How to Get Motor Oil Stains Out of Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric
How to Get Motor Oil Stains Out of Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric
You got motor oil on your clothes. Maybe you were working on a car, motorcycle, or bicycle. The dark, heavy stain seems impossible to remove. Motor oil is one of the toughest stains, but it can be removed from most washable fabrics with the right approach. Here’s how to get motor oil stains out of clothes without damage.
Motor oil on clothes is a heavy petroleum-based oil stain that bonds strongly with fabric fibers. Motor oil is thicker and more persistent than cooking oil. Removing motor oil requires a strong surfactant (dish soap), an absorbent (baking soda), and hot water. For very stubborn stains, WD-40 can reactivate the oil for easier removal.
To get motor oil out of clothes, apply baking soda to absorb oil, apply Dawn dish soap full strength and let it sit for 30 minutes, apply Shout foam and let it sit for 15 minutes, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in the hottest water safe for the fabric, and check before drying. For very stubborn stains, use WD-40. Don’t use cold water, don’t rub, and don’t put motor-oil-stained clothes in the dryer.
Step-by-Step: Removing Motor Oil from Clothes
Step 1: Apply Baking Soda
Sprinkle Arm and Hammer Baking Soda on the stain. Let it sit for 10 minutes to absorb excess oil. Brush off.
Step 2: Apply Dish Soap Full Strength
Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap directly to the stain. Use more than you would for a food stain. Work it in gently with your fingers or a soft brush. The surfactants in dish soap break down the petroleum oil.
Step 3: Let It Sit for 30 Minutes
Motor oil is heavier than cooking oil and needs more time to break down.
Step 4: Apply Shout Foam
Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam to the stain. The solvents in Shout foam break down heavy petroleum oil. Let it sit for 15 minutes.
Step 5: Wash in Hot Water
Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Check the care label for the maximum safe temperature. Add baking soda for extra cleaning.
Step 6: Check Before Drying
Check the stain before putting the clothes in the dryer. If the stain remains, treat again and re-wash. Don’t put motor-oil-stained clothes in the dryer.
For Very Stubborn Motor Oil Stains
Use WD-40 Method
Step 1: Apply WD-40. Spray a small amount on the stain. The WD-40 reactivates the motor oil, making it easier to remove.
Step 2: Let it sit for 5 minutes.
Step 3: Apply dish soap. Apply Dawn dish soap to break down the WD-40 and the motor oil. Work it in.
Step 4: Let it sit for 15 minutes.
Step 5: Apply Shout foam. Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam.
Step 6: Let it sit for 15 minutes.
Step 7: Wash in hot water. Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
Step 8: Check before drying. Repeat if needed.
Note: Test WD-40 on a hidden area first. Don’t use on delicate fabrics like silk or wool.
Use OxiClean Method
Step 1: Apply dish soap. Apply Dawn dish soap and let it sit for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Spray with OxiClean. Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let it sit for 15 minutes.
Step 3: Wash in hot water. Wash with Tide Free and Gentle and 1 scoop of oxygen bleach.
Step 4: Check before drying.
Motor Oil on Different Fabrics
| Fabric | Best Treatment | Water Temp | What to Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton (work clothes) | Dish soap + Shout + WD-40 | Hot | Cold water |
| Denim (jeans) | Dish soap + Shout + baking soda | Hot | Cold water |
| Polyester (uniforms) | Dish soap + OxiClean | Warm | Hot water on synthetics |
| Canvas (jackets) | Dish soap + Shout + WD-40 | Hot | Cold water |
| Silk | Professional cleaning | N/A | All home treatments |
| Wool | Professional cleaning | N/A | All home treatments |
What Not to Do
Don’t use cold water. Cold water doesn’t dissolve motor oil. Use the hottest water safe for the fabric.
Don’t rub the stain. Rubbing spreads the oil and damages fibers. Press gently or scrub with a soft brush.
Don’t put motor-oil-stained clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat sets motor oil permanently. Always air dry and check first.
Don’t use chlorine bleach on colors. Chlorine bleach strips color. Use oxygen bleach instead.
Don’t use fabric softener. It coats fibers and traps the oil.
Don’t give up after one treatment. Motor oil is heavy and may need 2 to 3 treatments to fully remove.
Don’t wash motor-oil-stained clothes with other clothes. The oil can transfer to other items. Wash separately.
FAQ
How do you get motor oil out of clothes? Apply baking soda to absorb oil, apply Dawn dish soap full strength and let it sit for 30 minutes, apply Shout foam and let it sit for 15 minutes, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in the hottest water safe for the fabric, and check before drying. For very stubborn stains, use WD-40.
Does dish soap remove motor oil from clothes? Yes. Dawn dish soap contains strong surfactants that break down petroleum oil. Apply it full strength to the stain, let it sit for 30 minutes, and wash in hot water. For heavy motor oil, also use Shout foam.
Does WD-40 remove motor oil from clothes? Yes. WD-40 reactivates dried motor oil, making it easier to remove. Spray a small amount on the stain, let it sit for 5 minutes, apply dish soap to break down the WD-40 and the oil, and wash in hot water. Test on a hidden area first.
Can you put motor-oil-stained clothes in the dryer? Don’t put motor-oil-stained clothes in the dryer until the stain is completely gone. Dryer heat sets motor oil permanently. Always air dry and check first.
Should you wash motor-oil-stained clothes separately? Yes. Motor oil can transfer to other clothes in the wash. Wash motor-oil-stained clothes separately to prevent cross-contamination.
References
- Tide. “How to Remove Motor Oil from Clothes.” tide.com.
- The Spruce. “Motor Oil Stain Removal.” thespruce.com.
- Good Housekeeping. “Oil Stain Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
- Dawn. “Heavy Duty Stain Guide.” dawn.com.
