How to Get Oil Out of Clothes: Methods and Tips to Remove Stubborn Stains (Updated for 2025)

Knowing how to get oil out of clothes is handy, whether you’re a DIY person or a self-proclaimed home cook. Oil stains can get in the way of enjoying your favorite clothes, but luckily, there are multiple ways to get them out. Here’s what you need to know about removing those stubborn oil stains.

How to Remove Olive Oil Stains From Clothes

Different cooking oil stains are tough to remove because of their hydrophobic and water-repellent properties. They don’t dissolve in water, so regular washing is not enough to get them out. Here are some steps to get cooking oil stains out from clothes.

What You’ll Need

1. Dull knife, spoon or any scraping tool
2. Baking Soda
3. Vinegar
4. Old toothbrush
5. Liquid detergent
6. Paper towels

1. Remove Excess Oil From Fabrics

Set the garment flat and remove excess oils from the stained area with a dull knife or spoon. Oil splatters from cooking sometimes come with food particles. Get a paper towel and dab on the stained part. Removing the excess oil will make it easier to treat the affected area and prevent the oil from setting in.

2. Apply Cleaning Solution

Apply a generous amount of baking soda to the garment and coat the stain. Let the baking soda absorb the oil for 30 minutes to one hour. This step will help draw the oils out from the fabric. Use a dull knife or spoon to scrape the layer of baking soda away from the stain. Keep repeating this step until it can no longer draw out oil.

Add baking soda to the affected area and leave it overnight for large stains. Scrape off the baking soda using a dull knife or spoon and remove any particles left with an old toothbrush. Use a capful of white vinegar on the stain to agitate it. Brush the stained area again to spread the vinegar. Hopefully, these steps will mostly remove the oil stains from the garment.

3. Pour Detergent on the Fabric

If your clothes still have visible stains, pour laundry detergent on the affected area. Let the soap soak through both sides of the fabric and allow it to sit for five minutes to let the soap work on the oil stain.

4. Wash the Clothes

Check the care instructions on the garment label and wash it as necessary. Just follow the hottest water temperature advised to avoid ruining the garment. Washing the stained clothes in hot soapy water is best to agitate the oil stains.

5. Check Stained Area and Repeat if Necessary

Heated dryers may make stubborn stains more noticeable and difficult to remove. Check the affected area after washing. The stain should have lightened or be completely gone, whether small or mild. Repeat the cleaning steps until the stains are gone and air-dry.

These tips can also work if you’re wondering how to get motor oil out of clothes. However, for more stubborn, set-in motor oil stains, you may need a degreaser or stain remover spray. Just be sure to test it on a hidden area of fabric first to avoid damage. 

How to Remove Stubborn, Old Oil Stains From Clothes

Old oil stains from repeatedly washed and dried fabrics present another layer of difficulty to the equation. However, you can use some everyday household items to return your clothes to their beautiful condition.

What You’ll Need

1. Piece of cardboard
2. WD-40
3. Baking soda
4. Liquid detergent
5. Old toothbrush

1. Use WD-40 to Loosen Old Oil Stains

Take a piece of cardboard and place it behind the stained fabric. The cardboard will help protect unaffected areas and prevent the WD-40 from seeping through. Spray the WD-40 on large affected areas or use a cotton ball to dab the stain with the solvent. The ingredients in the WD-40 help loosen oils and stubborn stains in the fabric.

2. Add Baking Soda to Affected Area

Add baking soda to the affected area while it’s still damp with WD-40. The baking soda will help draw the excess oils and solvents from the fabric. Use circular motions with the old toothbrush to agitate the baking soda into the stain. Remove the baking soda as it clumps up. Keep adding baking soda until it’s clean and clump-free.

3. Apply Liquid Detergent

Add liquid detergent to the affected area after removing the leftover baking soda and WD-40 particles. Let the liquid detergent penetrate the fabric.

4. Wash as Needed

Throw the garment in the washer for a complete cycle and use warm or hot water to help dissolve the detergent and the oil stain. The hot temperature will work wonders on the affected fabric.

5. Check Stained Area and Repeat if Necessary

Remove the washed garment from the washer and check the stained area. Repeat the above steps if there are visible stains. Air-dry the washed fabric instead of putting it in the dryer to avoid any remaining oils from setting.

How to Get an Oil Stain Out After Washing the Item

Sometimes you don’t notice an oil stain until after the wash, and by then it feels like the damage is done. But don’t panic, you still have options.

It’s best to skip the dryer. If the item is already dry, the stain is harder to remove, but not always impossible. Try applying a grease-fighting dish soap or liquid laundry detergent directly to the stain and gently work it in with a soft brush. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wash the garment again on its own.

For stubborn spots, hairspray might do the trick. The alcohol in it can help break down oil and lift the mark. Spray it on the stain, let it sit for a few minutes and then blot and rinse before rewashing. 

If the stain doesn’t disappear after one try, repeat the process. Oil can be persistent, but a little patience can help. 

More Tips on How to Get Oil Stains Out of Clothes

Oil stains can be bothersome and a sore sight for many homeowners. Here are some quick tips on how to get oil out of clothes at home.

• Sprinkle cornstarch or baby powder on non-washable items and fabrics like shoes, wool, or velvet clothing. The powdery substance will help absorb oil stains and prevent them from setting in the materials.
• Inspect stained areas before putting the clothes in the dryer. A tumble dryer’s high heat can make cleaning oil stains challenging and risky.
• Like paint stains on clothes, oil stains are easier to remove when wet. Time is your friend when dealing with stubborn stains. Get them out before they dry.
• Run oil-stained areas under hot water after treating them with solutions or soap instead of soaking the whole garment. The hotter temperature helps loosen the oils and interact with detergents better.
• Consult a professional when in doubt about garment care or if other methods fail to work. Go to a trusted dry cleaner and point out the oil stain to help them address the issue correctly.
• Choose dish soap with a grease-cutting formula rather than milder liquids advertised as gentle on your hands. The more potent formulation is more effective at removing stubborn stains quickly.

Mistakes to Avoid When Getting Oil Out of Clothes

Even if you know the right steps, a few common mistakes can ruin your chances of saving a stained garment. Avoid these missteps to make sure the oil actually comes out instead of setting in.

Rubbing the Stain Too Hard

Scrubbing feels like the quickest way to make the stain disappear, but it actually does the opposite. When you rub aggressively, you push the oil deeper into the fabric and spread it out, making the stain larger and harder to treat. Always blot gently with a clean cloth or paper towel and let the cleaning products do the work.

Using Hot Water Too Soon

Hot water seems like it should help, but if you use it before pre-treating, it can lock the oil into the fibers. Think of it like cooking, the heat “bakes” the oil into the fabric. Always apply dosh soap or detergent first, then wash in the warmest water the garment’s care label allows.

Putting Clothes in the Dryer Too Early

The dryer can be your worst enemy when it comes to oil stains. Even a faint, nearly invisible mark will darken permanently if exposed to high heat. Always let clothes air-dry first, then inspect them in good lighting. If you still see a shadow of the stain, repeat the cleaning steps before drying again. 

Skipping the Absorbent Step

Baking soda, cornstarch and baby powder are lifesavers. They pull oil away from fabric fibers so detergent can do its job. Skipping this step leaves too much oil behind, making stains linger after a wash.

Waiting Too Long to Treat the Stain

Oil only gets harder to remove the longer it sits. The stain seeps deeper into the fibers and may even attract dirt, making it more noticeable. If you can’t fully wash the garment right away, at least blot the stain and cover it with an absorbent powder until you’re ready.

Using the Wrong Cleaning Products

Bleach, harsh spot removers or solvents may discolor or weaken fabric without touching the oil. Stick to grease-cutting dish soap, liquid laundry detergent or stain removers designed for clothes. These are tough enough on oil but safe for fabric.

Forgetting to Check the Care Label

Not all fabrics can handle the same treatment. For example, delicate fabrics like silk or wool need gentler methods, while cotton and polyester can take more aggressive cleaning. Ignoring the care label may lead to shrinking, fading or fabric damage.

Overloading the Washing Machine

Packing the washer too full means clothes don’t have space to move around, and the detergent can’t reach the stain properly. Always wash stained clothes with a smaller load to give them a better chance of coming clean. 

Fabric Care is Self-Care

Homeowners, home cooks and DIY enthusiasts have their favorite clothes to relax, cook and work in. Caring for these garments is essential in keeping them clean and fresh for prolonged use and enjoyment. Knowing how to get oil out of clothes is a skill every homeowner should have. Oil stains may be challenging, but getting them out is possible. All it takes is a little effort and fabric care know-how to bring clothes back to their original condition.

[Updated September 1st, 2025]