How to Remove an Oil Stain From a Quilt Top

Preparing to Remove the Stain

• 1

  Blot the oil stain with a clean white cloth or paper towel. Do not rub; instead lift the cloth or towel gently up and down, pressing into the stain.

• 2

  Lay the quilt on a hard, flat surface, such as a table.

• 3

  Place an absorbent white towel beneath the quilt, under the stain, as protection against treatments that soak through all layers of the quilt.

Removal with Pretreaters

• 4

  Pretreat the oil strain with a pretreatment spray. If no pretreaters are available, mix powdered laundry detergent with just enough water to create a paste. Apply the paste directly to the strain.

• 5

  Allow the pretreated quilt to sit for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer, or about 10 minutes.

• 6

  Launder the quilt in the hottest temperature that's safe for the quilt fabric, using a large load’s worth of laundry detergent. Be sure to use the gentle cycle, and face the pieced side of the quilt away from the washer’s agitators.

• 7

  Examine the quilt when the washing cycle is complete. If the stain remains, pretreat and launder again, or try another grease removal method.

Removal with Dry Cleaning Solvent

• 8

  Apply a dry-cleaning solvent to the stain. Allow the solvent to evaporate.

• 9

  Apply a mild hair shampoo to the stain. Allow it to sit for about 10 minutes.

• 10

  Launder the quilt in the hottest temperature that's safe for the fabrics in the quilt, using enough laundry detergent for a large load. Set the washer to the gentle cycle, and turn the pieced side of the quilt so it doesn’t face the agitators.

• 11

  Examine the quilt when the cycle is finished. If the stain remains, repeat the dry cleaning solvent and shampoo treatment or try another stain removal method.

Removal with Washing Soda

• 12

  Mix a little washing soda (found in the laundry aisle; washing soda is not the same as baking soda) with warm water, forming a paste.

• 13

  Apply this mixture to the stain, and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

• 14

  Launder the quilt in the hottest temperature that's safe for the fabric of the quilt, using the correct amount of laundry detergent for a large load. Set the washer on the gentle cycle and make sure the pieced side of the quilt doesn’t face the washer’s agitators.

• 15

  Examine the quilt when the wash cycle is completed. If the stain remains, repeat the stain treatment or try another stain removal method.