There’s nothing worse than pulling your favorite shirt from the dryer to discover a stain that somehow got through the wash. However, there may be a great home remedy that you can use to get rid of stains.
All you need is a few drops of lemon essential oil applied directly to the stain. After you place the oil on the stain, rub it in gently and then wash immediately. Previously ruined garments will become like new, and you can enjoy all your favorite clothing again.
This method works especially well for oily, organic, and deeply set stains and is easy enough to try before moving clothes to the “maybe someday” pile. Keep reading to learn more.
How to Use Lemon Essential Oil
Below are some steps on how to use lemon essential oil for stains:
- Apply a few drops of 100% lemon essential oil to the dry stain. Gently work the oil in with your fingers or a soft cloth.
- Wash the item right away with your usual detergent.
- Inspect the stain before drying it. If there is still a stain, repeat and rewash.
- Note: It’s important not to leave lemon essential oil on fabric for too long since it’s concentrated and can cause yellowing.
Evidence and Expert Claims
There are many reasons why lemon oil can work. The high citric-acid content and degreasing power are effective at cutting through grease and tough stains. It can also help with disinfecting surfaces with its antibacterial benefits.
Other guides note lemon oil’s ability to dissolve adhesive residue, scuff marks, and some ink or food stains. It’s important to do a patch test on finishes first before cleaning the whole area.
Real-World Results
Readers quoted using lemon essential oil report lots of success.
Anne S. commented, “I had five tops with set-in old, oily stains (butter & salad dressing). I had tried various removal processes that did not work. The shirts were all different fabrics. I simply sprinkled the lemon oil on the dry stains and threw them in the washer with detergent. All the stains disappeared except two. I repeated the lemon oil and washed again, stains gone. It works like magic!!”
Another commenter, Barb A., said, “The dried blood stain that went through the dryer twice and didn’t come out was TOTALLY GONE after using it. Never did I think that was going to happen! Love this stuff!”
Other readers praise the oil for removing food, dye, and mystery stains after conventional methods have failed.
Safety and Limits
It’s important to remember that product-safety sources caution that essential oils are concentrated and not risk-free. If left on fabrics, lemon oil can cause yellowing without washing, and may even damage some plastics.
Ideally, if you have colored or delicate fabrics, you’ll want to use test pieces to make sure the acidic cleansers don’t affect the fabrics. If necessary, consult professionals before trying the remedies.
Practical Recommendations
Keep these tips and tricks in mind when using lemon oil:
- Spot-test before treating visible areas.
- Apply only a few drops at first and wash immediately.
- Avoid leaving oil on fabric for extended periods to reduce yellowing.
- Do not apply to plastics or finishes that may be damaged.
- For delicate, vintage, or professionally-clean-only items, consult a cleaner first.
If you’re holding onto favorite pieces with stains, lemon essential oil may be your saving grace for getting rid of those pesky stains. It’s a great low-cost option to try before more aggressive treatments, and may work better than store-bought or professional fixes.
Always make sure to use a test fabric piece first to make sure you don’t damage the clothing further.