Dampen the stained area with lukewarm water. Apply a small amount of dishwashing soap to the stain. Rub at the stain gently with your fingers, making sure to spread the soap throughout the stained fabric.
If you wish to make your own prewash stain remover, mix the following ingredients together: [3] X Research source 1 1/2 cups of water 1/4 cup of liquid castile soap (if you cannot find this in a store, it can be easily purchased online) 1/4 cup of vegetable glycerine (again, available for purchase online) 5-10 drops of lemon essential oil Once the ingredients have been mixed, apply the product to the stain, rubbing it into the fabric gently with your fingers. Let the fabric soak for at least an hour (see specific brand instructions if you purchased a product in-store) before putting the garment through the washing machine.
Add regular laundry detergent to the wash with the stained garment. [4] X Expert Source Rani GorgisLaundry & Cleaning Specialist Expert Interview. 7 April 2021.
Pat the powder gently down into the stain, but don’t rub it into the fabric.
If the stain has not been completely removed, repeat the process until it has.
If the butter stain just happened, scrape off any excess with a knife before starting.
If you don’t have any time to waste, try to let the baking soda sit for at least 30 minutes. [8] X Research source
As the baking soda foams, it will penetrate even deeper into the fibers of your clothing.
If there’s any butter still left, you can repeat this whole process over again.
Test the product on a small, easily hidden patch of fabric on the garment before applying it to the stain. Let it sit for half an hour, then check whether or not the cloth has been damaged in any way. If not, proceed to the next step.
Try to work from the outside in to avoid making the stain bigger by accident.
Check the garment to make sure the stain has been removed before running it through the dryer, as the heat will set the stain even further.
