Oil stains 'vanish' from clothes without washing when you use 93p item

Regardless of how carefully you eat, we've all experienced our share of mishaps. Whether it's a dollop of tomato sauce that's dropped from your chip moments before reaching your mouth, or an unfortunate slip with your cutlery which sent food cascading down your pristine shirt, few of us can claim we've never stained our clothing.

Certain food marks are fairly straightforward to eliminate from garments with a swift wash, while others prove more persistent. Grease stains rank among the most challenging marks to clean, as oil and water notoriously don't combine, meaning conventional washing methods often fail to budge the grease.

However, according to one lady on Instagram, there exists a useful technique for removing oil marks from garments in moments. What's more, you require just one 93p product to execute the method - and you don't even need to launder the affected item.

Christina Marcano revealed she operates within the clothing industry and has been handling garments for more than two decades, with some of her manufacturing staff sharing this technique with her.

She explained: "I have an oil stain [on this shirt]. I have no idea where I got it from, and I hate it when this happens. I have been working in the apparel business for over 20 years, and there's a trick that the factories taught me that gets rid of oil stains almost instantly."

All it takes is a sprinkle of baby powder, also known as talcum powder, directly on the stain. Then, using a clean part of the fabric, rub the powder into the stained area.

Christina demonstrated that after less than a minute of this treatment, the stain on her T-shirt had completely vanished. Once she put the top back on, there was no trace of the previous stain, allowing her to wear her shirt for the day without needing to wash it - an ideal solution if you're pressed for time.

Certain supermarkets sell baby powder for as little as 93p, although average prices for the product from pharmacies like Boots typically hover around £2.

The trick is effective because baby powder acts as an astringent, which aids in drying up secretions. Just as baby powder helps to absorb oiliness on our skin, it can also help dry oil spills.

Commenters on the post were astounded by the woman's clever hack. Many admitted they were unaware of baby powder's effectiveness and vowed to rush out and buy some to have on hand for their next mishap.

One individual exclaimed: "Holy mind blown!" Another added: "This is an amazing tip, thank you!" A third said: "I can confirm that cornflour also works."

How to remove oil stains from clothes

If the baby powder trick hasn't done the job, or your oil stain is more stubborn, you can attempt a more thorough cleaning routine. Start with cornstarch or baby powder to absorb any excess oil. Let it sit for 30 minutes and then brush it off, before following these steps:

1. Pre-treat with washing-up liquid: Apply a small amount of liquid washing-up soap (like Fairy) directly onto the stain. Gently work it in with your fingers or a soft brush. Washing-up liquid is effective because it's designed to cut through grease.

2. Let it soak: Allow the soap to soak into the stain for 5-10 minutes.

3. Wash as normal: Wash the garment in the hottest water safe for the fabric (check the care label). Use your usual laundry detergent.

4. Check before drying: Before putting the item in the tumble dryer, check if the stain has disappeared. Heat can set the stain. If it's still there, repeat the steps above.