Any brand of detergent will work to clean the clothing, but adding a few simple ingredients to the wash cycle will create the best detergent solution for removing both stains and body oils.
Hair Shampoo
Hair shampoo works perfectly for removing body oils, as it is designed to remove built-up body oil from hair. When laundering clothes, either soak the soiled clothing in a tub with 1/2 cup of sudsy hair shampoo, or rub a few drops directly onto the stain, let sit for a few minutes, then launder as usual. You can also substitute washing soda (available at any grocery store with laundry detergents) for the laundry detergent to make your own homemade laundry detergent.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is another easy way to get body oil out of clothing. Soak the clothing in water and 1 cup of lemon juice, or put clothing in the washing machine with 1 cup lemon juice and 1 cup washing soda. Alternately, simply use your regular laundry detergent and add a cup of lemon juice. Repeat as needed to keep body oil stains from setting into clothing. Also, use a cup of lemon juice with your white laundry to keep brights fresh and white. The lemon-fresh scent is an added bonus when washing with lemon juice.
Vinegar
Vinegar is a natural disinfectant, cleaning and breaking up body oil deposits on clothing. Put soiled clothing in the washing machine, and add 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup distilled white vinegar (available at any grocery store). Wash on the normal cycle, and clothing will come out free of body oil stains and odor. If you do not have washing soda on hand, simply substitute a scoop of your regular laundry detergent. Repeat as often as necessary to keep clothing odor and stain free.
The Drip Cap
- Body oils can easily set into clothing through normal wear.
- Hair shampoo works perfectly for removing body oils, as it is designed to remove built-up body oil from hair.
- Repeat as needed to keep body oil stains from setting into clothing.
- Put soiled clothing in the washing machine, and add 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup distilled white vinegar (available at any grocery store).