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Use these common household items to remove oil stains with ease
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Grease and vegetable, olive, avocado, coconut, and other kinds of cooking oils can leave dark stains in your clothing. Once you throw your garment in the dryer, the oil can set into the fibers, making it more difficult to get out. Luckily, all you need to remove any grease or oil stain is dish soap or a lubricant like WD-40 that separates it from the fabric fibers. Keep reading for all the best ways to remove oil and grease spots from clothing.
How to Get Oil Stains Out of Clothes
- Blot up as much oil as you can with a paper towel.
- Sprinkle baking soda or baby powder on the stain.
- Let the powder sit for 5 to 10 minutes to absorb the oil before brushing it off.
- Pour an enzyme-based laundry detergent or dish soap on the stain.
- Wash the item as usual and let it air dry to make sure the stain is gone.
Steps
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Scrape off the excess oil and blot the area with a paper towel. Use a butter knife, spoon, or old credit card to scrape off any solids or pooling grease. Blot the spot with a clean white paper towel or cloth to absorb as much oil as possible. [1] X Research source If the oil has already dried up, move on to the next step.
- Plain paper towels are best for this step—colored cloths or paper towels with printed patterns may transfer color onto your clothing.
- Optionally, pretreat the area with a prewash stain remover . [2] X Research source
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Apply baking soda and let it soak up the oil for 5 to 10 minutes, then brush it off. Use an old soft toothbrush to gently scrub the baking soda into the stain. If the baking soda clumps and turns brown, scrape it off and apply a new layer. Repeat until the baking soda no longer changes color, then brush off any leftover soda with the toothbrush. [3] X Research source- For delicate or dry-clean-only fabrics (like silk or chiffon): Use cornstarch, talcum powder , or baby powder instead of baking soda and skip the next step.
- After brushing off the baking soda, you can spray or pour white distilled vinegar directly on the stain to cut through the grease and let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes. [4] X Research source
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Saturate the area with an enzyme-based laundry detergent or dish soap. If you’re using dish soap, make sure it specifically removes grease. Apply enough of your preferred liquid soap to saturate the stain and use a cloth or your finger to rub it in gently. Let the soap sit for 5 minutes. [5] X Research source
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Wash as directed and allow the shirt to air dry. Check your clothing’s care label for specific requirements. Try to avoid putting your garment in the dryer—high heat can react with the leftover oil and cause a fire hazard or set the stain into the fabric. [6] X Research source
- Check your clothing’s care label for washing instructions.
- Add ½ to 1 cup (118 to 237 mL) of white vinegar to the wash cycle to make the detergent more effective.
- If the stain is there after washing and air-drying the garment, repeat these steps until it’s gone. If the stain remains, try the next method.
- For dry clean only items or fabrics like wool, silk, or cashmere: Bring your garment to a professional for special care.
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Put a piece of cardboard inside the garment behind the stain. Try to cut the cardboard several times larger than the stain, in case the stain spreads. The cardboard will prevent the stain from sinking into the back of your garment. [7] X Research source
- Try these steps if you’ve washed and dried your oil-stained garment or if the oil stain has been sitting in the item for a long time.
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Spray the stain with WD-40 and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes. If you have a small stain, spray the WD-40 into a small bowl, and apply it to the stain using a cotton swab. The WD-40 will help break the oil stain down and make it easier to get out. [8] X Research source
- Alternatively, apply a lemon juice and salt paste to the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour. Scrub with an old toothbrush, then rinse the garment and wash it as usual. [9] X Research source
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Use an old toothbrush to scrub baking soda into the stain. Pour baking soda over the stain in a thick layer. Work it into the fabric using a toothbrush. As you scrub, the baking soda will clump up as it absorbs the oil. [10] X Research source
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Repeat the baking soda treatment until you have no more clumps. Dust off the old, clumpy baking soda, and sprinkle on some new baking soda. Keep scrubbing, dusting, and adding new baking soda until you get no more clumps. [11] X Research source
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Pour dish soap onto the baking soda. Gently swirl the dish soap to get it into the fabric. Make sure that there is still a slick layer of dish soap. If it has completely soaked into the fabric, add a little bit more. [12] X Research source
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Wash the item and let it air dry. Hand-wash the garment or put it in the washing machine. Check to make sure the stain is gone after it dries. If the stain is still there, repeat this process until it’s gone. [13] X Research source
- Make sure the stain is completely gone before putting the item in the dryer. High heat can set the stain into the fabric, making it even more difficult to remove.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can I get dried oil out of clothes?Safir Ali is the Co-Founder and CEO of Hamper Dry Cleaning and Laundry, a startup in Houston, Texas reinventing the laundry industry. With over six years of experience launching and operating Hamper, Safir specializes in innovative ways to simplify dry cleaning using the experience from his family's business. Safir holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Texas A&M University. Hamper offers 24/7 on-demand dry cleaning and laundry through delivery and kiosk services. Hamper has been featured on the Houston Rockets, Station Houston, the Houston Business Journal, BBVA, Yahoo Finance, and Innovation Map.Try soaking the garment in warm water and a couple drops of dish soap to help break the stain down.
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QuestionWhat removes grease stains at home?Safir Ali is the Co-Founder and CEO of Hamper Dry Cleaning and Laundry, a startup in Houston, Texas reinventing the laundry industry. With over six years of experience launching and operating Hamper, Safir specializes in innovative ways to simplify dry cleaning using the experience from his family's business. Safir holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Texas A&M University. Hamper offers 24/7 on-demand dry cleaning and laundry through delivery and kiosk services. Hamper has been featured on the Houston Rockets, Station Houston, the Houston Business Journal, BBVA, Yahoo Finance, and Innovation Map.Try rubbing the stained area against itself to see if it lifts the oil or grease out of the fabric.
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QuestionCan I use cooking oil instead of WD-40?Community AnswerNo. Cooking or other types of oil are what you are trying to get out. WD-40 is a solvent and helps break down those oils.
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Tips
- Although chalk is sometimes listed as a method for removing grease, it’s much less effective than soap or baking soda. [18] X Research sourceThanks
- Try to blot the oil stain first with a paper towel and avoid rubbing or scrubbing the area, or you could set the stain deeper.Thanks
- Try to act fast. The sooner you try to get the stain out, the easier it will be to clean.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Sprinkle some salt on the grease stain and leave it for five minutes. Brush it off, then repeat 3 times. It should soak up the stain.
- Place a piece of cardboard behind the stain as you work to help keep it from transferring to the back of the garment.
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Warnings
- Dish soap can fade color from freshly dyed or brand-new fabric. [19] X Research source Check the garment for color-fastness before using dish soap.Thanks
- The heat from a dryer can set oil stains. Always make sure that the stain is completely gone before you toss the garment into the dryer. If you don't do this, the dryer will set the stain into the fabric.Thanks
- Not all fabrics can handle hot water, and not all fabrics can be washed. Always read the care tag inside the garment and follow the instructions.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/food/how-to/how-to-get-oil-stains-out-of-clothes
- ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes/stain-removal-guide
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/best-way-to-get-grease-stains-out-of-clothing-23088967
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-get-oil-out-of-clothes/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-get-oil-out-of-clothes/
- ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/food/how-to/how-to-get-oil-stains-out-of-clothes
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-get-oil-out-of-clothes-36741448
- ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/food/how-to/how-to-get-oil-stains-out-of-clothes
- ↑ https://www.homesandgardens.com/life-design/how-to-get-oil-stains-out-of-clothes
- ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/how-to-get-oil-stains-out-of-clothes
- ↑ https://youtu.be/cyJMxXtMz5g?t=225
- ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/how-to-get-oil-stains-out-of-clothes
- ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/food/how-to/how-to-get-oil-stains-out-of-clothes
- ↑ https://www.today.com/home/how-remove-oil-grease-t106094
- ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/stain-removal/how-to-remove-oil-stains
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry/how-to-remove-grease-stains-from-clothes.html
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/best-way-to-get-grease-stains-out-of-clothing-23088967
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/best-way-to-get-grease-stains-out-of-clothing-23088967
- ↑ https://www.homesandgardens.com/kitchens/can-i-use-dish-soap-to-clean-clothes
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To get a fresh cooking oil stain out of your clothing, first blot the excess oil away with a dry cloth or napkin. Then, apply a few drops of liquid dishwashing detergent to loosen the oil stain, and rub it in gently. After 5 minutes, rinse the soap and oil off with warm water. Then, wash your clothing in the washing machine with hot water and laundry detergent. Let the item air-dry and check if the stain was successfully removed. If it’s gone, you're done! Otherwise, liberally apply baking soda or cornstach to the stain to absorb the remaining oil. After an hour, scrub the baking soda away with an old toothbrush. If oil is still present, add baking soda and let the item sit again. Once the oil is gone, put a thin layer of dish soap on the fabric and wash it in the washing machine. After your clothes air-dry, they should be clean and oil-free! Read on for advice on how to remove stains from wool sweaters and dry-clean-only fabrics!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I got olive oil on regular fabric and this worked! I poured baking soda over it, waited an hour, then poured regular dish washing soap over it, then scrubbed it with a toothbrush. I then put it in the washing machine and it came out clean! Thank you!" ..." more
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"I got olive oil on regular fabric and this worked! I poured baking soda over it, waited an hour, then poured regular dish washing soap over it, then scrubbed it with a toothbrush. I then put it in the washing machine and it came out clean! Thank you!"
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"Followed the instructions to the letter on a pair of shorts which had an olive oil splat on them. This was noticed after they had been through the washing machine. It worked--an absolute treat! And the splat has now completely gone, thank you."
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"The important thing for me was the different ways to remove one stain. Also you gave step-by-step how to's if something did not work. Any questions I might have were covered very thoroughly. I should never have a stain I can't get out again."
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"I knew the baby powder and an absorbent substance but I wasn't sure what to do next. Thanks for the dish soap idea! I knew the toothbrush idea. I used it for all kinds of stains and I also used a nail cleaning brush! Thanks!"
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"Recently, a neighbor asked my advice on removing oil from her garment. I have struggled with the same issue for years. Your article will be a huge help for both of us!"
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