This article was published on January 5th, 2022

It’s a nightmare situation: You’re in the throes of passion, things get hot and heavy, and then you see it on your pillowcase or sheets—sticky spots from lube that won’t come out. It doesn’t matter how careful you are; lube seems to find its way onto your sheets and bedding. 

If you have ever had the experience of hiding a wet spot in your bedsheets, you know just how much of a pain it can be. Not only is it embarrassing, but it can also be costly. If you don’t treat a lube stain immediately, it can ruin any fabric it comes into contact with. 

However, don’t fret. Try these tips to better your chances of completely removing lube stains from your bedsheets: 

1. Use water-based lube 

Any lube that’s water-based will be easy to wash out of sheets, so it’s the best option if you don’t want to have to deal with any residue. Water-based lubricants are designed for fabrics, so they won’t stain or damage the sheets. This type of lube also evaporates quickly, which means there’s less chance of stains setting into place or creating a sticky mess. Just make sure you rinse it out thoroughly before laundering your sheets.

2. Blot excess lube with toilet paper or towel

The first step is to remove as much excess lube as possible. That means blotting with toilet paper if you’re on the go and using a towel if you have time to kill and can wash the sheets. Blotting is more effective than wiping because it moves the lube around instead of smearing it in place.

Continue blotting until the excess lube is gone. If the stain is particularly stubborn, you may need a laundry stain remover. Allow the stain remover to sit for a few minutes before washing the sheets as usual.

3. Use a hairbrush

Most people may be unaware, but a hairbrush is also effective at getting rid of lube stains. If you have a hairbrush with metal bristles, apply them to the lube stain by using the back-and-forth motion of the bristles. This should work better than using a cloth because it has more scrubbing power. If your brush is entirely made of plastic, simply use it as a scrub brush on the stain until it comes out.

4. Place a clean sheet underneath. 

One way to avoid getting lube on your sheets is to put something underneath them. By placing a piece of parchment paper under your mattress, you’re creating an extra layer between your bedding and the lubricant. This makes clean-up much more manageable and helps protect both fabrics from damage.

5. Try lubes with natural oils like coconut oil.

Besides water-based lube, you can try out other lubes made with natural oils such as coconut oil, which is proven to be a natural, preservative-free lubricant. It not only feels great, but it’s also good for your skin. Unlike some of the harsher chemicals used in other lubes, coconut oil won’t leave any nasty stains on your sheets. 

It might even help to get rid of any existing lube stains! All you need to do is apply a small amount of coconut oil to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, use a damp cloth to wipe it away, and you’re done.

6. Use ice cubes.

The fastest way to get rid of a lube stain is by putting ice cubes on it right away. The cold temperature will help it solidify and dry up, making it easier to wash off. Lube is water-based, so putting ice cubes on the stain should help it rinse away without any problem. 

Make sure you use an absorbent cloth first before putting the ice cubes down; otherwise, it might just spread out further instead of soaking up the moisture. You will have to repeat this method a few times until all the lube has been soaked up by the ice cubes.

Final thoughts

Whether you’re going solo or with a partner, make sure to take precautions before getting busy between the sheets. Lube stains can be a pain in the ass (no pun intended) and seem impossible to get out, but it’s pretty easy if you know what you’re doing. Remember these tips the next time lube gets on your bedding – because nobody wants stained sheets hanging around.