How to Get Butter Out of Clothes

Butter takes your food to a whole new level of tastiness. And did you know it has many other uses besides baking, pan-frying, and sautéing? You can also add it to pasta dishes, roasted veggies, toast bread; the list is endless. This makes it highly likely to get on your clothes while preparing meals, serving or eating. For that reason, you must know how to get butter out of clothes. How is it done? If you have no idea, worry not, we got your back.

In this guide, we will look at how to remove butter stains out of clothes. Of course, getting butter on your clothes or your kids' clothes is not uncommon. But a few butter stains on your clothes can't do any harm, considering their health benefits.

Let us now go through the process of getting butter stains out of clothes.

Like any other stain, the quicker you clean the mess, the easier it will be to get rid of. So, before you start cleaning butter from your clothing, you need to know whether it is washable or dry clean only. From there, you can easily clean it as necessary.

How to Get Butter Out of Washable Clothes

As already mentioned, the sooner you act, the better. So, once butter splatters on your clothing, the first thing you need to do is blot it out. Then, use a paper towel or a clean white cloth to remove as much butter as possible. You can as well use a slice of white bread to soak up the oily substance.

However, if it is a butter blob, you can use a dull knife or spoon to remove the excess solids from the fabric. Avoid rubbing as that could cause the stain to go deeper into the fabric fibers.

1. Use Cornstarch and a Detergent

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Requirements 

• Cornstarch/talcum powder
• Soft-bristled brush/old toothbrush
• Solvent-based stain remover/dish soap
• Warm water depending on the fabric

Method

i). This method works best if the stain is still wet. Lay the garment on a flat surface with the stained part facing up. Sprinkle cornstarch/talcum powder on the stained area.

Gently pat the powder on the stain, then let it rest for 15-30 minutes. The longer the powder sits on the fabric, the higher the chances of removing the butter completely.

ii). Use the soft-bristled brush to brush away the powder particles.

iii). Pre-treat the butter stain with a stain remover. Do this by pouring the detergent over the area. Keep rubbing it gently with your fingers, then let it sit for 15 minutes.

iv). Check the care label to see the highest temperature for cleaning the given fabric. Wash the clothing at the highest temperature allowed. This will help to remove the grease stain.

v). Once you are done with the butter stain removal part, you can wash the whole clothing as necessary, with a washing machine or by hand.

vi). Rinse and dry appropriately

2. Use of Baking Soda and Vinegar

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Requirements

• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Dishwashing Soap/ laundry detergent
• Clean water

Method

i). If your garment has just been stained, start by removing the excess butter with a spoon or a blunt knife. Then, proceed by sprinkling baking soda onto the stain. It is absorbent and will absorb excess melted butter from the fibers of your garment.

ii). Leave the baking soda on the butter stain for up to 24 hours. Leaving it overnight may lead to more effective results as baking soda needs time to work effectively.

The longer you leave it on the stain, the easier it will be to remove the grease stains. However, if you don't have all that time, you can leave the baking soda on the butter stain for at least half an hour.

iii). Mix one part of water with white vinegar and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the cleaning solution onto the greasy stain. The baking soda will begin to foam. In this process, the solution gets even deeper into the fabric to help remove butter stains.

iv). Next, apply a small amount of the dishwashing soap or laundry detergent to the butter stain. Next, gently scrub the spot with a sponge or a clean white cloth to ensure the cloth does not transfer color to the already stained garment. Repeat the process if the stain doesn't come out.

v). Once all the butter stains are completely removed, use the correct cleaning method to wash the garment. Then, rinse with warm water to remove soap and dirt. Finally, do the final rinsing and dry appropriately.

It is critical to confirm that there are no more utter stains before tossing your garment into the dryer. This is because heat can permanently set the butter stain, especially for synthetic fabrics.

How to Remove Butter Stains From Dry-Clean-Only Clothes

How do you remove butter stains from clothes that are non-washable? If you want to remove butter stains from a dry-clean-only garment, you need to ensure you follow the right procedure.

Delicate fabrics that require special care during cleaning may get damaged when washed in water. Therefore, avoid water by all means and ensure you read the care label well and follow the instructions given. Before cleaning, ensure you blot away as much butter as possible.

Requirements

• Paper towels/clean towel
• talcum powder/ baking soda/cornstarch
• Dry cleaning solvent

Method

i). Like other butter stain removal methods, you will start by removing the excess butter with a spoon or a butter knife, or any blunt object available nearby.

ii). Use a dry paper towel to blot away the oil. Also, ensure you don't rub, as that could push the stain deeper into the fabric, making it even more difficult to clean.

iii). Apply baking soda or talcum powder to the patch. Such absorbent powders are great options to use if you want to remove butter stains from clothes.

Let the powder absorb as much butter as possible. You can leave the powder on the garment for up to 24 hours. However, 2-3 hours is still okay if you don't have the 24 hours.

iv). Brush off the powder particles with a soft brush, then dry clean the garment to remove the butter stain.

v). To dry clean the garment, you will need a dry cleaning solvent and follow the instructions provided. Also, ensure you test it on the seam, so your garment does not get discolored or damaged by the product.

If you plan to use a home dry cleaning kit, ensure you first spot-treat the butter stain before putting it on the garment in the dryer bag.

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Get Butter Out of Clothes

1. Does melted butter stain?

Melted butter stains clothes due to their greasy nature. Butter stain removal procedures are necessary for any home cook, as the butter may quickly splatter on your clothes and stain them. Furthermore, melting butter can easily spill from your food onto other surfaces in your homes, such as upholstered furniture or carpet.

2. What temperature gets grease out of clothes?

Use the indicated water temperature on stain remover solutions and detergents. The hot water temperature should be between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, the warm water between 85 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and the cold water between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Many detergents are ineffective at eliminating oily stains in the water below 60 degrees.

Image source: The Maids