Perhaps silicone is one of the most stubborn substances to remove from clothing. Thanks to its nature, it penetrates into the fibers of the fabrics and becomes encrusted. However, with a little patience and persistence, you can use home remedies to remove stubborn silicone stains from clothing.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Cool and Scratch the Stain
Step 1. Place the garment in the freezer
If you didn't notice the stain right away, put the garment in the freezer for a few hours to allow the silicone to harden. After a few days, you should be able to almost remove it by scratching it with your fingernails or a butter knife. Once it has solidified, peel it off the fabric very carefully. The larger piece should turn into a sticky lump and peel off easily.
Alternatively, use an ice cube. Place it on the stain until it hardens in the cold. Once frozen, silicone weakens and peels off more easily
Step 2. Scrape the stain with a pair of scissors
Break up the silicone one piece at a time. The operation will be easier if you harden it in contact with the cold. You can also use a butter knife, board, or other scraping tool. Be careful not to cut yourself or damage the garment!
Step 3. Finish the job
Once the bulk is removed, clean any remaining stains with denatured alcohol or another cleaner. Sure you'll be able to get rid of the larger pieces by scraping or scratching them, but other traces may remain.
Method 2 of 3: Absorb the Stain
Step 1. Treat the silicone stain as quickly as possible
If you notice it before it has a chance to harden, you will be able to remove it more easily. Try putting the garment in the washing machine with the detergent you usually use to do laundry. If it's white, add bleach to make the wash more effective. Fresh silicone stains or stains that are not completely dry can be removed by washing the garment normally.
Step 2. Absorb the stain with water
Wet a cloth or paper towel. Press it firmly onto the silicone stain and let the moisture soak into the fibers. Blot the area several times and scrub gently. Try to absorb the stain so that you remove as much silicone from the garment as you can.
Step 3. Blot with denatured alcohol
After removing the bulk of the silicone, wet a folded piece of paper with some denatured alcohol. It must adhere to the fabric so that it absorbs the stain by allowing the alcohol to penetrate into the fibers. Blot until you can remove it.
- To get rid of the stain you will need to apply alcohol repeatedly, increasing the amount each time.
- Always use a clean area of the cloth. If it gets dirty and filled with silicone, you may want to change it.
Step 4. Wash the garment
Once the stain is gone, wash the garment in hot or cold water. Take it from the washing machine drum and check it to make sure you have removed any residue. You will likely have to wash it several times to get rid of the stain completely. If there is still any trace, do not put it in the dryer, otherwise the heat will set it.
Method 3 of 3: Other Methods
Step 1. Use a chemical based product
To finish the job, buy a cleaner. Look for one specifically designed to remove silicone. Follow all instructions and warnings on the package to use it correctly.
Warning: if this is the first time you use it, always test it on an older garment before applying it to a garment you particularly care about
Step 2. Try using a hand sanitizer
Antibacterial disinfectants can remove certain types of stains from clothing and be effective on silicone. First, pour the product on the affected area. Gently wipe it with a damp cloth or towel. You will likely need to apply it several times if the stain is particularly stubborn.
Step 3. Use baking soda
Wet the stain with water. Pour the baking soda on the still wet fabric. Rub it with a cloth or towel until the silicone comes off.
