Removing oil stains from clothes can be challenging, but several effective methods and products have been recommended by users who have faced similar issues. Here are some strategies that you might find helpful:
Dish Soap Treatment
Dish soap is frequently recommended for tackling oil stains due to its grease-cutting properties. Users suggest applying dish soap directly onto the stain, letting it sit for a few minutes, and then scrubbing or rinsing before washing [2:3],
[3:3],
[4:1]. Dawn dish soap, in particular, is often highlighted as being particularly effective
[4:5],
[5:5].
Oxyclean and Other Detergents
For persistent oil stains, using oxy spray or powdered Oxyclean can be beneficial. One method involves making a paste with Oxyclean powder and water, applying it to the stain, and allowing it to sit for a few days before washing [1:1]. Lestoil and Pine Sol are also mentioned as effective options for grease stains
[5:1].
Alternative Methods
Some users have found success with other household items. Cornstarch can be used to absorb oil before treating the stain further [2:1]. Chalk has also been suggested as a potential solution
[1:5]. Additionally, borax added to the wash can help break down grease
[5:3].
Avoiding the Dryer
A critical point emphasized across discussions is to avoid putting the stained garment in the dryer until the stain is completely removed. The heat from the dryer can set the stain, making it much harder to remove [1:1],
[5:1].
Specialized Products
For those looking for commercial solutions, Spray ‘n Wash sticks have been praised for their effectiveness on various stains, including oil [5:4]. These products can be applied directly to the stain and left to work before laundering.
By trying these methods, you should be able to effectively tackle oil stains on your clothing. If one method doesn't work, consider combining approaches or repeating treatments until the stain is fully removed.
I’ve tried every Google hack. Help!
I have never tried it so don't quote me. Some say that you use the same oil that stained it and work it into the stain to make it moist again, then use a stain pre-treater before throwing it in the wash. Just what I heard.
What kind of oil? If its already washed and set in it will be pretty hopeless. If it hasn't been washed and dried yet and its food grease you can rub some dish detergent into it and rinse and repeat if necessary. Petroleum products pose a unique issue and may require chemical cleansing.
I find Dawn dish detergent works sometimes depending on the stain
Chalk worked well for me
I use oxy spray, leave it in a few days. Toss it in the wash but DO NOT put it in the dryer. The dryer will set in the oil stain, making it harder to get out. Let it air dry to see if the oil is gone. If it's not, rub the powdered oxyclean/a little drop or two of water (make a paste) into it. Let it sit for a few days, wash it again and it should be gone. The most I've ever had to put the oxyclean powder on it was 2 times.
Hey, i have few T-shirts that i ruined with cooking oil. Any tip how can i get rid of it?
Dishwashing liquid!!! Cover the stain with it, let it sit for as long as you want (the longer the better, but I’ve left it on for 1 minute before and it’s still brought stains out) and then wash in the washing machine. Literally removes all the stains I’ve tried
Well u have to say, it helped. No more oil stains on my t shirts. Thanks 🙂
I’m so glad to hear!
Ill try it now 🙂
I am in the same boat. I used goo gone to remove an adhesive stain on a shirt. It removed the adhesive sticky stuff but now, the goo gone left an oil stain on the shirt that wouldn't come out in the laundry with some dish soap. I now left corn starch on the spot for a few hours. removed it, put spot remover and baking soda. I am leaving it like this overnight. tomorrow, I'll add more dawn and vinegar. I'll leave it for a few days until it's time to do laundry again.
I’m in need of help 😭 I forgot a chapstick/lip treatment in one of my pockets before I washed a load of laundry. I only noticed after the whole process of washer and dryer when I found only the cap tucked away in the now warm dry clothes. I had essentially melted down a chapstick, washed it through my clothes and set it in. All my clothes have these little oil stains across them and I don’t know what to do. Is there a way to save them (it was a load of pretty much all my essential day to day outfits)
You could try some Lestoil followed by dish detergent, that works pretty fantastically for grease stains in my experience!
Dab a little dish soap on the oily spots and let it sit for a few minutes then scrub and rinse. Rewash if you’d like.
Pretreat with liquid dish soap or liquid laundry detergent, wash on at least warm. If you have a heavy duty cycle and/or can set a high soil level, that will help. Don’t run the items through the dryer until the spots are out.
I got oil stains on my favourite pair of greyish/black jeans and it will not come out. Ive tried the vanish grease & oil remover on them about 3x (including directly after then stain happened), i’ve tried dishwashing liquid and even makeup setting powder. They have gone through the wash multiple times too. Any suggestions? They are my absolute most comfortable and favourite jeans I have i really don’t want to throw them :(
Dawn works better than any other stuff I've tried, you can also try alcohol and paint thinner
Or dye the fav jeans a dark color if the suggested options dont get the stain out?
Wear them. "It's the blood of my enemy."
dawn. toothbrush. 24 hrs resting. wash :)
Dawn dish washing soap and hot water.
Is there any sprays or detergents that are good at getting oil out of clothes. I have a pretty big spill going pretty much down the whole right leg and theyre ruined. Any help is appreciated
I’ve heard that it helps to use dish soap, since it’s mean to break up grease. I think you can pre-treat the stain with it.
I’ve had a lot of success adding a little bit of borax to my load. I’d try the spot treatments mentioned and then wash with Borax. Another Redditor informed me that it makes the solution more basic which breaks down the grease. Good luck!!
The Spray ‘n Wash stick works wonders for me, the lady who always forgets to put on my apron before cooking or painting. It even worked on acrylic paint which I thought was impossible!
Dawn dish soap. The plain blue one. But rinse it completely before putting it in the washer.
Lestoil, Pine Sol and simple green are 3 I've used with great success. Mix some with water, apply to the stain with a gentle brushing and rinse. Repeat. Get as much out at the sink as you can. Apply a little again and launder in the hottest water that's ok for the garment. No dryer at all until the stain is completely gone. You may need to repeat, and the dryer makes it harder.
I feel like every shirt I own has some kind of stain on it and it's driving me crazy. I don't know if I'm clumsier than everyone else or if there's a trick I don't know about. Is there any way to get oil out of clothes without having to do a lot of soaking and scrubbing? I'm at my wits end. Bonus points if anyone knows how to get oil stains out of clothes that have been washed and dried already.
Blue Dawn Platinum is the best. For stubborn wash and dried stains, use some baking soda and dawn and make a paste. Put it on both sides of the fabric and scrub in with an old toothbrush. Let sit for 24 hours and then wash.
just wondering, why baking soda? i use the BDP spray and that seems to work well. what does the baking soda add?
I don't know, but it is magical. To get blood out of sheets, towels and clothes, I use baking soda, blue Dawn and hydrogen peroxide and it works wonders! My kiddos are athletes and get really muddy and bloody. I feel like I should be in the old Tide commercials!
This is the way… I may have let a few chapstick tubes go through the wash in the past and ruined entire loads of laundry 😣
We use Dawn dish soap. If it takes the oil spills of the birds in the oceans, it's good enough for me.
My mom only ever used dish soap to get stains out. Rub it in and let it sit for a while, then rinse very well before putting it in the washer.
That's what I use.
I'm definitely clumsier than most and I gave in and went old school and wear an apron when I'm cooking, cleaning, or messy crafting. I just got it this year and there are soooooo many stains on it lmao. My investment seems to have paid off. I felt silly at first but it's not like there's anyone here but the baby and hubs hates it when I get bleach stains on my clothes so he is glad for it
Old t-shirts here.
Dawn works for me. A tip is to apply it to BOTH sides of the fabric where it's stained. Let it soak. If the fabric can handle hot water, you can also pour boiling hot water through it.
Dawn dishwashing soap - the blue one
It'll work even after I've already put it through the wash?
I had washed and dried a shirt with an oil spot multiple times. Scrubbed it with some dawn dish soap and a toothbrush, then put it in the wash again, and it came out TOO clean in the spot I treated! Like more brightly colored then the rest of the shirt. I had to go over the whole shirt with dawn again to make it all the same. Now it looks fresh AF! Blue dawn has changed my life
Yes! Pour about a teaspoon of dawn on that spot, and maybe rub it with your finger a little bit (don’t scrub it don’t be rough with the fabric) wait five or so minutes and then put it in the washing machine. I would say don’t soak it too long (more than an hour.] just in case it does something to the color, but I always use dawn and rub it in a little bit and it gets the oil marks out.
I use dish soap mixed with baking soda (make a paste and let it sit on for at least 5 minutes then wash out) in clothes that went through the dryer. After I treat it with my paste I re-wash…It comes out every time.
I use one part hydrogen peroxide, two parts dawn. Works like a charm.
This. Gently work it in the stain on both sides of the shirt.
Yes! This stuff is a miracle worker. I do sometimes have to use it twice after the first wash on really stubborn stains but it always comes through. I've gotten out blood, chocolate, grease, grass, mud...and worst was years ago my husband worked in a rubber processing plant and would come home covered. Dawn is amazing!
This! Just spot clean works amazing!
Soak in Oxiclean and hot water overnight-24 hours.
Dish soap. Let it sit for a hour or two, then wash. Check before drying. Repeat as necessary
I have seen many articles about oil stain removal here and they also talk about natural remedies which you can use and these are common things you find around the house. im sure you will find something in there that will remove this stain.
Try Zout, Puracy or Tide Rescue as a pretreatment. Spray, wait an hour and wash.
If that doesn’t take it out, it’s likely a Polyquat Spot. r/laundry/s/Cvhr6neB5a has details.
WOW amazing, thank you!
You may not like me as much if it turns out to be Polyquat. I’m just a bundle of good news in that post.
I'd add a vote for dad mode stain remover. Spray thoroughly, let sit overnight, launder as normal. This is our go-to procedure for "mystery" oil stains.
I find that Modal is THE WORST at getting these oily spots. I treat the spot with a dab of laundry detergent and toss it in the wash. Then air dry and see if it’s gone. Sometimes takes a couple washes to remove it all.
Dish soap and baking soda paste
If you have talcum powder, rub some on both sides of the stain, leave it overnight and wash like normal. It's always worked for me.
thanks for all the suggestions i’ll give them a try and see what works
If you have carbona where you live, I have always had good luck with it. They make tiny bottles of laundry spot cleaner for all different kinds of stains. they have one for fat and cooking oil.
Paste made with Dawn, baking soda, a little water. Gently use toothbrush on it for a few minutes. Then let it sit for half an hour and launder normally.
Oh I know this one! Regular blue Dawn dish soap. Pour some on and rub it in a bit before washing normally.
☝🏿 this is the way.
My go to for grease stains are blue Dawn dish soap, Shout, or Biz depending on the extent of the stain. But yes start with dawn dish soap.
Lighter fluid. Zippo.
Thanks will try!
How to get an oil stain off of clothes
Here are some effective methods to remove oil stains from clothes:
Act Quickly: The sooner you treat the stain, the better your chances of removing it completely.
Blot the Stain: Use a paper towel or cloth to gently blot the stain, absorbing as much oil as possible without rubbing it in further.
Apply a Stain Remover:
Gently Rub: Use your fingers or a soft brush to gently work the soap or powder into the fabric.
Rinse with Cold Water: Rinse the stained area with cold water to remove the soap and any loosened oil.
Launder as Usual: Wash the garment according to the care label instructions. Check the stain before drying; if it remains, repeat the treatment.
Avoid Heat: Do not put the stained clothing in the dryer until the stain is completely gone, as heat can set the stain.
Recommendation: Always test any cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric first to ensure it doesn’t cause discoloration or damage. If the stain persists, consider taking the item to a professional cleaner.
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