture to food. Vegetable oil can easily splash when stir-frying. It can burn your skin and is tough to clean if it gets on your clothes. But there is no need to be too distressed, as there are always ways to remove the oil. Today’s method uses some common household items to ensure you can easily remove it.
1. Why Vegetable Oil Is Difficult to Wash Away
The oil used in cooking is divided into vegetable oil and animal oil based on different sources. Vegetable oils come from plant seeds, fruits, and other plant parts. Animal oils are made from animal fats or meats. Usually, animal oils have lower melting points than vegetable oils. When grease spills on clothes, it quickly sinks into the fibers and binds with them, forming a tough stain. Since grease doesn’t dissolve in water, washing with just water won’t remove it. Vegetable oils are tricky. They seep into fabrics with tight fibers or high absorbency. This makes the stain harder to remove. As time goes on, the oil stains will solidify even more and become harder to clean. Vegetable oils are harder to remove than animal oils. Animal oils have a low melting point and dissolve easily in hot water. This makes them easier to wash away with hot water.
2. Methods of Cleaning Vegetable Oil
Dishwashing Liquid Method
Dishwashing liquid is great for washing grease in the kitchen. It can be seen as the natural enemy of grease. Its main ingredient is surfactant, which has both hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups. Hydrophilic groups bond with water molecules, while hydrophobic groups bond with grease. These groups help separate water from oil, pulling grease out of the fabric fibers. When detergent mixes with water, the hydrophilic groups bind to the water. The hydrophobic groups stick to the grease. This process, called “emulsification,” breaks the grease into tiny droplets. These droplets stay suspended in the water instead of sticking to the fabric. By rinsing, the water and detergent remove the grease.
Drop the detergent directly onto the grease stain. Rub gently with your fingers or a soft brush to help the detergent soak in. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then rinse with warm water. If the stain isn’t completely gone, repeat the steps.
White Vinegar Mixed Water Method
The acidic component of white vinegar has a dissolving effect on certain oils and fats. Mix white vinegar and water in a ratio of 1:2, then pour the mixture into a clean container or directly onto the stain. Dip a clean cloth or cotton ball into the vinegar-water solution. Gently press it onto the spot where the vegetable oil splashed on your clothes. Let it sit for a few minutes to help the acetic acid penetrate and break down the vegetable fats and oils. Next, gently scrub the oiled area with a soft-bristled brush or cloth to help loosen the stain and lift it off. If the oil stain is stubborn, reapply the vinegar-water solution and scrub again. Once the stain is visibly lighter, rinse with water to remove the solution and any residue. Next, wash the clothes in the machine. This will remove any leftover substances and bring back their cleanliness and brightness.
Baking Soda Method
This method works for stubborn vegetable oil stains or stains that have been there for a while. Baking soda removes stains through its adsorption, alkalinity, and mild abrasive action. Baking soda’s adsorptive properties help capture grease, pigments, and other stain substances. It absorbs grease and pigment molecules from vegetable oils. This makes cleaning the fabric much easier. At the same time, the particles of baking soda can physically remove stains. Gently rub the surface of the stain. The baking soda particles help lift the stains from the fibers, making it easier to wash them away.
We can sprinkle some baking soda on the stain, gently rub or knead it, wait for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse with water.
Vegetable oil is often used in cooking. However, it’s tough to remove from clothes because it can penetrate fabric fibers. The oil binds with fibers and forms stubborn stains, which are not easily washed away with water. Unlike animal oils, vegetable oils tend to harden over time. This makes them harder to clean. To remove vegetable oil stains, try methods using common household items. Dishwashing liquid breaks the oil into tiny droplets, making it easy to rinse away. White vinegar and water dissolve the oil. Baking soda absorbs and removes the grease. These methods help clean vegetable oil stains and restore your clothes.