Greasy foods, as well as other types of oil, can discolor your drapes. The oil adheres to the curtain fibres, and simply washing them in the laundry will not erase the stains. Oil stains can and will ruin the appearance of your curtains. However, before you throw the soiled curtains away, try a few home methods to remove the oil stain and restore the look of your curtains. Grease stains can be removed by dissolving or absorbing them. However, if the stain is old or deep, you may not be able to remove it completely.
Methods to remove oil stains
Assess the nature of the fabric
Before attempting stain cleaning, determine the type and condition of your curtains. Unless coated with a repellent finish, acrylic and polyester fabrics absorb oil stains; wool and silk fabrics weaken in water, causing tearing or straining. When removing stains from certain textiles, use caution to avoid causing harm. Since vintage and antique curtains get weakened through time, they are more vulnerable to cleaning.
Removing oily food stains
Gravy, salad dressing, and cooking oil are examples of meals that can discolor drapes. Rub a little liquid dishwashing soap on the stain using a sponge dampened with hot water. Launder the curtains in hot water if feasible, using a mineral-based washing detergent. Alternatively, make a paste with washing soda (sodium carbonate) and enough warm water. Apply the paste to the stain and then rinse the fabric with warm water. If the oil stain has oxidized and turned yellow, this method will not work.
Removing old stains
Dust the oil spots with baking soda or cornstarch. Place a dry cloth on the ironing board and place the discolored portion of the drape on it. The affected area of the stains should be ironed. If there is no odours from the stain, simply clean it with washing detergent. If you notice an oily odours, add 1 cup of white vinegar and detergent to the machine when washing the draperies. If the stains are too stubborn, then it is a good idea to hire a good house cleaning service to clean them for you.
Using cornstarch or baking soda
Place the curtains on a flat surface and using a plastic spoon, scrape out the excess oil and discard the debris. Over the oil stain, sprinkle an absorbent material like baking soda, baby powder, or cornstarch. Allow the absorbent material to sit on the curtain for 15 minutes. Brush away the residue and treat the stain with a good dry cleaning solvent.
Rubbing alcohol
Another good solvent for grease stains is rubbing alcohol. Pour a little rubbing alcohol onto a clean cloth and gently blot the stain until the area is damp. Wait for a few minutes for the alcohol to start acting on the stain and then rub a little bar soap into the area. Scrub the soap into the stain and then rinse thoroughly. Let the curtain dry and check to make sure the stain is gone. If it remains, repeat the process. Rubbing alcohol might cause damage to certain fabrics to spot test on a hidden corner before treating the stains.
