01Soak up the oil first
- Lay the garment flat and press a paper towel on the mark to take up what is still wet; do not rub
- Cover the spot with a little cornflour, baby powder or bicarbonate of soda, leave it for 15 to 30 minutes so it draws the oil out, then brush it off
- Do not put water on fresh oil before this step; water and oil do not mix, and it can spread the mark
02Break it down with washing-up liquid
Washing-up liquid is made to lift grease from plates, and it works on fabric too. Put a drop on the mark, work it in gently with your fingertip or a soft toothbrush from the back of the fabric, and leave it for about ten minutes before rinsing.
03Then wash it
- Read the care label and wash at the warmest temperature it allows; warm water helps to carry oil away
- Check the mark when the wash is done, before it goes in the dryer or under the iron
- If a dark patch is left, treat it again; heat from the dryer can fix an oil mark for good
04Sunscreen, body oil and collars
Sunscreen and body oils build up slowly on collars, cuffs and the backs of necks, and some sunscreens leave a yellow or orange mark. Treat these the same way, with washing-up liquid on the line before each wash, and wash light shirts and kanduras soon after a beach day.
05Silk, chiffon and dry clean only
On silk, chiffon, wool and anything marked dry clean only, do not use water or washing-up liquid. Dust the mark with cornflour to take up the oil, brush it off gently and take it to a dry cleaner soon. Dry cleaning solvents dissolve oil that water leaves behind.
06Or hand it to us
Give it to our driver and tell us it is oil or grease. We check the care label and treat the mark the gentle way the label allows, and if it is not right, we clean it again for free. A kandura is AED 15 to dry clean and a shirt AED 15, and clothes can go 12-hour express (+50%).