Oil pastels are bright and fun to use, but unfortunately, they can leave marks on clothes as well as paper. Does your child often get oil pastel on their clothes or the sofa? Don’t worry! This guide offers tested advice, combined with many of the methods available online, to help you effectively remove oil pastel stains from clothing.
1. Understand Oil Pastels and Their Stains
Oil pastels are made of pigments mixed with non-drying oil and wax binders. This gives them a creamy texture, but they can be tricky to clean once they’re on fabric. Knowing that they contain oil and wax helps us figure out how to remove them.
2. Pre-treatment Before Washing
Before tackling the stains, you should act quickly and appropriately. This will make cleaning easier.
1) Act Fast: The sooner you deal with the stain, the better your chances of removing it.
2) Scrape Off Excess Stain: Gently scrape away any extra pastel from the fabric using a knife or a credit card. Be careful not to spread the stain further.
3) Blot, Don’t Rub: Use a paper towel or clean cloth to blot the stain and absorb as much oil as you can. Rubbing might push the pastel deeper into the fabric.
3. Actual Washing
Depending on what you have at home, you can choose different washing tools and methods. Also, consider your fabric type to make sure the cleaning agent won’t damage it.
1) Method One: Dish Soap
Because oil pastels contain oil, dish soap can effectively remove the stain.
2) Method Two: Alcohol
You can use a cotton swab soaked in alcohol to dab at the stain. Afterward, clean with dish soap or regular laundry detergent. For deeper stains, you may need to repeat the alcohol application.
3) Method Three: Makeup Remover
If you wear makeup, makeup remover can also work well. It effectively dissolves oil-based stains.
4) Method Four: Specialized Cleaners
You can use specialized stain removers, like bleach or WD-40, or products specifically designed for cleaning oil pastels. Just be careful, as these can damage some fabrics. For instance, bleach can ruin colors.
4. FAQ
Q1: Will these methods damage my clothes?
Always test any cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area of the fabric first. This will help you avoid potential damage.
Q2: What if I don’t have any of the recommended cleaners at home?
You could try using laundry detergent, shampoo, or soap since they are also meant to cut through grease. Toothpaste can be used, but it may not work as well on some fabrics.
Q3: What if the oil pastel stain is on the wall?
You can try the same methods mentioned above, keeping in mind potential damage to the wall. Toothpaste works well for stains on walls too.
Q4: What if the stain is on the floor?
You can use the usual cleaning products that you keep in the kitchen or bathroom.
5. Conclusion
Getting oil pastels on clothes can be very frustrating. You should clean it up right away—the quicker, the better! I hope this guide helps you deal with those pesky oil pastel stains.
