How to Take Off Oil Stains from Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You got oil on your clothes. Maybe it was from cooking, a car, or a salad dressing. The dark stain seems impossible to remove, but oil stains can be removed with the right products and method. 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 take off oil stains from 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 take off oil stains from clothes, apply Dawn dish soap to the stain, let it sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, rinse with warm water, spray with OxiClean or Shout foam, let it sit for 10 minutes, 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 Stains

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 to prevent spreading.

Step 3: Rinse with Warm Water

Rinse with warm water to remove the dish soap and loosened oil. Don’t use cold water.

Step 4: Apply Shout Foam

Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam to the stain. The solvents dissolve the oil. 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 to absorb any remaining oil. 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. Work it in. Let it sit for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Apply Baking Soda

Sprinkle baking soda on the stain to absorb the oil. 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. Add baking soda.

Step 7: Check Before Drying

If the oil stain remains, treat again and re-wash.

For Stubborn Oil Stains

Use Rubbing Alcohol

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

Use Amodex

For oil stains that leave a persistent mark, 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 to break down the WD-40 and the oil. Wash in hot water.

Use Hydrogen Peroxide (For White Clothes)

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

Use Lysol for Disinfecting

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse for heavily soiled loads.

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 for washing and warm water for rinsing.

Don’t rub the stain. Rubbing spreads the oil. Press gently and 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 much easier to remove.

Don’t give up after one treatment. Oil stains may need 2 to 3 treatments.

FAQ

How do you take off oil stains from 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 stains 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 stains from clothes? Yes. Hot water dissolves oil. Wash oil-stained clothes in hot water with Tide Free and Gentle. Don’t use cold water.

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 stains 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.