How to Remove Olive Oil From Silk

Written By
Samantha Volz
Samantha Volz
Published: Dec 18, 2009
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

Therefore, if you are dealing with oily substances such as olive oil—whether you're cooking or eating—you need to know the proper procedure and materials to get the fabric clean without damaging its integrity.

  1. Fill a sink or tub with lukewarm water. Mix in non-alkaline soap or baby shampoo until suds form.

  2. Soak the silk garment for no more than five minutes. Agitate gently with your hands to clean.

  3. Rinse with clean, warm water. Allow silk to air dry before continuing. This basic cleaning may remove the olive oil; if not, move on to the next step.

  4. Cover the olive oil stain with cornstarch or talcum powder. These materials absorb liquids and spills directly out of the silk. Allow the powder to sit on the stain for 20 minutes.

  5. Wipe away the powder with a soft, clean washcloth or soft-bristle brush. Repeat the application as necessary to remove the entire stain.

Things You Will Need

  • Sink or tub
  • Water
  • Non-alkaline soap or baby shampoo
  • Cornstarch or talcum powder
  • Washcloth or soft-bristle brush
Samantha Volz

Samantha Volz has been involved in journalistic and informative writing for over eight years. She holds a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lycoming College, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, with a minor in European history. In…

Sponsored
HomeSteady Logo

HomeSteady is the ultimate guide for all your household needs, from cleaning and HVAC to electrical, DIY and maintenance.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.