How to Get Oil Stains Out of Clothes After Drying Without Damaging the Fabric

You have oil stains on clothes after they’ve been dried and want to remove them. Maybe you didn’t notice the stain before putting clothes in the dryer, or the stain survived the wash and the dryer set it. Oil stains that have been through the dryer are the hardest to remove, but they can still be treated. Here’s how to get oil stains out of clothes after drying without damaging the fabric.

Oil stains after drying are oil-based stains that have been set by the heat of the dryer. The dryer heat bakes the oil into the fabric fibers, making it harder to remove. The key to removing oil stains after drying is re-liquefying the oil (WD-40 or warm water), breaking it down with a surfactant (Dawn dish soap), and lifting it with OxiClean and baking soda.

To get oil stains out of clothes after drying, apply WD-40 to re-liquefy the oil, let sit for 15 minutes, apply Dawn dish soap to break down the oil and WD-40, scrub with a toothbrush, apply baking soda paste, apply OxiClean, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying again. Don’t use cold water, don’t rub, and don’t put the clothes in the dryer again until the stain is gone.

Step-by-Step: Removing Oil Stains After Drying

Step 1: Apply WD-40

Apply WD-40 to the dried oil stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. The WD-40 re-liquefies the oil that was set by the dryer, making it easier to remove. Don’t use on delicates or fabrics that might be damaged by solvents.

Step 2: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap directly to the stain. Work it in gently. Dawn breaks down both the WD-40 and the oil. Let sit for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub the stain with an old toothbrush. Work from the outside in. The scrubbing helps the dish soap penetrate the set in oil.

Step 4: Apply Baking Soda Paste

Make a paste of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda and water. Apply to the stain. Let sit for 30 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush. Baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive to lift the oil.

Step 5: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let sit for 15 minutes. OxiClean breaks down the remaining oil.

Step 6: Apply Shout Foam

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

Step 7: Wash in Warm Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Add half a cup of baking soda and 1 scoop of OxiClean to the wash.

Step 8: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser for the rinse.

Step 9: Check Before Drying

Check that the oil stain is gone before putting clothes in the dryer. If it remains, treat again and re-wash. Don’t put oil-stained clothes in the dryer again.

Step 10: Air Dry

Air dry the clothes. Don’t use the dryer until you’re sure the stain is gone.

Alternative Methods (Without WD-40)

Use Rubbing Alcohol

Apply rubbing alcohol to the stain with a cotton ball. Let sit for 15 minutes. The alcohol helps dissolve the set in oil. Blot with a clean cloth. Then apply Dawn dish soap and wash.

Use Cornstarch or Baby Powder

Sprinkle cornstarch or baby powder on the stain. Let sit for 30 minutes. The powder absorbs the oil. Brush off and reapply if needed. Then apply Dawn dish soap and wash.

Use Hot Water and Dish Soap

For sturdy fabrics, apply Dawn dish soap to the stain and pour hot water through it from a height. The hot water helps dissolve the set in oil. Don’t use on delicates or colored clothes that might fade.

Use Oxygen Bleach Soak

Soak the stained clothes in a solution of OxiClean and warm water for 2 to 6 hours before washing. This gives the oxygen bleach more time to break down the oil.

Additional Products

Use Amodex for Ink Mixed with Oil

If the oil stain has ink mixed in, use Amodex Ink and Stain Remover.

Use Lysol for Disinfecting

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse.

Clean the Machine After

Clean the washer with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner.

Repeat the Process

Oil stains after drying may need 2 to 4 treatments. Be patient and repeat the process until the stain is gone.

Oil Stain Removal After Drying by Fabric Type

Fabric Type	Best Treatment	Water Temp	Notes
White cotton	WD-40, Dawn, OxiClean, hot water	Hot	Can use hot water
Colored cotton	WD-40, Dawn, OxiClean	Warm	Don’t use hot water
Polyester	Dawn, OxiClean, rubbing alcohol	Warm	Gentler scrubbing
Denim	Dawn, OxiClean, baking soda	Cold to warm	Wash inside out
Delicates	Dawn, gentle blotting	Cold	Don’t use WD-40, don’t scrub

How to Prevent Oil Stains from Setting in the Dryer

Check Clothes Before Drying

Always check clothes for oil stains before putting them in the dryer. Dryer heat sets oil permanently.

Treat Oil Stains Before Washing

Pre-treat oil stains with Dawn dish soap before washing. Let sit for 15 minutes before washing.

Air Dry Stained Clothes

If you’re not sure if an oil stain is gone, air dry instead of using the dryer. Air drying doesn’t set stains.

Check After Washing

Check clothes for stains after washing and before drying. If a stain remains, treat again before drying.

Use the Right Products

Use Dawn dish soap for fresh oil stains, OxiClean for tough stains, and Tide Free and Gentle for washing. These products remove oil effectively.

What Not to Do

Don’t use cold water for oil stains. Cold water doesn’t dissolve oil. Use warm water.

Don’t rub the stain. Rubbing spreads the oil. Scrape and scrub with a toothbrush.

Don’t put oil-stained clothes in the dryer again. Dryer heat sets oil permanently. Air dry and check first.

Don’t use WD-40 on delicates. WD-40 can damage delicate fabrics. Use on sturdy fabrics only.

Don’t use chlorine bleach on oil stains. Chlorine bleach doesn’t remove oil and can damage fabric. Use oxygen bleach (OxiClean).

Don’t give up after one treatment. Oil stains after drying may need 2 to 4 treatments. Be patient and repeat.

FAQ

How do you get oil stains out of clothes after drying? Apply WD-40 to re-liquefy the oil, let sit for 15 minutes, apply Dawn dish soap to break down the oil and WD-40, scrub with a toothbrush, apply baking soda paste, apply OxiClean, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying again.

Can you remove oil stains after the dryer? Yes, but it’s harder. Use WD-40 to re-liquefy the oil, Dawn dish soap to break it down, baking soda to absorb it, and OxiClean to remove the remaining stain. Wash in warm water and air dry. Repeat if needed.

Does WD-40 remove oil stains after drying? Yes. WD-40 re-liquefies oil that was set by the dryer, making it easier to remove. Apply to the stain, let sit for 15 minutes, apply Dawn dish soap to remove the WD-40 and oil, and wash.

What removes oil stains from clothes after drying? WD-40, Dawn dish soap, baking soda, and OxiClean remove oil stains from clothes after drying. For stubborn stains, repeat the process 2 to 4 times.

Can you put oil-stained clothes in the dryer again? No. Dryer heat sets oil permanently. Air dry and check first. If the stain remains, treat again and re-wash.

References

1. Tide. “Oil Stain Removal Guide.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “How to Remove Oil Stains After Drying.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Oil Stain Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. OxiClean. “Stain Removal Guide.” oxiclean.com.