How to Remove Salad Dressing Stains
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The Spruce / Michela Buttignol
Salad dressings can leave behind frustrating stains on your clothes, carpet, and upholstery. The stain composition can vary from tannin-based to dye-based, depending on the salad dressing's ingredients, but all contain oil. Creamy dressings may be easier to remove than oil-heavy vinaigrettes, but with simple steps, you can likely treat stains at home using items you already have in your pantry. Never place a still-stained garment in a machine dryer, as the high heat will set the stain and make it extremely difficult to remove.
Stain type | Tannin-based, protein-based, dye-based |
Detergent type | Heavy-duty |
Water temperature | Varies depending on type of fabric |
Cycle type | Varies depending on type of fabric |
Before You Begin
As with any stain, the sooner the fresh stain can be treated, the better the chances of success for removal. Do not rub immediately. That will only push the stain deeper into the fabric fibers and make the stain harder to remove. Check the care label on the garment and test any detergent or cleaning solution in an inconspicuous area first to ensure that it does not discolor the fabric. While most cleaning methods are gentle enough for a diverse range of fabrics, knowing an item's specific care needs will help you choose the best stain removal option. Older or dried stains will be harder to remove, so know that you might need to repeat the cleaning process several times before the stain disappears.
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Cloth
- Soft-bristled brush
- Toothbrush (optional)
- Dull knife
- Spoon
- Credit card (optional)
- Basin or bowl
- Vacuum (optional)
- Paper towel
- Washer/dryer
Materials
- Heavy-duty detergent
- Oxygen-based bleach
- Household ammonia
- Cornstarch
- Baby powder (optional)
- Baking soda
- Stain remover
Instructions
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The Spruce / Ana Cadena
How to Remove Salad Dressing Stains From Clothing
The most effective way to remove salad dressing stains from clothing is to treat them immediately.
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Remove Excess
Lift away any solid matter with the edge of a dull knife, spoon, or credit card. This is essential when handling creamy or chunky dressings. Blot the stain with a white cloth or paper towel to absorb excess oil.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Sprinkle Powder
Sprinkle cornstarch, baby powder, or baking soda onto the stain to aid absorption. Let your powder of choice rest for about 15 minutes before brushing it away.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Pretreat the Stain
Pretreat the stain with a solvent-based stain remover spray or gel, like Zout, Shout, or Spray 'n Wash, before washing as usual. You may also apply a heavy-duty liquid detergent directly onto the stain. Using a detergent with adequate enzymes is essential to break down the stain. Highly recommended brands include Tide and Persil. Work in the detergent with your fingers or a toothbrush. If you only have powdered detergent, make a paste with a bit of warm water and apply it to the stain.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Let Sit
Allow the stain remover to sit on the stain for 15 to 30 minutes as the chemicals break apart the oil. Follow by washing the garment as usual in the hottest water advised by the item's care label. If the dressing stain is on synthetic fabric, stretch the pretreated stained area over a bowl and pour a steady stream of hot water directly onto the stain.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Inspect Before Drying
Inspect the stained area of the garment before machine-drying. If the stain persists, do not dry and repeat the treatment as necessary.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
How to Remove Salad Dressing Stains From Carpet and Upholstery
You can use the same cleaning techniques and products recommended for carpets to remove salad dressing stains from upholstery. Be careful not to oversaturate cushions while cleaning, as excess moisture can create mold and mildew.
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Remove Excess
Lift as much of the salad dressing solids as possible away from the fibers using a dull knife or the edge of a credit card.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Sprinkle Powder
Sprinkle the stain with cornstarch, baking soda, or talcum powder to absorb the oil. Use a soft bristle brush to work the powder into the carpet. Allow the powder to sit on the stain for at least 15 minutes—vacuum to remove excess powder.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Mix a Solution
Mix one tablespoon of dishwashing detergent with 2 cups of hot water. Add 1 tablespoon of household ammonia. Blot the stain with a sponge or soft-bristled brush dipped in the cleaning solution and use a dry paper towel to absorb excess liquid once the stain is removed.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Rinse
Rinse the stained area with a cloth dipped in tepid water to remove any soapy residue. Lingering detergent or soap can attract dirt.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
When to Call a Professional
If your stained item is labeled as dry clean only, blot excess dressing before visiting your dry cleaner as soon as possible. Point out and identify the stain to help your professional cleaner choose the proper treatment. When using a home dry cleaning kit, treat the stain with the provided stain remover before putting the garment in the kit's cleaning bag. If your stained upholstery is silk or vintage, call a professional cleaner instead of attempting to remove the stain at home.
Additional Tips for Handling Salad Dressing Stains
If the salad dressing stain is very small, you may be able to remove it by spot treating it with a dry cleaning solvent. However, stain removal pens will not be effective in removing oil. In addition to sprinkling the stain with talcum powder or cornstarch, you can use a touch of artificial sweetener on the stain to help with oil absorption. If the stain persists, you may repeat the cleaning steps as many times as you see fit.