According to this Viral Trick, You CAN Save Oil-Stained Linens & Clothes

Let’s hear it for the *enthusiastic* eaters. We’re a rowdy crowd — one that always seems to end meals with a few stains on our T-shirts and napkins. Some stains are relatively easy to tackle (did you know there’s a product that can help erase turmeric splotches?). But others are notoriously tricky. The worst offender is oil. Unfortunately for lovers of salad dressing and pasta sauce, oil stains are often a lifetime commitment. That was until this viral trick began making the rounds. 

I first encountered the tip from Carolina McCauley, a “home hacks queen,” on Instagram. McCauley always has the best tricks and aha moments — like replacing fabric softener with white vinegar — so when she shared a Reel that claimed to hold the secret for removing oil stains, I was all ears. Or rather, eyes. (The instructions are shared in text overlay on the screen.) 

In the video, McCauley pours a little oil onto a white T-shirt. I gasped, but she was only doing it in the name of research. She then gently blots off excess with a paper towel and adds a generous scoop of baking soda on the spot. After an hour, she mixes a cap of laundry detergent with one cup of water, then uses a small brush to rub it into the stain. Into the wash it goes, on a regular cycle.