Its So Easy When You Use Lestoil

Now and then I open my mailbox to find a letter that makes me want to jump up and run around yelling, "I know the answer! I know exactly how to fix this problem!" That's exactly what happened when I heard from Chris …

lestoil in laundry

Dear Mary: As one whose hands tremble a bit (I've been thoroughly checked and it's not a serious matter) I am forever dropping food on my clothing while I eat. That results in grease spots that set in no matter what I do.

I have tried pre-washes, baking soda, double washing, and stain removers. I have not found anything that will remove the grease stains and I am not willing to wear a bib, especially while eating in a nice restaurant with friends and family. I am on a limited budget, and this is becoming a real issue. Please help! Chris

I can identify because I have a similar problem—the result of cooking over a splattering stove while failing to wear an apron. I know what you mean about tough grease spots setting into my clothes and refusing to budge. But not to worry. I have the perfect solution—one I've used nearly every day of my life since I found it.

When old is new again

Lestoil ("less toil") Concentrated Heavy Duty Cleaner is a product that's been around for at least a hundred years. Your mother probably used it on your clothes when you were a kid. It is a thick liquid stain treatment that is not easy to find. I understand that some Walmart stores carry it, which you will find in the laundry aisle or online; now and then I'll see it at Home Depot. For sure you can always find Lestoil Concentrated Heavy Duty Cleaner online at Amazon. I buy two bottles at a time, because I don't ever want to run out of Lestoil.

Fragrant or odiferous?

Here's the thing with Lestoil: I find it very stinky. It smells like the inside of a greasy machine shop. Surprisingly, I have readers who find the scent endearing, but be that as it may, the smell will disappear in the laundry once you wash the stain-treated garment.

Pro Tip

With any cleaning product including Lestoil, always test first in an inconspicuous place like an inner seam or hem to see how it will react with that specific fabric type and color. Allow to sit for at least a few hours, then rinse well and dry.

MORE: 10 Things to Know About Lestoil

How to treat with Lestoil

Saturate

I pour Lestoil into a spray bottle for ease of use so I can blast grease stains, old stains, food stains, make-up stains, and any other stain I manage to pick up. I'm so used to the smell by now that I find it easily tolerated because I know what's going to happen—no more stain.

Roll it up

Next—and this is very important—I roll up that treated item and leave it overnight. (I've tried letting it sit for an hour or so, but find that may not be long enough to guarantee a good result.)

Rinse

In the morning, I rinse the treated area in the sink to remove the Lestoil (just to be safe, as some newer washing machines warn against putting petroleum-based products into the machine).

Launder and usual

Last, I wash and dry these items as usual, and Voila!, stains are gone without a trace of the infamous Lestoil odor.

Repeat as needed

One last thing: There have been a few times that a stain did not come out completely on my first attempt. On that rare occasion, rather than give up, I repeat the process with Lestoil, letting it sit before laundry for up to a couple of days. So far, I've never had to resort to a third attempt.

Lestoil. It's just plain wonderful.

1-Pak Lestoil 48-oz.

WALMART $11.50 ($0.24 fl oz)

1-Pak Lestoil 48-oz.

HOME DEPOT $6.21 ($0.13 fl oz)

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Its So Easy When You Use Lestoil

When old is new again