Mayonnaise is a versatile and tasty condiment, but it can leave stubborn stains if it gets on your clothes. Have no fear – with a few simple techniques and ingredients likely already in your pantry, you can banish those pesky mayo stains for good.
What You’ll Need
- Dish soap
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Old toothbrush
- Bucket for soaking
- Washcloth
Act Quickly for Best Results
When mayonnaise gets on clothing,immediate action is key for lifting the oily stain. The quicker you can begin treating the spot, the better chance you have of preventing a permanent mark on your garment. As soon as you notice mayo on fabric, start the cleaning process.
Start With Soaking
Fill a bucket or sink with very warm water and add a teaspoon of dish soap. Carefully place the mayo-stained clothing in the soapy solution, making sure the stain is fully submerged. Allow it to soak for at least half an hour, up to a few hours if the stain is significant. This initial soaking helps begin breaking down the oils and egg in the mayonnaise so they can be flushed out easier.
Make a Baking Soda Paste
While your garment is soaking, mix a paste of baking soda and water. The texture should be spreadable but thick, similar to a dough consistency. Set this mixture aside for the next step when it’s time to scrub.
Scrub With Paste and Vinegar
Once done soaking, remove the clothing and gently ring out any excess water. Lay the stain facing up and liberally apply the baking soda paste on top. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Sprinkle undiluted white vinegar over the paste – a bubbling reaction will occur to further lift the oils. Using an old toothbrush, gently scrub the fizzy paste concentrate only on the affected area for 2-3 minutes.
Rinse, Repeat, and Wash
Rinse the clothing thoroughly with clean water until all soap residue is gone. Check the stain – if discoloration remains, repeat another round of soaking, scrubbing, and rinsing. When no more stain remains, launder as usual following the care instructions. Mayonnaise stains gone for good!
Prevent Future Mayo Stains
- Use napkins in lap when eating to catch drips
- Avoid wearing nicer garments if frequently using mayo-filled foods
- Wipe condiment remnants off hands and mouth before touching clothing
- Immediately soak stains once noticed
Following these steps and techniques, you can keep your clothing looking fresh and mayonnaise-free. A bit of diligent soaking, scrubbing, and laundering keeps the stains away. Stay sauce-free and fear no condiment spills!
References
[1] Food Stain Solutions – Removing Grease/Oil Stains from Clothing [2] How to Get Mayonnaise Out of Clothing by The Spruce [3] Stain Solutions: Salad Dressing by Tide Detergent
Laura has had an enthusiasm for laundry ever since she was a teenager experimenting with wash cycles. She went on study textile science in college before working in product testing.
Soon, Laura found friends and family constantly asking her laundry advice, realizing she had become an unofficial laundry guru. The questions kept coming in, so Laura decided to start sharing laundry tips online to help more people. The enthusiastic response led her start the blog “Laundry How”.
Now in her late thirties, Laura uses Laundry How to tackle all kinds of laundry topics – stains, fabric care, detergents, and more. She provides advice from both her studies and experience testing techniques out firsthand. Laura continues to grow an engaged community of laundry learners, feeling fulfilled empowering people to make laundry an easy, confidence-building ritual rather than a dreaded chore.