Can I save My Clothes?

Updated on March 31, 2009
A.B. asks from Hutto, TX
7 answers

I washed a load of my dark colored work shirts and a couple pair of pants. I forgot that there was chapstick in one of the pants packets! Is there anyway to save my clothes? there are grease looking spots all over everything. I am afraid I have not only lost my favorite chapstick but also a weeks worth of work clothes. Please help!

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So What Happened?

I never even thought about Sol-u-mel. My mother-in-law is a Melaleuca sales rep. I will definately give it a try. thanks!

More Answers

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S.G.

answers from Houston on

I know of a product that is a natural solvent that might just work. It took paint off my carpet and lipstick out of my carpet and I have used it for other stains as well. It is called Solumel and it is only available through a catalog wellness company. I am a representative of that company but I would be willing to try it on one of your clothes if you live close enough to me. I also use the prespot with it but the Solumel has tea tree oil in it which is what penetrates and breaks down grease.
I live in the Deer Park Area.

2 moms found this helpful
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B.N.

answers from Houston on

My husband got some sort of grease from his boat on his jeans a few weeks ago. I didn't see it before they had already been washed and dried but once I spotted it I put some of my dish soap on the spots and rubbed it in with my finger and let them sit for about half an hour and rewashed them and the spots came out. I use the Green Works dish soap which is clear so it doesn't leave another stain like one that is blue or orange might. Also, I would refrain from using some sort of brush on the clothes as it may damage the fabric fibers.

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M.R.

answers from Austin on

Hancock Fabrics has a stain remover called Grandma's something or another...it works WONDERS! I'm the world's worst when it comes to little food spots or even fabric softener stains...I even had mascara on the shoulder of my light yellow t-shirt that didn't get washed for over a month (because I wanted to treat it & it kept missing the washer) and the stains came out. It's like $3-4 for a small bottle but worth it!

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Oh, dear. I am sending you good thoughts... This is just like something I would do..

Did you place these clothes in the dryer? If so, I will tell you, this is going to be lots tougher to get out. Probably not going to ever totally come out.
All of those "spots" need to be treated like grease.

You also will really need to clean the dryer and washer drums to make sure there is no residue left. Clumps of chapstick could have collected in there or smeared around.

The tissue idea is good, you can even use newspaper to place between the clothing..

Use baby powder on each spot, sprinkle it on both sides of the clothing. lightly pat the powder onto the fabric. Let this sit for 4 hours, brush off the powder with a toothbrush and do this again until as much of the spot is gone. This may take a few days.

Once you have as much off of the fabric, treat with a spot cleaner like shout, or use straight detergent on each spot on both sides. Use the toothbrush to lightly agitate the detergent into each spot, both sides of the fabric. Let this sit for about 10 minutes, then wash. Look at your clothes before you put them in the dryer. Make sure they look cleared of spots.. If they are still there, try all of this again.

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H.P.

answers from Corpus Christi on

This is going to sound a little nuts but try engine degreaser. When I was a kid and I worked at a movie theater I would get the oil for making the popcorn and the popcorn "buter" all over the sleeves of my white uniform shirts. My mom used the engine degreaser called Purple Power (it even comes in a purple container) and the shirts looked like new. Best of luck too you. Make sure when you rewash you do it in cold so you don't remelt the chapstick.

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B.S.

answers from San Antonio on

Well chapstick is made out of was right? If so maybe try getting tissue paper [like for presents] and place one on top and bottom- clothing item in the middle and iron it. Maybe I don't know if that will work. Have you try just washing them again w/ a little goo gone?
GL

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A.C.

answers from Houston on

Try Simple Green and soaking them in an OxyClean solution.

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