Removing Lube Stains

There’s nothing like having a guest over only to unintentionally reveal the myriad of WET Ecstasy Silicone stains on the sheets of your unmade bed. Mortified much?

You can get creative with the arrangement of your throw pillows or try to pass it off as a long ago greasy fried-food-buffet-in-bed gone horribly wrong, but chances are they will know your deep, dark secret. You have sex! Eek! It’s alright though, because if they recognize these shade-darker-circles on your sheets, they’ve been in the exact same boat.

While you may never have a clean mind, that’s no excuse to have unclean sheets. That’s why we have compiled an extensive product list for those of you who are less than thrilled about the state of your post-coital fabrics.

Removing Lube Stains - Basics

Before I begin listing the many products which are helpful for removing lube stains from sheets, let me preface it by saying there are a multitude of different fabrics and lubes out there and some experimentation may be required for optimal stain removal. Cotton, satin, down comforters, faux fur, lace, jersey, wool, flannel... honestly the list just goes on and on.

If you have a sentimental quilt, $2000 sheets or you are staying in someone else’s bed, it’s probably best to just lay a few towels down to minimize the amount of stains you end up with in the first place. I know this can be hard to do in the heat of the moment, but who wants to spend their entire weekend scrubbing fabric and stressing out about bed linens? Not I, my friends, not I.

When it comes to eliminating stains on linens, be sure to use a plentiful amount of your chosen cleaning product, so that the affected spot is completely saturated. You may even want to rub the product into the fabric with a soft brush (like an old toothbrush). I also wholeheartedly recommend always using hot water and a high quality laundry detergent while washing your stained fabrics.

Before you begin, bear in mind that the two steadfast rules of stain removal are: do NOT put the stained item into the drier if the stain is still present after washing. This can set the stain permanently. The second rule of stain removal is to rehydrate the stain with the same lube that made the stain, if it has already dried, before you begin the stain removal process. This reactivates the lube and essentially creates a fresh stain.

Water-Based Lube Stains

White Vinegar and Rock Salt

Apply a liberal amount of vinegar to the stain and use the rock salt as an exfoliant/extracting agent. Rub the coarse salt around the outer edges of the stain and wash with hot water and detergent.

Windex

The ammonia in this spray product will take out the stain, but beware that the original color for Windex is blue, so this may create a new stain on light colored fabric.

Hygrogen Peroxide

This serves as a cleaning agent and also as a disinfectant. Works great if any bodily fluids are mixed in with the lube stain (especially effective with blood). Keep applying until bubbles no longer form on the stain.

Dish soap and Laundry Detergent Combo

These liquid soaps should be applied well in advance so they can marinate the stained area. It’s best to use clear, dye-free soaps, so as not to create a new stain. Mix them together in a half and half ratio for the best result.

Again, this product is designed for keeping your adult toys clean, but Pjur Med Clean works well on silicone lube stains, particularly if they are mixed with other secretions from the body (fecal matter, blood, ejaculate, discharge). It's disinfectant properties also ensure that your sheets are germ free, even prior to washing.

Soilove

This is the most economical option for silicone lube stain removal. This is a laundry soil stain remover which is available for purchase online, but I’ve seen it at the dollar store. Use it liberally and really work it into the fabric.

De-Solv-It

This citrus based spray is great for removing silicone lube stains from some fabrics, but De-Solv-It needs to be used in a timely manner, and it is hit or miss depending on what your sheets are made of.

OxiClean

This product works for removing silicone stains, but only if the stain is still fresh (not dried yet). So, if this is your preferred way to remove silicone lube stains, be prepared to get up and treat those sheets with OxiClean right away.