How to get oil stains out of clothes

Fret not! How to get oil stains out of your clothes will not be a challenge. Though, it’s frustrating how these stains either from grease or oil lay innocently on our clothes.

Either from fixing your car, preparing a meal, a splash of oil from frying, or even munching your favourite lunch snack. Well, without an apron or bib.

The good news is you can still save your favourite shirts if these stains are being attended to in time. More so, this success solely depends on fabric, colour and your approach to eliminating it.


However, an efficient method how to get out grease stains from clothes is to attend to them immediately. If not, the stain sits and darkens the fabric.

And if allowed to dry, it will either be tough to get rid of or ruin the clothes. Furthermore, effective removal of these stains can be achieved using the right cleaning products and techniques.

What You Need To Get These Stains Out.

  • Paper towel
  • Dishwasher
  • Detergent
  • Hot water
  • Spot remover
  • Talc powder
  • Vinegar
  • Toothbrush

How To Get Oil Out Of Clothes

Oil stain on white clothes

Method 1: Use Of Detergent or Dish Washer

Step 1: Here, any detergent can solve but a grease-fighting detergent should be suitable. However, in situations where you cannot access detergents or dishwashers, laundry bar soaps or shampoo should serve.

Note that;
If it is oil or margarine stain, you should mix the dishwasher with warm water, then add a few drops of detergent, then sit the fabric in it for 5 minutes after which you scrub the stained part gently.

If the detergent you have is coloured, dilute first before use to avoid it staining your clothes.
However, if that stain looks stubborn, after washing. Get your toothbrush and scrub. Toothbrushes are tougher, it will help get rid of them.

Step 2: Allow foam or bubbles from detergents to get into the fabric. Using a well foamy detergent is important. This is because foams break through these materials to attack both grease and oil.

Step 3: Rinse the affected area. Get to rinse the affected area with water after scrubbing. Alternatively, if you have vinegar, rinse using it. Nonetheless, it is advised that vinegar should not be used alongside soap or any detergent due to its ingredients.

Step 4: Go over the above steps if you can still find stains on the fabric. If not, move to step 5.

Step 5: Wash Again Using Laundry Detergent
Get to wash your fabric again using a laundry detergent but you should clothing washing instructions. After now, rinse the clothes and air dry. Do not dry such fabric under concentrated sunlight or a dryer. This is because extreme sunlight would cause grease remains to sit on fabric permanently.

See These Contents Below For More Information On Home Cleaning


Method 2: Use Of Talc Powder or Its Alternatives.

Step 1: Here, blot away excess grease using a paper towel. Using this paper towel, try to remove as much oil as possible before heading to the next step.

Step 2: Cover the affected area using talc powder or its alternatives like cornstarch or salt.

Step 3: Clear the absorbent, talc powder from the affected part carefully using a spoon or a paper towel. Be careful enough while clearing to avoid it spilling to other parts of your fabric.

Step 4: Now, pour in a little amount of dishwasher detergent. A little amount of detergent and water in the affected part is enough. Then, rub with your thumb till it begins to foam. After which you can start scrubbing that area in a circular motion using a toothbrush. Note to scrub out stains from your clothes from both sides.

Step 5: Finally, wash the clothes alone using detergent. After washing the linen, rise in clear water then set out to air dry.

Method 3: Use Of Spot Remover And Hot Water

Step 1: Get spot remover from a grocery store. Spray the spot remover generously on the affected part, then scrub with a toothbrush.

Step 2: Get water boiling in a kettle
While you allow the spot remover to sit into the fabric, place water to a rolling boil.

Step 3: Pour the hot water into the affected area from a distance.
Once the hot water is ready, take it out of the burner and pour it directly into the stain.

However, remember to;
Place the clothes into a wash basin. Do not allow it to touch the floor to avoid a splash of hot water on the ground that will get to you.

Make sure to lift up the kettle or pot as high as possible because;
The very hot water when sent into the fabric forcefully helps break oil-oil bonds.
The high positioning of the kettle into the clothing help remove the stains efficiently.
Be careful of splatter. You are using very hot water.

Step 4: Repeat the steps again.
If after these step above and stubborn stains still lie therein, turn the clothes inside out and repeats the steps.

Step 5: Wash the clothes with Laundry detergent. Get the clothes into a basin and wash them alone using detergent. After washing, rinse the fabric and allow it to air dry.

You see, removing oil stains from your clothes is not impossible. So, do not dispose of that favourite shirt because you got it stained with oil or grease.