How to Get Oil Stains Out of Jeans Without Damaging the Fabric

You got oil on your jeans. Maybe it was from cooking, a car, or food. The dark stain seems impossible to remove, but denim is a tough fabric that can handle strong stain removal methods. Oil stains can be removed from jeans with the right products. Here’s how to get oil stains out of jeans without damage.

An oil stain on jeans is an oil-based stain caused by oil bonding with denim fibers. Denim is a durable cotton twill fabric that can handle scrubbing and hot water. Oil is hydrophobic (water-repelling), so water alone won’t remove it. Removing oil from jeans requires a surfactant (dish soap) to break down the oil and hot water to wash it away.

To get oil stains out of jeans, apply Dawn dish soap to the stain, let it sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, rinse with warm water, apply Shout foam, 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 jeans in the dryer.

Step-by-Step: Removing Oil Stains from Jeans

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. Denim is tough enough to handle firm scrubbing. 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 jeans in the dryer.

For Dried Oil Stains on Jeans

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. 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 on Jeans

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 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 jeans in the dryer. Dryer heat sets the oil permanently.

Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored denim. 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 oil stains out of jeans? 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 jeans? Yes. Dawn dish soap is the best treatment for oil stains on jeans. Apply full strength, let it sit for 15 minutes, scrub, and wash in hot water.

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

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

Does baking soda remove oil from jeans? 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 Jeans.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “Oil Stain Removal Guide.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Oil Stain Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. Levi’s. “Jeans Care Guide.” levi.com.