8 Ways To Get Rid Of Stains From Polyester

Polyester found its way onto the fashion scene in the 1970s. It was sold as a material that you could wear for 68 days non-stop without having to iron it. 

It also provided a range of other benefits such as:

• not prone to shrinking or stretching. 
• the fibers are strong but light.
• dries fast.

With all these advantages going for it, no wonder polyester has become a popular fabric. When your favorite polyester shirt or garment becomes victim to a stain, what can you do? 

It’s easy to gather up your stain-busting gear. Most of what you need may already be in your home: vinegar; baking soda; dishwash detergent; and cloths.

Read on to find out 8 different methods you can try to remove the stain from your polyester.

There may be affiliate links in this article. You can read more about this in my disclosure.

Get onto the stain quickly

The best way to attack a stain in your polyester is to treat it as soon as possible. Fresher stains are easier to remove. 

However, that doesn’t mean that the more inground spots aren’t possible to remove. They just require more elbow grease and maybe several applications of your stain remover. 

How to remove stains from polyester

Let’s run you through how to rescue your polyester from stains. 

1. Removing polyester stains with vinegar

For this method you will need:

• Vinegar 
• Dishwashing liquid
• Water 
• A cloth
• A bowl 

Instructions:

1. In your bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid with a cup of vinegar and a cup of water.
2. Place a corner of your cloth into the solution. Allow the cloth to soak up a good amount of the liquid. 
3. Dab at the stain on the clothing. For more stubborn stains, gently rub over the area with circular motions. Allow the solution to be absorbed by the clothing.
4. Set the clothing aside for 20 minutes so that the solution can work on the stain.
5. After the time is up, take your clothing and vigorously (but gently) rub the fabric together.
6. Rinse the garment under running cold water.
7. Place it in the washing machine and give it a cycle. Allow the clothing to air dry. 

2. Use alcohol to get rid of the stain

You don’t need many things for this method:

• Alcohol (you want at least 90% isopropyl. This is effective at removing stains. A lower percentage of alcohol can work, but may require you to repeat the application a couple of times). 
• A cloth

Instructions:

1. Pour some of the alcohol onto your cloth. 
2. Blot the stain with the cloth. 
3. Rinse your clothing under cold water. Look to see if the stain has gone. More stubborn stains require several applications.
4. Launder your piece of clothing and then hang it up to dry. 

3. Apply some baking soda

To get rid of stains from your polyester with this approach, grab the following things:

• Baking soda 
• Water
• A bowl
• A cloth

Instructions:

1. Combine your baking soda and water into the bowl (use 1 part of soda to 2 parts water).
2. Dip your cloth into the solution and then carefully rub at the stain. The deeper stains may require you to allow the baking soda to penetrate the fibers. (Apply a generous amount of the solution to the area and leave it for 20 to 30 minutes). 
3. Wash away the solution with cold water.
4. Wash the clothing in your washing machine. Allow it to air dry.

Removing specific stains

We took you through the three fundamental ways to remove stains from your polyester.

However, let’s concentrate on how to take care of more specific issues regarding spots and splotches on your clothing. 

4. Taking care of pen ink 

A leaking pen in your pocket can cause you a lot of frustration as you look at the stain. But, don’t fret.

You can take care of the ink splotch with some hairspray. 

What you will need:

• Hairspray 
• White vinegar 
• Dishwash soap
• Water 
• A bowl

Instructions:

1. Spray the ink stain with your hairspray
2. In the bowl add four cups of water, a teaspoon of dish soap, and a tablespoon of vinegar. 
3. Soak the stain in the solution. Leave it for at least 30 minutes.
4. Run the stain under cold water. If the ink is still there, repeat the process. 
5. Once the stain is gone, wash your clothing in the washing machine. 

5. Removing the oil stains

These can be harder to remove as oil doesn’t like to play that well with water. That doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to rid your polyester of that unsightly oil spot. 

Grab this gear:

• Dish soap
• Hydrogen peroxide 
• Baking soda 

It’s best to treat the stain as soon as you notice it. Follow these steps:

1. Sprinkle the stain with baking soda. You can gently pat the soda into the fabric to allow it to penetrate the fibers. 
2. Leave the baking soda for 15 to 30 minutes to absorb as much of the oil as possible. Brush off the baking soda.
3. Apply several drops of dish soap to the stain. Carefully massage the soap into the fabric. Leave it for 10 minutes
4. Put the affected piece of clothing into your washing machine and give it a warm wash. Use the standard amount of laundry detergent. Mix in a cup of hydrogen peroxide (or Borax). 
5. Let the garment air dry. 

If the stain is still there, repeat the process. 

6. Getting rid of grease stains

Grease stains also require you to tackle them as quickly as possible. It makes the process easier. 

You only need one item to take care of this type of stain: 

• Grease-removing dish soap (such as Dawn)

Instructions:

1. Rinse the stain with cold water
2. Apply a teaspoon of your dish soap to the area. 
3. Work the soap into the stain and set your garment aside for 5 minutes. 
4. Put the clothing into your washing machine and give it a cool wash.
5. You can either air dry the clothing or place it in a clothes dryer. 

7. Ridding your polyester of blood stains 

You noticed some blood on your clothing and wonder how you can remove it. You need to assemble a little kit that consists of:

• Dish soap
• Paper towels (or a cloth)
• A bucket or basin
• Water
• Laundry detergent 
• Hydrogen peroxide

Follow these steps to remove the blood:

1. Use your paper towels or cloth to blot up the fresh blood. Try and remove as much blood as you can with this process.
2. Fill your bucket or basin with warm water. Add in the appropriate measure of laundry detergent (check the manufacturer’s instructions for this).
3. Submerge your soiled clothing into the water. You want it to remain in the water (so you may have to weigh down the clothing to prevent it from floating to the surface).
4. Leave the clothing to soak for 3 hours.
5. Empty the water and replace it with fresh water. 
6. Add in another portion of laundry detergent. Mix in your hydrogen peroxide. Half a cup of each is sufficient.
7. Leave your clothing in the bucket/basin overnight. 
8. In the morning give your clothing a cold wash in your washing machine. Let it air dry. 

8. Removing the yellow stains

Sweat, improper storage, using too much bleach, or not washing the polyester correctly can all cause the fabric to have a yellowish stain.

That doesn’t mean that the garment is now useless. You can restore the clothing to its former glory. 

This method requires the following items:

• Oxygen bleach
• White Vinegar
• Water
• A bucket or basin

Instructions:

1. In the bucket\basin mix your bleach and warm water.
2. Soak your clothing in the solution overnight.
3. In the morning, wash the clothing in your washing machine. Use a warm wash. Add ½a cup of white vinegar to the wash.
4. Air dry the garment. It’s best to dry it in the sun as the sunlight acts as a natural bleaching agent.

Your polyester is as good as new

Stains on your clothes may have you wondering if you need to throw the garment away. Yet, with a handful of items lying around your house, you can have that piece of clothing looking clean again.

Some more inground stains require several attempts to remove them. The key point is to deal with the stain while it’s fresh.

By doing so, the task is easier. Enjoy your beautiful, stain-free polyester.

Last update on 2023-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API