Discovering if talcum powder removes oil stains: an experiment in the laundromat
Last Sunday, January 12, while we were celebrating the Three Wise Men holiday, a little accident happened: a shrimp fell on my pants. As anyone could do in this kind of situation, I decided to try a home remedy to remove the stain, using talcum powder. The result was not as expected, and that’s why I want to share my experience so that others can avoid making the same mistake.
The talcum powder test
Immediately after the shrimp fell on my pants, I applied talcum powder on the stain, thinking that this absorbent powder could remove the oil and grease left by the shellfish. I let the talcum powder act for 24 hours, hoping that it would absorb all the excess grease.
After that time, I brushed the surface to remove the excess talc and decided to take the cleaning one step further: applying KH7 grease remover, a well-known product for removing grease and oil stains, before putting the garment in the washing machine. I washed it at 40º, in the #lavanderiaautoservicio of Clean&Easy in Rambla Badal, 56, Sants, Barcelona.
The result
After washing, I noticed that the stain seemed to have disappeared. However, once the pants were completely dry, the stain was still visible. It was at this point that I understood that the talc was not as effective as I had hoped.
Bottom line: does talcum powder work to remove oil stains?
From laundry experience, we can say that we do not recommend talc as a solution for removing oil stains, as it does not seem to be effective enough to remove stubborn grease residue.
Instead, we recommend cleaning the stain quickly with dish soap and water, which contains a strong grease remover component. After this initial cleaning, it is advisable to apply KH7 grease remover before putting the garment in the washing machine. This method has proven to be much more effective at removing oil or grease stains, leaving you with clean clothes with no visible residue.
If you are ever faced with an oil stain, remember to act quickly and use the right products for best results.
You can see all the KH7 products in their web