Q&A for How to Remove Oil Stains from Paper

You can use some baking soda or cornstarch and sprinkle them directly on the stain. Let the powder sit on the stain for a few minutes, then gently brush off the powder with your fingers or a soft cloth. Check to see if the stain is gone. If it’s still there, don’t worry—you can repeat the process a couple of times until the oil is fully absorbed. If the stain is stubborn, you might also try using a clean piece of absorbent paper and a warm iron. Place the absorbent paper on top of the stain and press gently with the warm iron. The heat can help draw the oil into the absorbent paper.

You can try a simple vinegar solution to see if that does the trick. Vinegar is a natural cleaner that works like a mild bleach and can be used to clean many types of materials, including paper. Start by mixing 1⁄2 c (120 ml) of white vinegar and 1⁄2 c (120 ml) of plain water in a cup or bowl. Lay the affected piece of paper out flat on a hard, waterproof surface. Flatten it out as much as possible. You can place heavy objects on the corners to stretch it out and keep it flat and stable. Gently and carefully dab the oil stain with the moistened cotton ball or swab. Be careful not to use too much of the cleaning solution as you could damage the paper you are cleaning if it gets too wet. Then, dry the cleaned area by dabbing it with a dry paper towel and letting it air dry. Once the spot is completely dry you can see if the stain was completely removed. If there is still an oil stain, repeat the process to remove as much of it as possible

Yes! But you need to do it the right way to avoid warping or damaging the paper. White chalk is a great cleaner you can try that won't damage the paper. If you can find chalk powder this is ideal, otherwise just buy a piece of chalk. If you use a piece of chalk you will need to use a knife to shave it into a powder. Try to flatten out any folds, wrinkles, and ridges from the piece of paper. Take extra care to make sure that the part of the paper with the oil spot is as flat as possible. Then, use the paintbrush to dust the oil spot with the chalk powder. Dip your paintbrush into the powder you are using and brush it onto the oil spot. The chalk will pull some of the oil stain out of the paper. Place the paper between 2 sheets of clean white paper, warm up an iron on low heat, and place it on top of the paper for 5 seconds. Remove the iron after 5 seconds and check the oil stain, it will be lighter or possibly completely gone. Repeat the process as needed to continue to lift the stain.

The best way is to flatten it out as much as you can and weigh it down so it doesn't move around during the cleaning process. First, lay the affected piece of paper out flat on a hard, waterproof surface. Flatten it out as much as possible. Take extra care to make sure that the part of the paper with the stain or smudge is as flat as possible. You can place heavy objects on the corners to stretch it out and keep it flat and stable. Once your paper is ready, you can start cleaning it.