Oil Stain Removal From Silk Fabric on Dining Room Chairs

Remove Excess Oil

• When you notice an oil stain on the silk fabric, remove the excess oil promptly. Pick up food or debris from the chair with paper towels carefully so that you do not make the stain worse. Scrape off dried oil from the chair with a dull butter knife. Once you remove all objects from the surface, blot the stain with paper towels or an old washcloth to remove any remaining oil. When you blot the stain, do not rub or push down on the silk fabric.

Absorb Oil Stain

• Absorbing the oil from the silk fabric will make the stain removal process easier. Cover the stain with dry cornstarch or baking soda and let it sit on the chair for 20 minutes. The dry powder absorbs the oil from the silk. The baking soda or cornstarch may form clumps as it absorbs the oil. After you absorb the oil, vacuum the powder off the dining room chair with a vacuum cleaner that has an upholstery attachment.

Oil Stain Treatment

• A dry-cleaning solvent solution effectively removes the oil stain from the silk fabric. Apply a small amount of the the solvent to an old washcloth and blot it over the stain until the silk absorbs it. If the oil stain remains on the silk fabric, apply the dry-cleaning solvent again. You can purchase a dry-cleaning solvent in the laundry detergent aisle or from your local dry cleaner.

Tips and Warnings

• Always test cleaning solutions on hidden areas first to ensure that the solution does not damage the silk. If you have difficulty removing the stain, repeat the entire process again in an attempt to remove any lingering oil. Never scrub silk fabric, because you can tear the delicate threads. Do not apply harsh cleaners such as bleach or ammonia to silk, because they will ruin the fabric.