How to Get Rid of Oil on Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You got oil on your clothes. Maybe it was from cooking, salad dressing, or a car. The dark mark seems impossible to remove, but oil can be removed with the right products. The key is to use a surfactant (dish soap) to break down the oil and hot water to wash it away. Here’s how to get rid of oil on clothes without damage.

An oil stain on clothes is an oil-based stain caused by oil bonding with fabric fibers. Oil is hydrophobic (water-repelling), so water alone won’t remove it. Removing oil requires a surfactant (dish soap) to break down the oil, a solvent (Shout foam) to dissolve the oil, and hot water to wash it away.

To get rid of oil on clothes, apply Dawn dish soap to the stain, let it sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, rinse with warm water, apply Shout foam or OxiClean, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water, and check before drying. Don’t use cold water, don’t rub, and don’t put oil-stained clothes in the dryer.

Step-by-Step: Removing Oil from Clothes

Step 1: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap to the oil stain. Work it in gently. The surfactants break down the oil. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

Step 2: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub the oil stain with an old toothbrush. Work from the outside in.

Step 3: Rinse with Warm Water

Rinse with warm water to remove the dish soap and loosened oil.

Step 4: Apply Shout Foam

Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

Step 5: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

Step 6: Apply Baking Soda

Sprinkle Arm and Hammer Baking Soda on the stain. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Brush off.

Step 7: Wash in Hot Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water. Add half a cup of baking soda.

Step 8: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse.

Step 9: Check Before Drying

If the oil stain remains, treat again and re-wash. Don’t put oil-stained clothes in the dryer.

For Dried Oil Stains

Step 1: Scrape Off Excess

Use a dull edge to scrape off any dried oil.

Step 2: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn dish soap full strength. Let it sit for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Apply Baking Soda

Sprinkle baking soda on the stain. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Brush off.

Step 4: Apply Shout Foam

Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

Step 5: Soak in Hot Water

Soak in hot water with 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle for 30 minutes.

Step 6: Wash in Hot Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water with baking soda.

Step 7: Check Before Drying

Repeat if needed.

For Stubborn Oil Stains

Use Rubbing Alcohol

Apply rubbing alcohol to the oil stain with a cotton ball. Blot.

Use Amodex

Apply Amodex Ink and Stain Remover. Work it in, let it sit for 10 minutes, and wash.

Use WD-40

Spray WD-40 on the oil stain. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Apply dish soap. Wash in hot water.

Use Hydrogen Peroxide (For White Clothes)

Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Don’t use on colored clothes.

Use Lysol for Disinfecting

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse.

Clean the Machine Monthly

Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner monthly.

What Not to Do

Don’t use cold water. Cold water doesn’t dissolve oil. Use hot water.

Don’t rub the stain. Rubbing spreads the oil. Scrub with a toothbrush.

Don’t put oil-stained clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat sets the oil permanently.

Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored clothes. Use oxygen bleach.

Don’t use fabric softener. It coats fibers and traps the oil.

Don’t wait too long. Fresh oil stains are easier to remove.

FAQ

How do you get rid of oil on clothes? Apply Dawn dish soap for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, rinse with warm water, apply Shout foam for 10 minutes, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water, and check before drying.

Does dish soap remove oil from clothes? Yes. Dawn dish soap is the best treatment for oil stains. Apply full strength, let it sit for 15 minutes, scrub, and wash in hot water.

Does hot water remove oil from clothes? Yes. Hot water dissolves oil. Wash oil-stained clothes in hot water with Tide Free and Gentle.

Can you put oil-stained clothes in the dryer? No. Dryer heat sets the oil permanently. Air dry and check first.

Does baking soda remove oil from clothes? Yes. Sprinkle baking soda on the oil stain to absorb the oil. Let it sit for 15 minutes, brush off, and wash.

References

1. Tide. “How to Remove Oil from Clothes.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “Oil Stain Removal Guide.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Oil Stain Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. Dawn. “Oil Removal Guide.” dawn-dish.com.