Oil stains can be one of the most stubborn stains to get out of any type of material, especially a piece of paper. If you managed to get an oil spot on an important paper document that you can’t replace, it’s important to act fast. The sooner you start working to remove the oil, the better your chances are of leaving the paper oil-spotless. Either way, with just a little chalk or vinegar and a delicate touch, you will be able to at least reduce the visibility of the oil stain!

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Cleaning with a Vinegar Solution

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  1. Combine 1 2   c (120 ml) of white vinegar and 1 2   c (120 ml) of plain water in a cup or bowl. Set your solution aside for now until you are ready to clean. [1]
    • Vinegar is a natural cleaner that works like a mild bleach and can be used to clean many types of materials.
  2. 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. [2]
    • Remember that the sooner you start working on the oil stain, the easier it will be to remove.
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  3. 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. [3]
    • If the oil spot looks like it is getting too wet, dab it dry with a paper towel or let it air dry so that you don’t create a hole in the paper.
    • Keep dabbing rather than letting the vinegar soak in, until the stain appears to be lifted, then you can dry the area.
  4. 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. [4]
    • Keep in mind that this method will work better the fresher the stain is, older stains may not come out completely but you can reduce their visibility. [5]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using White Chalk

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  1. 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.
    • The paintbrush should be soft-bristled and of an appropriate size to dust the oil spot you want to remove with the chalk powder.
    • White chalk powder works well to absorb grease and oil.
  2. 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.
    • It’s important to start working to remove an oil stain from paper as soon as possible so that it doesn’t have time to completely dry and set.
  3. 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.
  4. Be careful as you move the paper and try not to disturb the chalk on top of the oil spot. If you knock any of the powder off of the oil stain, lift up the top piece of paper and carefully brush some more of the chalk onto the spot.
    • You can lay one piece of clean paper next to the paper you are cleaning, slide it carefully over, and then lay another clean sheet on top.
  5. Make sure it is covering the oil spot. 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.
    • Test the warm iron on a blank piece of paper first to make sure that it does not burn so that you don’t destroy the piece of paper you are trying to save. If it is too hot, lower the setting and test it again.
    • Depending on how set-in the stain is, this method may not completely remove it, but it will get rid of some of it.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Are there any other ways to remove oil stains on paper?
    Raymond Chiu
    House Cleaning Professional
    Raymond Chiu is the owner of Maid Sailors Cleaning Service, offering affordable residential and office cleaning services. Since its founding in 2014 in New York City, Maid Sailors has expanded to several cities, including Boston, Chicago, and Austin. The company has earned a reputation as one of the most reliable and best cleaning services in the industry.
    House Cleaning Professional
    Expert Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How do you remove oil stains from paper?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    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
  • Question
    Can you clean paper?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    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.
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      Article Summary X

      Oil stains on paper can be really stubborn, but you can try removing them by using a vinegar cleaning solution. Start by mixing your solution out of equal parts water and white vinegar. Then, lay out your piece of paper on a waterproof surface, like a countertop. Weigh down the corners with heavy objects, such as cups, to hold it in place. When you’re ready to start cleaning, dampen a cotton ball or swab with the cleaning solution and gently dab it onto the stained area. After you’ve removed the stain, dry the area by dabbing it with a paper towel before leaving it to air dry. You can also use white chalk powder to remove the stain. Just dab it onto the stained area with a paintbrush, then place the stained piece of paper between 2 blank pieces of paper. Finally, hold a hot iron over the stain to remove it. For tips on how much solution to use when you're cleaning a stain, keep reading!

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