Cover the oil stain with cornstarch immediately and let it absorb for 15–30 minutes — silk is a protein fiber that needs gentle treatment, so never rub or use hot water [S1]. After brushing off the powder, dab Sil Fleckengel onto the stain, wait 10 minutes, then hand wash in lukewarm water (max 30°C). Silk's smooth fiber surface means oil sits between fibers rather than bonding to them, so removal is very achievable with the right approach.
How to Remove Oil Stains from Silk
⏱️ Absorb Quickly — Oil Spreads on Silk
How to Remove Oil from Silk — Step by Step
- Absorb with cornstarch or talcum powder. Generously cover the oil stain with cornstarch, talcum powder, or even baby powder. These absorb oil through adsorption — the powder particles pull oil out of the silk by capillary action. Let sit 15–30 minutes, or overnight for heavy stains.
- Brush off gently. Use a soft brush to remove the powder. Don't rub — silk fibers become weak when wet and are easily damaged by friction [S1]. If the powder has turned translucent, it absorbed oil. Repeat if needed.
- Apply stain gel carefully. Dab a small amount of Sil Fleckengel directly onto the remaining stain using your fingertip. The gel format clings to the stain without spreading. Wait 10 minutes.
- Hand wash in lukewarm water. Fill a basin with lukewarm water (max 30°C). Submerge the garment and gently agitate — press and release, don't scrub. A few drops of white vinegar in the rinse water can help restore silk's natural sheen.
- Roll in a towel to remove water. Never wring silk. Lay the garment on a clean white towel, roll it up, and press gently to absorb excess water.
- Air dry flat. Lay the silk flat on a dry towel away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Sunlight can yellow silk, and heat damages the protein fiber structure.
What Not to Do
- Don't use hot water. Heat damages silk's protein structure (fibroin), causing it to become brittle and lose its luster [S1].
- Don't rub or scrub. Silk fibers lose up to 20% of their strength when wet. Rubbing causes surface abrasion that dulls the fabric's sheen permanently.
- Don't use chlorine bleach. Bleach dissolves silk protein fibers. Even oxygen bleach should be used with extreme caution on silk.
- Don't machine wash (unless the label says so). The agitation in a washing machine can damage silk's delicate fiber structure, even on a gentle cycle.
- Don't use alkaline products. Silk is a protein fiber — alkali breaks down the peptide bonds. Always use pH-neutral products.
Why Oil Stains on Silk Are Different
Silk is fundamentally different from cotton or polyester. It's a protein fiber (fibroin) produced by silkworms, with a smooth, triangular cross-section that gives it its characteristic sheen [S1]. Oil stains on silk behave differently because the smooth fiber surface means oil sits in the spaces between fibers rather than being absorbed into them (unlike cotton's porous cellulose). This is actually good news — it means oil on silk is surface-level and removable. The challenge is that silk is fragile when wet and sensitive to heat, alkali, and friction.
Safe for Silk
Sil 1 für Alles Fleckengel
Grade 2.4Why Sil works for oil on silk: Sil's gel formula uses non-ionic surfactants that emulsify oil at low temperatures without the alkaline pH that damages silk protein fibers [S2]. The gel format is critical here — it targets the stain precisely without spreading, which matters on silk where excess moisture can leave water marks. Sil's enzyme system works effectively at 30°C, matching silk's temperature requirement.
For oil on silk specifically: Apply a thin layer of gel directly to the stain. Don't rub — let the surfactants do the work. Wait 10 minutes, then hand wash in 30°C water. For stubborn stains, apply gel twice before washing.