When I have a headache, joint pain, or even itching, I mainly apply peppermint to the skin, and the pain eventually eases off. However, when I use peppermint oil, I sometimes find that the oil has splattered on my clothes. When that happens, I have to use simple household products to remove the stains.
The best way to remove peppermint oil is to make sure that you immediately wash a fresh stain with dish soap and warm water. If the peppermint oil stain has set in on your clothes or is an old stain, you can treat the stain with rubbing alcohol, baking soda, chalk, and baby powder and then wash the clothes in a washer.
This article discusses seven methods that can be used to get rid of peppermint oil stains from your clothes with different household products that are already available in your house. In addition, you will also find out whether peppermint oil stains clothes, whether peppermint is safe for clothes and how to get the peppermint smell out of clothes.
What Is Peppermint Oil
To understand how to remove peppermint oil stains, it is essential to understand what peppermint oil is and how it is used.
Peppermint oil is a type of oil that is extracted from the peppermint plant. The peppermint plant is mainly grown in Europe and North America.
To manufacture peppermint oil, the peppermint plant is heated at low temperatures. The vapor generated from the heating is cooled, forming a liquid. Peppermint oil floats on top of the water and is then drained off to separate it from water.
Peppermint oil is used for different purposes. Among others, some of the common uses of peppermint oil comprise; flavoring food and drinks as a dietary supplement or as a skin ointment to treat headache, muscle aches, joint pain, and itching.
You can find peppermint oil in most stores packed in different sizes to suit your needs. If you have not used peppermint oil in the past, you should first buy a small size packaging of peppermint oil. Once you have tested the oil and are happy with it, you can buy a bigger packaging of peppermint oil.
Does Peppermint Oil Stain Clothes
Peppermint oil can cause dark stains in clothing. Specifically, when peppermint oil is spilled or splattered on your clothes, the peppermint oil molecules become trapped inside the fibers and pores of your clothes fabric.
The spilled peppermint oil coats the underlying material, and the newly created stains mirror back the light of its color, and that is how the peppermint oil stain is seen with your eyes.
The good thing about peppermint oil stains on your clothes is that, in most cases, the stains can be removed from your clothes using different methods.
Specifically, if the peppermint oil stain on your clothing is fresh, you can either handwash the stained cloth with dish soap or wash the clothes in a washer in a normal wash cycle.
However, if the peppermint oil stain on your clothes is old and has set in, you will have to treat the stain before washing the clothes. If you dry cloth with peppermint stain with your dryer, the peppermint oil stain could become permanent.
You should never throw any of your stained clothes in the dryer unless you are sure that peppermint stains have been completely removed from your clothes.
Does Peppermint Oil Stain Fabric?
As a type of oil, peppermint oil can stain fabrics which it comes into contact with. Specifically, absorbent fabrics are stained by peppermint oil since once the oil splatters on the fabrics; it gets into the fibers of the fabric, thus staining the fabric.
To effectively remove peppermint oil stains from the fabric, always wash the oil when it is still fresh on your fabric. You can remove fresh peppermint oil stains from your fabric by washing the fabric with laundry detergent or dish soap.
Is Peppermint Oil Safe For Clothes?
Usually, peppermint oil is safe for clothes and cannot ruin them, especially if you remove the stain immediately after the oil has splattered on your clothes and the stains are still fresh.
However, it is also important to point out that the type of fabric of the stained clothes and the scope of the stain will determine whether peppermint oil will be safe for clothes and whether the stain can be removed.
In addition, the type of peppermint oil on the clothes will also be crucial in determining whether peppermint oil will ruin your clothes. If you have undiluted peppermint oil and your clothes are made of synthetic fibers such as polyester, your clothes could be ruined by peppermint oil.
Undiluted peppermint oil could break down the bond that holds synthetic fabric fibers together. For example, your 100% polyester clothing could discolor and even be warped.
If your clothes are discolored by peppermint oil, it will be impossible for you to fix the discolored fabric. The discoloration can be attributed to the bleaching effect that essential oils such as peppermint oil and tea tree oil are known to have.
Does Peppermint Oil Come Out Of Clothes?
If the peppermint oil on your clothes has not set in, the oil can easily come out of your clothes by either handwashing the clothes with dish soap or washing the clothes in the washer.
If the peppermint oil has stayed on the clothes for some time and the oil is dry, the oil might come out of clothes after the stain has been treated with different household products or by a stain remover that can be bought from retailers.
When removing peppermint oil from your clothes, make sure that you do not put the clothing with the oil in the dryer until you have confirmed that the oil has come out of the clothing.
You should never throw clothes with peppermint oil in the dryer. The hot air circulating in the dryer will push the oil inside the fibers of your clothes fabric and make the stain permanent – making it impossible for peppermint oil to come out of clothes.
7 Ways To Remove Peppermint Oil Out Of Clothes
Different household products can be used to get peppermint oil out of clothes. In this part of the article, seven different products that can be used to ensure peppermint oil comes out of clothing are explained.
Before you use any of the methods discussed to remove peppermint oil from your clothes, you have to first absorb as much oil as possible from the clothes stained with oil.
You can use paper towels or an absorbent towel to absorb the oil. To absorb peppermint oil, place the paper towel or an absorbent towel on top of the oil stain and gently press the towel so that it absorbs any extra oil on your clothing.
You must remove the extra peppermint oil from your clothes to ensure that the oil will not spread to other parts of your clothing. However, if the oil is already set in your fabric, you should proceed to the actual stain removal process.
Here are the seven methods you can use to remove peppermint oil stains on your clothes.
1. Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a solvent-based agent that can dissolve most oils. Thus, rubbing alcohol can be used to remove peppermint oil stains from clothes easily and effectively.
What You’ll Require
Rubbing Alcohol
Sponge or a clean cloth
Regular bar soap
Procedure
Step 1: Remove excess moisture
If the stained clothing has excess moisture, remove the excess moisture from the clothes.
You need to remove the excess moisture because if your clothing has a lot of moisture in it, rubbing alcohol might not effectively work on the oil stains.
Step 2: Soak the sponge or clean cloth with rubbing alcohol
Soak the sponge with rubbing alcohol and use the sponge to blot out peppermint oil stain. Blot out the stain to the point where it will be thoroughly soaked with rubbing alcohol.
Step 3: Let rubbing alcohol sit in for 10 minutes
Once you have soaked the stain with rubbing alcohol, leave the rubbing alcohol setting in the stain for at least 10 minutes.
During this period, rubbing alcohol will dissolve peppermint oil from the fabric.
Step 4: Gently rub the bar soap on the stain
Using a bar soap, gently rub the bar soap lightly across the stains to cover the stained area.
Step 5: Wash and rinse the clothes
You can hand wash the clothes and rinse them before drying or use a washer to wash the clothes. Before you dry your clothes, make sure that the stains are removed.
Drying clothes with a stain on them can make the stains set in and make stains permanent.
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda is an alkali and can absorb peppermint oil stains and odor from your clothes and leave the clothes clean and fresh.
However, at times, baking soda might not completely remove the oil stains on its own. In such cases, you can mix baking soda and vinegar in equal parts to remove the stubborn peppermint oil stain.
If you don’t have baking soda, you can use a gel stain remover to remove the stain.
What You’ll Require
Small bowl
Warm water
Baking soda
Spray bottle
Soft bristle brush or an old toothbrush
Procedure
Step 1: Spray the stain with warm water
Put water in the spray bottle and dampen the stain with warm water. By soaking the stain with warm water, you will refresh it and make it easy for baking soda to absorb it.
Step 2: Make a baking soda paste
Mix warm water and baking soda in the mixing bowl and make a paste. Once mixed, the paste you make should be thick enough to stay on the stain. The thickness of the paste should be similar to the thickness of toothpaste.
Step 3: Apply the paste on top of the stain
Apply the paste you have made on the top of the stain. Ensure that you apply enough paste on the stain so that the paste fully covers the stain.
Step 4: Use a soft bristle brush or old toothbrush to rub the paste into the fibers
Using a soft brush, gently rub the paste into the fibers. By rubbing the paste into the fibers, you ensure that baking soda will absorb peppermint oil that has advanced inside the fibers.
Step 5: Leave the baking soda paste to sit in for at least an hour
Leave the baking soda paste on the stain for at least 60 minutes. In 60 minutes, baking soda will break down the oil molecules and absorb them.
Step 6: Wash your clothing
Wash the cloth as you normally do. Before you dry the clothes, check and confirm no remaining stains. If some stains remain, repeat the process.
3. Baby Powder
Baby powder is very good in absorbing moisture, and as such, the absorbing value of the powder can be used to remove peppermint oil stain from your clothing.
What you’ll Require
Baby powder/talcum powder
Soft sponge or cloth
Small bowl
Procedure
Step 1: Pour baby powder into the small bowl
Step 2: Dab the sponge or cloth into the baby powder
Step 3: Rub the sponge on the stain, so that baby powder is ‘pushed’ inside the fibers of the clothing
Step 4: Leave the baby powder on the stain for ten minutes
Step 5: Remove the baby powder from the clothes by shaking the stained clothes.
Step 6: Wash the cloth in a normal wash.
Step 7: Dry the cloth after you have confirmed that the stain is removed.
Step 8: Repeat the process if the stains are still there.
4. Dish Soap
Dish soap effectively removes different types of stain since it is made with special chemicals capable of breaking down grease and oil dirt common in dirty utensils.
You don’t need to buy a special dish soap to remove peppermint oil from your clothes. The only thing you need is the regular dish soap you use to wash utensils.
If you have a fresh stain, you can handwash the stained section with dish soap and warm water, and the stain will be removed from your clothes.
What You’ll Require
Dish soap
Sponge, toothbrush, or soft bristle brush
Warm water
Washbasin/sink
Procedure
Step 1: Place the stained fabric on a flat surface
Step 2: Apply dish soap on the stained section
Step 3: Using the brush, gently rub the dish soap into the stain
Step 4: If the stain is still there, mix dish soap with warm water in a washbasin and soak the clothes for at least 30 minutes
Step 5: Wash the clothes in a normal wash setting
Step 6: Check clothes to confirm stains have been removed before drying
Step 7: If stains are not entirely removed, repeat the process
5. Cornstarch
Due to its super absorbent property, cornstarch can suck peppermint oil stains right out of your clothing. However, since cornstarch is abrasive, you need to be careful to remove the stains since the last thing you want is to ruin your clothing.
What You’ll Require
Warm water
Cornstarch
Soft sponge, soft bristle brush, or toothbrush
Mixing bowl
Procedure
Step 1: Spray warm water to the stain
Fill your spray bottle with warm water and spray the water on the stain. The stain will be refreshed by spraying it with water, making it easy for cornstarch to absorb oil on your clothes.
Step 2: Mix cornstarch with water
In the mixing bowl, mix one part of warm water with two parts of cornstarch to make a paste. The paste made should be thick enough to stay on the stain. If you are not sure about the right thickness of the paste, you should create a paste with a thickness similar to that of toothpaste.
Step 3: Apply cornstarch paste on stained sections of your clothing
Apply the cornstarch paste you have made on the stained section of your clothing. Apply enough paste on the stain so that the paste fully covers the stain.
Step 4: Use a brush to rub cornstarch paste onto the stain
Gently rub cornstarch paste onto the stain with a soft brush, toothbrush, or sponge. Rubbing cornstarch paste onto the stain ensures that cornstarch will absorb the oil that could be resting deep inside the fibers.
Step 5: Allow cornstarch paste to sit in for at least 60 minutes
Let the cornstarch paste sit in the stain for a minimum of one hour. One hour is required for cornstarch to break down the oil molecules and absorb them.
Step 6: Wash your clothing
Wash the cloth as you normally do. Prior to drying the clothes, inspect the clothes and confirm that there are no remaining stains. If there are some stains, repeat the process to ensure that clothes are only dried after stains have been entirely removed.
6. Chalk
Chalk commonly used in the classroom can remove peppermint oil stains from clothes. Chalk is made from Calcium Carbonate, which can pull oil stains out of the fabric.
Nevertheless, you should only use chalk when the stains are small in size. For larger stains, you might have less success.
What You’ll Require
Paper towel or absorbent towel
Chalk
Procedure
Step 1: Absorb excess oil from your stained clothes
Blot out extra oil from your clothes using a paper towel or an absorbent towel.
Step 2: Cover the stains with chalk
Use the chalk to cover all the stains. Ensures that all the stains are fully covered.
Step 3: Allow the chalk to set in for 15 minutes
Leave the stains covered with chalk for at least 15 minutes. Allowing the chalk to set in the stain gives the chalk the time needed to absorb the oil.
Step 4: Wash the clothes
After 15 minutes, wash the clothes in a normal wash. If the stains are not yet entirely removed, repeat the stain removal process.
7. Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola has oil and fat-busting abilities due to the carbonic and phosphoric acid found in this beloved soft drink.
You shouldn’t be worried about the acids capable of removing peppermint stains from your clothes since these acids are not harmful to the body – you can continue enjoying your beloved Coca-Cola.
Indeed, carbonic and phosphoric acids found in many soft drinks such as Coca-Cola are naturally found in the body.
What You’ll Require
Coke
Procedure
Step 1: Pour Coca-Cola on the peppermint oil stain
Pour some Coca-Cola on the oil stain and leave your garment for at least three hours.
If you have a stubborn stain, you can also soak the stained garment in Coca-Cola. Even if Coca-Cola has caramel food coloring, you don’t have to worry about this since the food coloring will be easily washed off in the washer.
Step 2: Wash the clothes in the washer
After you have soaked your clothes in Coke or left coke to sit in the stain for three hours, you should proceed to wash the clothes using a normal wash cycle.
Step 3: Check the clothes and only dry them if the stains are removed
After the wash cycle is complete, check the clothes and confirm that stains have been removed. If there are some stains, you should repeat the stain removal process before drying your clothes.
How To Get Peppermint Smell Out Of Clothes
Sometimes, the peppermint smell in clothes can be irritating. The smell can be removed any of the below methods that you feel comfortable with:
Apply baking soda paste on the clothing and let it sit in the cloth for about 30 minutes. After 30 minutes rinse the paste and wash your clothes in the washer. When the wash cycle completes, the smell will be gone.
In your washer’s washing detergent compartment, you can add a teaspoon of activated charcoal when washing your clothes. The activated charcoal will absorb all the smell in the wash so that your clothes come out of the washer free of the peppermint smell.
You can also stop your washing machine as it is about to rinse the clothes and add half a cup of distilled vinegar. As the rinse cycle proceeds, white vinegar will absorb all the peppermint smell from the clothes.
Conclusions
When using peppermint oil, you need to be careful so that the oil does not splatter on your clothes. If you accidentally spill oil and your clothes are stained, wash the fresh stain with laundry detergent or dish soap.
If you have old peppermint oil stains, you need to treat the stains with one of the methods discussed so that you can effectively remove the stains.
Sources
National Center For Complementary And Integrative Health
