How to remove petroleum jelly and diaper cream stains

How to remove petroleum jelly stains

1. 1

   Scrape off the excess

   Lift off as much jelly or ointment as you can with a dull knife.

   Why: Less grease to dissolve, and scraping doesn't push it deeper the way wiping does.

2. 2

   Heavy stains: solvent from the back

   Lay the stain face down on paper towels and dab dry-cleaning solvent onto the back, changing the towels often. Let it evaporate.

   Why: The hydrocarbons in petroleum jelly dissolve in solvent and move out into the towels.

3. 3

   Work in full-strength detergent

   Rub full-strength heavy-duty liquid detergent or dish soap into both sides of the stain.

   Why: Detergent wraps the remaining grease so water can carry it away.

4. 4

   Wash in the hottest safe water

   Launder in the hottest water the care label allows.

   Why: Heat softens the grease and helps detergent lift it.

5. 5

   Inspect before drying, and repeat

   Look at the spot while it's wet and again once air-dried. A darker, translucent patch means grease is left; repeat the pretreatment and wash.

   Why: Dryer heat sets any grease that remains.

Why petroleum jelly won't wash out on its own

Petroleum jelly, or petrolatum, is a semi-solid mix of long-chain hydrocarbons. It never dries and never mixes with water, so it spreads into fibers as a greasy, darkened patch. A plain wash slides right past it, and the dryer then bakes it in. That puts it firmly among the oil stains, and it's treated like any heavy grease: solvent or concentrated detergent first, then hot water.

Many healing ointments are similar. Diaper creams usually add zinc oxide, a white mineral pigment, to a petrolatum or oil base, so the stain has two parts: the grease and a white residue. Remove the grease first; the pigment usually lets go once its greasy base is gone, but it may need a second pretreatment and wash.

Petroleum jelly on every surface

The method changes with the surface: fabrics can soak, carpets and mattresses can't. Pick yours for the full steps.

By situation

Diaper cream on baby clothes

Scrape, apply cleaning fluid from the back over paper towels, then full-strength liquid detergent, and wash in the hottest safe water. If white residue remains, pretreat and rewash. Inspect before drying.

Ointment on sheets and pillowcases

Ointment and lip balm transfer to bedding night after night. Sprinkle cornstarch on a fresh spot to soak up excess, brush it off, then pretreat with full-strength detergent and wash hot if the fabric allows.

It already went through the wash or dryer

A greasy patch after washing needs solvent plus detergent pretreatment and a hot rewash. After machine drying, it may take several cycles.

Yellowing on whites

Once the grease is out, oxygen bleach can clear a yellow tinge left on white fabric.

Silk, wool and dry-clean-only items

Blot gently and take them to a dry cleaner. Dry-cleaning solvent dissolves petroleum jelly well.

What not to do

• Don't wash it without pretreating. Water alone can't dissolve petrolatum, so the stain survives and can then set in the dryer.
• Don't dry before checking. Heat sets oily stains.
• Don't pour solvent onto carpet. It can damage the adhesive that holds the carpet backing together. Apply it with a cloth.
• Don't put solvent-damp items in the washer or dryer. Dry-cleaning solvent is flammable. Let it evaporate fully first.

Other methods that work

Cornstarch or baking soda

An absorbent powder lifts surface grease before washing, especially on bedding and upholstery. See absorbent powders.

Caution: It only removes the excess. Follow with detergent.

Waterless hand cleaner

The Kentucky extension guide notes degreasing waterless hand cleaners are especially effective on greasy stains and safe for most fabrics.

Caution: Test it first and launder afterward.

Stain still there?

A dark, see-through patch remains after washing

That's grease. Don't dry it. Apply solvent from the back, then full-strength detergent, and rewash hot.

A white, chalky mark remains from diaper cream

That's zinc oxide pigment. Pretreat with liquid detergent and wash again.

Safety

• Dry-cleaning solvent is flammable and toxic. Ventilate, and never put solvent-damp items in the washer or dryer.

Never mix cleaning products; see chemicals you must never combine.

Questions

Other oil and grease stains

• Grease and oil stains
• Sunscreen stains