How to Clean Oil Stains with Baking Soda: Clothes, Concrete & More

Whether you spilled cooking grease on your favorite shirt or you had an automotive mishap in your driveway, oil spills and stains can be a bit tricky to clean up. In these trying times, baking soda is a surprisingly simple and inexpensive cleanup solution—and you probably already have it on hand! Keep reading to learn how to use this pantry staple to absorb and lift oil stains from nearly anything in your home, with super helpful tips for when and how to use it from house cleaning expert Susan Stocker.

How to Use Baking Soda for Oil Stains: Quick Tips

Clothes : Sprinkle baking soda on the stain, let it sit overnight, then finish cleaning it with dish soap.
Driveway : Sprinkle baking soda on the spill to absorb the excess oil, then scrub the stain with a baking soda and water paste.
Carpet : Leave baking soda on the stain overnight, then vacuum or sweep up the mess.

To Remove Oil Stains from Clothes

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Cover a fresh oil stain with baking soda and let it sit overnight. First, says Stocker, use a cloth or paper towel to blot up as much of the extra oil as you can. Then generously sprinkle baking soda onto the stain. Let it sit overnight so the baking soda can absorb the oil, then brush away the powder the next morning. ^{[1]
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Expert Source

Susan Stocker
Professional Cleaner

Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.} After that, spritz the fabric with a 1:1 mixture of water and vinegar and let it sit for about 30 minutes, then gently scrub the spot with dish soap and a toothbrush until it's gone. ^{[2]
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- You don't have to pile up the baking soda, but do make sure that it covers the stain completely so you can't see the fabric beneath.
- Avoid rinsing the oil spot before trying to clean it. The water will form a coating around the oil and make it harder to remove.
- Once the stain is gone, blot away the soap with a damp cloth, or toss the item into the washing machine if it's washable.
- Do you have your own quick and dirty tips for removing grease stains from clothes? Share them at our "How do I get grease stains out of my clothes?" forum !
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Attack stubborn oil stains with baking soda and a laundry pre-treater. Squirt a laundry stain pre-treater (like Shout) onto a set-in oil stain (i.e., an oil stain that's been sitting for a few hours), then sprinkle 1 tsp of baking soda on top of it. Rub the baking soda into the pre-treater with a toothbrush until it makes a paste, and then sprinkle on another layer of baking soda. Let the mixture sit overnight (or for at least 12 hours) before washing it on a normal cycle. ^{[3]
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- If the stain is still there after you finish washing the garment, repeat the whole process until it's gone.
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Clean dried oil stains with dish soap and an enzyme-based detergent. Baking soda works by absorbing and breaking down the oil before it fully sets into fabric fibers. Once the oil stain is dried, especially if you put it in the dryer, baking soda won't work as well – but liquid dish soap and an enzyme-based laundry detergent may be able to remedy the problem! Enzyme-based detergents break down tough oil and grease stains. ^{[4]
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- To clean dried oil stains off your clothes, squeeze a few drops of dish soap onto the stain, let it absorb for a few seconds, then rub it in with your fingers or a soft bristle brush (like a toothbrush).
- Leave the dish soap to sit for another 5 minutes, then toss it in the washer with enzyme-based laundry detergent and wash it on the hottest temperature your clothes can withstand.

To Get Oil Stains Off a Driveway

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You might have heard of people using kitty litter or sawdust to absorb motor oil from their driveway. Well, baking soda works the same way! Stocker says to "pop on baking soda" right after a spill, so you can "soak it up as soon as possible." ^{[5]
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Expert Source

Susan Stocker
Professional Cleaner

Expert Interview. 28 February 2023.} After the oil is absorbed, rinse it off with water. ^{[6]
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Wet the stain thoroughly with water, then mix baking soda and water together in a cup or bowl until they form a paste. Spread the paste on the stain and scrub it with a stiff-bristle brush, then rinse the whole area clean with fresh water. ^{[7]
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To Clean Oil Stains Out of Carpet

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Sprinkle the stain with baking soda and let it sit overnight. If the stain is fresh, blot up as much excess oil as possible with a paper towel before you start treating the area. Then, after leaving a generous layer of baking soda on the stain overnight (or for at least 12 hours), vacuum the carpet thoroughly. ^{[8]
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- If the oil stain is still visible after following the steps above, try blotting it with a couple of drops of dish soap and a damp towel or sponge. Then rinse the area by pressing a warm, damp towel against it. Dry it with another towel, sprinkle more baking soda, and let it sit overnight again. The next day, vacuum the baking soda up like you did before.
- There is a chance the baking soda might clog your vacuum filter, and it could even find its way into the motor, damaging the machine . ^{[9]
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Using Baking Soda to Clean Up Oil Spills

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The baking soda will break up the remaining oil and make cleaning it up easier. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes, then vacuum it or wipe it up with paper towels. Remove any remaining oily residue by gently rubbing the area with liquid dish soap and water and a damp cloth or sponge. ^{[10]
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Yes, you can use baking soda and laundry detergent in the same wash! Baking soda can make your clothes look brighter and smell fresher. Just add about ½ c (4 oz) to your washing machine, then add in the clothes and laundry detergent and wash as usual. ^{[11]
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Research source} However, if you're trying to remove oil from your clothes, it's most effective to treat the stain with plain baking soda first before the wash.
It won't damage the color, but its pH is harsh on delicate fabrics. Baking soda is generally pretty safe to use on most fabrics, and Stocker says it's a great addition to your laundry if you want to brighten your clothes and remove odors. ^{[12]
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Expert Source

Susan Stocker
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.} However, baking soda has a high pH, meaning it's alkaline, so it can damage natural fibers like wool or silk. ^{[13]
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Not most carpets, but it could damage the floor underneath. Be sure not to pile up the baking soda on your carpet—a thin layer is plenty. If you use too much, it could accumulate on the floor underneath, and since it's slightly abrasive, it could damage that flooring. ^{[14]
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How Do You Remove Oil Stains From a Driveway?

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How does baking soda impact stains?

Susan Stocker
Stain Removal Specialist
Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.

Susan Stocker

Stain Removal Specialist

Expert Answer

On its own, baking soda will only absorb odors. You'll need to add water to the baking soda and scrub the stain to see any benefit in terms of removing the stain.

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How long should baking soda sit on oil?

Susan Stocker
Stain Removal Specialist
Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.

Susan Stocker

Stain Removal Specialist

Expert Answer

Leave it sitting on the oil overnight so it has time to soak it up. Then, you can remove the baking soda.

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Wouldn't this lighten clothes of color? Also, I do notice that most examples are white. Why?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Just using baking soda won't lighten clothes. However, if you combine baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, it could lighten some fabrics.

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Use baking soda to absorb oil spills of all kinds, whether they're made in the kitchen while you're cooking or outside when you're working on your car.

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Warnings

Some people claim baking soda clogs and ruins vacuum cleaners. Make sure your vacuum has a canister before you use it to clean up a pile of baking soda. ^{[15]
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Susan Stocker
Professional Cleaner

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How to Clean Oil Stains with Baking Soda: Clothes, Concrete & More

How to Use Baking Soda for Oil Stains: Quick Tips

Steps

To Remove Oil Stains from Clothes

To Get Oil Stains Off a Driveway

To Clean Oil Stains Out of Carpet

Using Baking Soda to Clean Up Oil Spills

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Do You Remove Oil Stains From a Driveway?

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

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