How to Remove Gelcap Vitamin and Fish Oil Stains

Learn how to take gelcap vitamin stains out of clothes, carpet, and upholstery

How to Remove Vitamin and Fish Oil Gelcap Stains From Clothes

The Spruce / Alison Czinkota

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 10 - 20 mins
  • Total Time: 15 mins - 12 hrs
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0-15

A gelcap is a gelatin-coated pill capsule, often containing vitamin supplements or fish oil. The gelatin exterior allows easy swallowing, but the oily, colored interior can cause frustrating stains on clothes, carpet, and upholstery. Whether you stuck a gelcap into your pocket for later, only to find it popped, or accidentally stepped on a fallen capsule on your carpet, you can treat gelcap stains at home.

It's best to approach these stains as you would other oil-based and dye-based stains, gently and using products you likely already have in your cupboard. Never machine wash or dry fabric with an unresolved dye stain, as it can set it and make it nearly impossible to eliminate. 

Stain type  Oil-based, dye-based
Detergent type Heavy-duty
Water temperature Cold to hot
Cycle type Varies depending on the type of fabric

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • White cloth
  • Dull knife
  • Soft-bristle brush

Materials

  • Stain remover
  • Heavy duty detergent
  • Ammonia
  • Baking soda
  • Oxygen bleach
  • Cornstarch
  • Talcum powder
  • Dishwashing soap
  • Dry-cleaning solvent or carpet-cleaning product

Instructions

Overhead view of materials needed to remove vitamin gel stains

The Spruce / Almar Creative

How to Remove Gelcap Vitamin and Fish Oil Stains From Washable Clothes

Many gelcap products contain food dyes that give them a distinctive color. So, it's important to begin the removal process focused on the dye. You can use the same dye removal process for white, colored, or printed fabrics.

  1. Mix a Solution

    Mix a solution of oxygen-based bleach (recommended brands include OxiClean, Clorox 2, Country Save Oxygen Bleach, or Seventh Generation Oxygen Bleach) and cool water. Follow the package directions for how much product to use per gallon of water.

    Mixing an oxygen-based bleach solution

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  2. Submerge the Item

    Submerge the stained items and allow them to soak for at least eight hours. Once the gelcap dye stains are gone, wash the garment as you usually would. If the stain remains, mix a fresh batch of oxygen bleach solution, soak for another eight hours, and wash again.

    Submerging the garment in an oxygen bleach solution

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  3. Apply Detergent

    Apply heavy-duty detergent like Tide or Persil to the oil-stained area with a heavy-duty liquid detergent or a stain remover. Even if the dye from the gelcap is gone, the oil may linger.

    Applying detergent to the stained area

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  4. Rub the Detergent

    Rub the detergent into the stained area with your fingers or a soft-bristled brush, and let it sit for 15 minutes before washing in the hottest water temperature advised by the garment's care label. Inspect the stained area before drying and repeat the process if necessary.

    Working the detergent in with a soft bristled brush

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

Tip

If there is a strong odor from the fish oil, add one cup of baking soda to the wash cycle, or soak the garment in a solution of 1 gallon of water and 1 cup of baking soda overnight.

How to Remove Gelcap Vitamin and Fish Oil Stains From Carpet and Upholstery

If you stain your carpet or upholstery with a gelcap, you can take a few simple steps to remove the oil and dye. Use the same cleaning practices on your upholstery as on your carpet, but take care not to over-saturate cushions because excess moisture can cause mildew.

  1. Lift the Capsule

    Lift away any solid capsule parts from carpet fibers using a dull knife. Do not rub the untreated gel because it will only push the oil deeper into the carpet and make the stain more difficult to remove.

    Lifting the gel cap vitamin oil stain from the carpet

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  2. Sprinkle the Stain

    Sprinkle the stain with cornstarch, baking soda, or talcum powder to absorb the oil. Use a soft-bristled brush to work the powder into the carpet. Allow the powder to sit on the stain for 15 minutes to an hour, and then vacuum to remove the dust. 

    Sprinkling the stained area with baking soda

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  3. Blot the Stain

    Blot the stain with a dry cleaning solvent or commercial carpet cleaner using a clean white cloth or paper towel and keep blotting until no more oil is transferred from the carpet to the cloth. If you don't have commercial solvents or cleaners, mix one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent in two cups of hot water. Add one tablespoon of household ammonia to the mixture.

    Using carpet cleaner on the stained area

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  4. Cleanse With a Cloth

    Cleanse the area with a cloth dipped in tepid water to remove any soapy residue that may attract soil. Allow the area to air dry away from direct heat and then vacuum to lift the carpet fibers. You may repeat the removal steps until the stain is gone.

    Blotting the stained area

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

Remove Gelcap Vitamin and Fish Oil Stains From Clothes Naturally

There are several home remedies using common household products to remove gelcap vitamin and fish oil stains. After treating the stain, always launder in the hottest water allowable for the fabric, air dry, and check to see if the stain is gone. After inspecting the garment once dry, repeat the stain removal process if the stain persists; if the stain is gone, proceed to launder as usual,

Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Dish Soap

White vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap can work together to remove odorous and oil-based stains. Follow these tips:

  • After blotting the stain with a paper towel, apply baking soda to the stain, which allows the oil to absorb into the powder. 
  • Brush off the powder, apply white distilled vinegar, and work in with a soft-bristled brush. 
  • Pre-treat with dish soap or heavy-duty laundry detergent, allow to sit for 5 to 10 minutes, and launder as usual with hottest water possible for the fabric. 
  • Inspect the stain after air-drying the garment to see if it's gone.

Lemon Juice and Baking Soda

On white clothes, lemon juice and baking soda can fade colored gelcap vitamin stains and deodorize smelly fish oil odors. Simply:

  • Mix a solution of equal parts lemon juice, baking soda, and water and gently apply to the stain with a soft-bristled brush. 
  • Allow to sit for 30 minutes, launder with hottest water possible for the fabric, and air dry. 
  • Inspect the garment once dry to see if the stain is gone.

Borax

Borax is an effective stain remover and deodorizer. Follow these tips to tackle gelcap vitamin and fish oil stains for washable clothes:

  • Spot Stain Remover: Mix one tablespoon of borax with two tablespoons of water. Spread the paste on the stained area of the garment. Let it work for at least 30 minutes before washing in the hottest water allowable for the fabric. Inspect the stain after air-drying the garment to see if the stain is gone.
  • Neutralize Odor: To remove pungent fish oil smells, create a presoak solution of one-fourth cup of borax per gallon of water. Submerge the stinky garment and let it soak for at least 30 minutes before washing in the hottest water allowable for the fabric. Inspect the stain after air-drying the garment to see if the stain is gone.

Ammonia

Ammonia can cut through colored and stubborn oil stains on cotton, polyester, or nylon fabrics by soaking items with a solution of 2/3 cup clear ammonia, 2/3 cup dish soap, 6 tablespoons of baking soda, and 2 cups warm water. Let it soak for about 30 minutes, then launder in the hottest water allowable for the garment, air dry, and then check to see if the stain is gone.

Warning

Never use ammonia on wool or silk, never mix it with bleach, and always handle ammonia in a well-ventilated area with protective gloves.

When to Call a Professional

Do not attempt to treat or remove the stain yourself on dry clean only garments. Head to the dry cleaner and point out the stain as soon as possible. If you are using a home dry cleaning kit, be sure to treat the stain with the provided stain remover before putting the garment in the dryer bag. If the stained clothing or upholstery is vintage or silk, consult a professional.

Additional Tips for Handling Gelcap Vitamin and Fish Oil Stains

If the gelcap stain persists, repeat the cleaning steps until you see improvement. If you washed the stained garment before you removed the stain, the mark might be permanent. Even if the item isn't dry clean only, you may consult a dry cleaner for more specified advice. 

When treating clothing for stains, always check the care label on the garment and test any detergent or cleaning solution in an inconspicuous area first to ensure that it does not discolor the fabric. While most cleaning methods are gentle enough for a diverse range of fabrics, knowing an item's specific care needs will help you choose the best stain removal option.

FAQ
  • Are gelcap vitamin and fish oil stains permanent?

    As with any stain, the sooner the fresh stain can be treated, the better the chances of success for removal. Do not rub immediately. That will only push the stain deeper into the fabric fibers and make the stain harder to remove.

  • Can you get gelcap vitamin or fish oil stains out after already machine washing and drying?

    Machine washing and drying a gelcap vitamin or fish oil-stained garment before pretreating it can permanently seal the stain. But before giving up on the stained garment, it’s still possible to remove the stain by going through the stain-removal process.

  • How do you remove the smell from the fish oil stain without washing?

    Spritzing the stain with a vodka solution and hanging the garment outside to air out can freshen up the item and make odors fade without washing. Mix 1/2 cup vodka with 1 cup cool water in a spray bottle, and spritz the smelly garment. Then hang the item outside in a well-ventilated area for a few hours. The sun's ultraviolet rays help to kill bacteria, which can cause clothing to smell musty. Plus, fresh air circulation that occurs when clothes are hung outdoors helps to remove moisture and trapped odors. 


    This method can lighten dark clothes, so make sure to spot-test an inconspicuous area with the vodka solution for colorfastness. To prevent the sun from fading dark clothes, you can still aerate them by hanging them in a well-ventilated area indoors.