More ways to remove set in oil stains–solutions submitted by our readers.
One of the most popular posts on this blog is How to Remove Set in Oil Stains. Many people found that this crazy method WORKS! That method has helped save many a shirt, blouse, and khaki pants.
Aren’t the crazy methods the best methods, anyway? :)
Sadly, I have heard that it has not worked for a small number of people.
There are so many kinds of oils out there: olive, vegetable, butter, petroleum jelly, lip balms, argan (Moroccan), coconut, and the list goes on. Each oil has varying levels of thickness.
When you factor in all the different kinds of fabrics out there, it makes sense that one sole solution might not work for every situation.
I’m sure there’s a super complicated algorithm that can calculate all the different permutations of oil stains and fabric, but for simplicity (and for us mathematically-challenged) let’s just say that it’s a lot.
Many readers have shared ways that THEY remove oil stains. And instead of having you dig through the comments to find these solutions, I’ve compiled them here.
And so, on behalf of my brilliant readers, I bring to you: MORE ways to remove set-in oil stains.
1. Using Hydrogen Peroxide and Dawn
“I use 1 part Dawn dishwashing liquid and 2 parts hydrogen peroxide. Mix up a small amount, and rub it in the stain(s).
Leave it on for 30 mins. Soak for 30 mins with some of the mixture and wash. it works 99.5% of the time.” – Grace
2. Using Ammonia, Hydrogen Peroxide and Dawn
1 part regular ammonia, 1 part regular Dawn dishwashing liquid, and 2 parts hydrogen peroxide. I mix it up in a large squirt bottle.
I have used this stain remover for the past 23 years. It was given to me by a woman who owned a children’s clothing resale shop and takes out almost everything.
I used it on baby food, sports grime, blood, dirt, even these oily stains. I couldn’t tell you if it has worked on the oily stains every time but it’s fast, easy and worth a try before going to all this work (especially if it is just a t-shirt).
Pre-treat the stain when you see it, toss the item in the dirty clothes hamper and let it sit until laundry day if you want.” – Margo
3. Chalk
I always use plain white chalk it works. I even had a grease stain on the back of my khaki chair (my fault greasy take out box+ full hands; had no idea it was leaking) the chalk worked after several times but I also added dish soap to help. Since I can’t throw the chair into the washer.” – Aubrey
4. Eucalyptus Oil
Try eucalyptus oil, onto the stain and a little rub, wash immediately it should take out those oily stains and smells so nice too. I have had pretty good results with it on some old stains.
Just be careful on anything really delicate. But for cotton or polyester fabrics it works well.
My mum used to swear by brown paper over the stain and ironing it. It takes a little bit of the oil out” – Helen
5. NIKWAX Tech Wash
For those of you worried about ruining Under Armor, my hub uses — or, he has ME use, since he’s not allowed to use my appliances — Nikwax Tech Wash.
It’s a “wash-in cleaner for waterproof textiles” and will “revitalize the breathability and water repellency” of that type of item. It’s great for UnderArmour and for hiking clothes, I think we even used it on a tent.” – Holly
6. Formula 409
I usually use Formula 409. Works great! No scrubbing! Use it by itself, spray on grease stains and wash and they come right out! Done with several shirts!” – Angela
7. Fels-Naptha laundry soap
I have found using a fels-naptha bar and letting it sit before washing also takes out set in oil stains!” – Kari
8. Shout Advanced stain remover
I think it’s worth purchasing Shout Advanced stain remover (it comes in a blue spray bottle). It claims to remove set in stains, and it does!! You DO have to follow the directions, however.
Be sure to rub the stain after applying… just applying isn’t as effective. Also, can be applied and left for some days before washing.
My son-in-law had set-in oil stains all over a shirt – I had to wash more than once after using the Shout, but it did all come out.” – Jill
9. SHOUT laundry pre-treater and Baking Soda
I have always been able to remove these annoying spots with a hearty squirt of Shout pre-treater and about a teaspoon of baking soda on each spot.
I then rub the soda in till it makes a paste with the Shout and sprinkle a bit more soda on for good measure. Then I let it sit over night.
After 12 hours wash as usual and the stain is gone.” – Bethany
10. Goo Gone
I have used Goo Gone for many years to get out grease stains from my teenagers clothes, and it works like magic. Both are grease monkeys and work on cars, so their clothes always have grease stains on them.
Also, I’m terrible about getting grease stains on my clothes while cooking. Goo Gone gets it all out.
Just spray the stain lightly and rub it in and let it set for a while, then wash in the hottest water possible. You might have to repeat it if the stain is set in. But it has never failed me.” – Kimmie
11. Lestoil
Lestoil works wonders on all sorts of stains, especially oil. And no need to scrub, just saturate the stain. The longer you let it sit the better. I wait overnight or even a couple days if possible.” – Melissa
12. Baby Powder
Just put baby powder and let it set over night, next day just place wash it with soap and the stains will come right off. Works every time.” – Maya
13. GOOP Creme Hand Cleaner
I have been using GOOP waterless hand cleaner to get out grease stains. It works even after clothes have gone through the washer and dryer.” – Barney
14. Borax, laundry detergent, and dish soap
I use laundry soap, Borax, and dish soap. I start by filling the washer with hot water and I put in 3 generous squirts of Dawn liquid soap, 1/4 cup of borax, and my normal laundry detergent.
Once the tub is half full of the hot water I put in my oil stained clothes. I allow the the tub to agitate and I keep the washing machine lid open so it doesn’t go into the rinse cycle.
I allow it to soak for a minimum of 30 minutes. Once I am happy with the results I fill a downy ball with white distilled vinegar.
About 1/4 – 1/3 cup of vinegar will do. I put it in the washer and let the cycle finish. The vinegar acts like fabric softener and neutralizes bad odors.
If you don’t have a downy ball put the vinegar in the washer during the rinse cycle. I find my clothes, bed sheets, and towels are fluffier, fresher, and the unsightly oil is gone. This process is great for sheets and stinky teenage boys.
Do you have a unique method to removing oil stains?
Share in the comments below and I’ll add your method to this post!
Thank you to all who have commented on my How to Remove Set-In Oil Stains post for these tips!
Amanda says
I have never even attempted to remove an oil stain, mostly because I just assume oil stains are a death sentence for clothing (and because I am lazy) but after reading this I am a changed woman!
Lisette says
Girlfriend, you’re not alone! Oil stains were not something I dealt with as a single lady but after I married butterfingers over here I had to learn how to overcome this! My main tutorials is excellent for cotton. For other fabrics (like polyester) it needs to be repeated. And dry clean only clothes, well, those should be handled by the professionals haha. Let me know if you have questions!
Kathy says
Watkins degreaser. Put it in a spray bottle , squirt some on the left in grease spot. Let it sit overnight. .. Wash as normal. .The grease will be gone. I’ve washed and dried a shirt, found a grease spot, sprayed the spot, let sit overnight….washed it and it’s clean!
Nadine says
Dilute the oil with cold water when possible. Most oily stains will wash out with ordinary laundry soap use dish soap or spray 9 Spray 9 1-2 squirts rest 1 min or less then rinse in cold water wash as normal works well
Lindsay says
Ha! This is so funny you posted this yesterday because this morning I got a huge oil stain in one my favorite shirts (don’t ask me how). I’m so excited to try out some of these methods if my trusty dollar store stain remover doesn’t work (not holding my breath :) ). Thanks for sharing!
Lisette says
Oh no! If your shirt is made of cotton, I recommend my original oil stain post.
Lindsay says
Oh thanks! It’s actually more of a silk blend I think? I don’t know it’s one of those cheap ones that you can never really tell what the actual material is…
Lisette says
I would try one of the easier methods first, either baby powder or chalk. If the stain is till there, then use one of the other methods. Man made materials are tricky!
Freelance says
My remedy for oil stains came from my grandmother, born somewhere in the 1800s and it works every time.
It’s flour or cornmeal or similar to rub into the stain and then beat or brush out the excess. Once it’s gone, wash it. She also used cornmeal as her facial and that works, too! Love Grandmas!
Lisette says
Thanks for sharing! I think I’ve heard of cornmeal too!
Joyce Umfress says
I’ve found a product called Folex that will remove motor oil and grease on commercial grade carpeting at my office. One of the service guys had tracked it in several years before I discovered Folex and after I heard about the product that was the first spot I tried it on. Worked like a charm.
Sherrie says
A friend with a Master’s in home economics told me to try Murphy’s oil soap on a chiffon dress I wore to a wedding and got Italian dressing spilled in my lap by my 2 yr old. Worked like a. Charm
cj says
I love and swear by Murphy’s soap. I have used it for 40 years or more and my laundry room is never without it.
Clarence says
Can anyone chime in on removing SET IN motor oil stain? I have some corduroy shorts with motor oil stains I’m having trouble getting the set stain out. Ive washed it multiple times, used shout stain remover but its still there. Any recommendations on what method to use first? Thanks!
Karen says
I used to work in a carnival abd we’d put a can of coke in the washer to get the stains out. Works a charm on mechanical grease.
anner says
Lestoil! for the win! pour just enough to cover the stain (un-diluted) and let sit 10-mins or more if it is really bad. Wash, and rinse! the smell of Lestoil is like petroleum but it goes away in the wash. I have saved so many articles of clothing with this stuff!
Tip: if you use too much and the smell lingers, give it a second rinse.
Hannah Hunter says
Great recipes! I always sprinkle salt on greasy stains first (I know this from my grandmother) and then after a while I apply few drops of dish washing liquid, then just wash it. Your suggestions are quite efficient too. Most I’ve worked with at home and some are new for me and I’ll definitely try them. Thanks for sharing, Hannah from http://carpetcleanersfulham.com/ :)
Kristi says
Omg I JUST tried the goo gone method and it totally worked! My daughter leaned against an adjustable basketball pole at school and got grease smudges all over her nice 100 percent polyester coat. Dawn wasn’t working so I fired up Google and am SO glad I found this post! There are a few ghost spots that I just couldn’t scrub out with my sponge so the coat is now in the washer after spraying Shout on all the spots just to be sure the goo gone washes out. Her teacher was sure it was ruined, but I’m sure it will be hard to tell anything happened to it at all. Thanks so much Kimmie and to this blog!
Susanne says
Beware….always test a cleaner in an inconspicuous area. I just tried Goo Gone on three cotton T-shirts. I only left it on a few minutes, then washed them. The stains came out. However, the Goo Gone also lightened the fabric where it was applied, so now I have large, slightly faded spots on my T-shirts.
Michael Heilman says
I used Goo Gone on several cotton golf shirts. Not only did it not take the oil stains out, it made them much worse. It also left a horrible odor in the washing machine.
Juan Rancharan says
I read your blog… for an oil stain that I had just noticed on my sons pants as I ironed it. All I did was apply Arm and Hammer Pure Baking Soda and rubbed in with finger in less than 15 minutes the oil stain was removed…I simply dusted the pants to remove the excess baking soda and ironed again …no need to wash…
Valerie says
Goo Gone works wonders on oil stains, but after I apply the Goo Gone I rub over it with a little bar soap (I suspect Dawn would work too). The Goo Gone gets out the stain, and the soap gets out the Goo Gone!
Teri says
Has anyone tried any of these methods on leather? Specifically boots?
Liana says
Are any of these methods good for black jeans? I am nervous about treating an oil spot and having the color of the jean affected. Thanks!
Zoetta says
Dampen the area and rub in some arm and hammer baking soda. Works like a charm without discolouration.
Mel says
Hi there I spilt cold cooking oil on the floor and put hot water and and left it for the night and it’s still there today please help
Nadine says
Pine sol or lestoil are floor cleaners they should work but you will need an old school mop and bucket I would use 1/4 cup of either and apply with mop Scrub the floor if it is a wood floor use Murphys oil soap
Jane says
Here is one I discovered quite by accident. I wear an old, stained t-shirt to clean my Dad’s house since he doesn’t care how I’m dressed. One day while mopping I tripped while carrying the bucket of hot water with Pine-Sol, about a quarter cup to a gallon of HOT water. Needless to say, I was completely splashed as the bucket and I fell together and my clothes were soaked. When I washed my shirt in cold water with no special treatment the next day every single stain was completely gone.
april says
Shampoo. Any old shampoo. Even after it has been washed and dried. I have used it on everything I throw in the washer from cotton to washable silks. On a more stubborn stain I used a shampoo for oily hair but other than that any shampoo will do.
Erin says
Help! I have a lululemon hoodie (my pride and joy) in bright green so I’m leery about trying some of the suggestions because of fading where the stain it. Which method would you suggest for this…its a very heavy sweatshirt material.
thanks!
Lisette says
I would try the least invasive method first…the chalk. Good luck!
Victoria says
Erin, I would suggest turning the hoodie inside out, and try one of the methods on a cuff, waistband, or some other place on the hoodie that won’t show when you are wearing it. Assuming there is no stain in that spot, this step is only going to test the chosen stain removal method to be sure the fabric won’t fade or otherwise be damaged. If the test is successful, then try that cleaning method on the stain itself. If that method doesn’t get the stains out, you could test another method.
Kathy says
Watkins degreaser!
Put it directly on the stain, let sit overnight and wash as normal the next day.
kimberlybreland says
i have a new bed comforter i just got .put it in my washer,i guess the bearrings or something broke in my machine.i opened up the lid and black oil or grease is all over the white comforter .so, now i have a comforter with grease or oil all over. im going to try your method of stuff to try and get the stains out. i hope this works because just dawn and goo gone ,together then washing it didnt take the stuff out. and i used the biggest and hottest water at the laundry mat and i still got stains .i hope i can get them out if not a just got a exspensive dog bed lol.
Patricia says
Used WD-40/baking soda/dawn on heathered green T-shirt, 100% cotton, to remove butter on front. The fabric faded and left a big spot. Paint store hand cleaner took oil stain out of orange T-shirt. My fault: “always test on inconspicuous place first.” Of course, that’s usually not where the stains are.
Theresa says
I have used a product called Simple Green. It is a green liquid. I spray it on grease/oil stains, let sit for about 5 min then launder as usual. This works on stains that have gone through the washer and dryer previously.
Laura says
Wow, I never thought of using Simple Green! My mom has been using it for years, but I don’t think she’s ever used it on laundry.
Evie says
From all the suggestions only one worked for an old greasy stain. Cedar wood oil . The stain came out in minutes..
Kendra says
Hello! Have you tried any of these cleaning options on 100% polyester? And if so, which one? I have two shirts ready to be cleaned :)
Thank you much!!
Leslieanne says
Off topic, but good. My child left red crayon in pocket and I overlooked it. Whole load of our best clothes washed, dried and covered with red crayon. I applid goo-gone to hundreds of spots, prayed like mad and it ALL came out. This was awesome as I was washing for a sudden funeral and we had no other good clothes back then! Thanks for great suggestions. I’m trying your tutorial on a husbandly oil stain I dried in. Hoping for success! Leslieanne
Radhika says
Hi!! Plz let me know how to remove old oil stains from very delicate ciffon material?
Thnx
Amelia says
I’ve been going to bed covered in bio oil every night since being pregnant it has worked wonders since I’m now 39 weeks with not one stretch mark but it has left I big greasy stain on my sheets and you can still feel an oily residue after washing them. They are very expensive and very soft sheets so I don’t want to use something that will ruin the integrity and softness of my sheets and I also don’t want to have to throw them away. Wich method do you recommend to get the residue off especially once I have the baby and no longer go to bed greased up.
Nadine says
You could try Borax laundry detergent and dishsoap. Vinegar removes soap residue from sheets so a vinegar rinse will help too Try your oldest set first. You may need to double wash your sheets
Kristy says
I’m so glad I found this post! I have been soo upset lately because one of my favorite tanks has an oil stain on it and I have been battling with it for quite some time. I was thinking of trying Goo Gone, but was afraid it wouldn’t work. But, I see that it just do the trick. Going to try it now.
Fiona Matthew says
Wow – this works. I bought a fabulous red, maxi, silky (not real silk) dress last week and wore it to a gala fundraising dinner on Monday night. Where I managed to get an oil stain on it. During my FIRST wearing. So upset. I washed it in very hot water, but that didn’t move the stain. So I tried Bethany’s method (#9 above). Worked the baking soda in with a toothbrush. I left it to sit for only one hour. Washed in very hot water and – voila – stain gone. Thank you!!!
JoeKaye says
A lot of tips here. Which one should I try?
Olive oil for some reason, is like nothing else. I’ve ruined several cotton/polyester mix shirts by dripping salad oil on them and never could get the stain out, even treated as soon as soon as I got home. Even worse, my favorite shirt went through the dryer and now that olive oil stain is set. Dawn and very hot water haven’t worked. Which of those methods would one recommend? This shirt has very fast dye – I doubt it would fade easily. Anybody try WD-40? It’s my favorite shirt that hides my gut nicely, and I wear it in semi-dressy occasions – I’d hate to toss it because wear-out-of-pants shirts of appropriate length for men 5′ 5″ tall are very hard to find.
M. R. Walker says
Pretreating with Dawn whenever possible has saved several items from becoming trash or cleaning rags for me. I also discovered by accident that Spot Shot Carpet Stain Remover works miracles when removing oil/grease stains from clothes. It works on new and set in stains both, which I found out when trying to remove black moly grease that’s a thick, sticky, pretty much impossible to remove from anything grease. Spot Shot got it out of everything I tried it on with no effort at all. Just spray it on, let sit for 15-30 minutes, then wash as usual. Even the carpet came spotlessly clean after spraying it on and lightly scrubbing with an old washcloth.
Joyce says
Do you have any suggestions for oil stain on a leather chair?
Nadine says
Try corn meal or flour or chalk it will depend on if it’s soaked in I would check with a pro who does re upholstery work or ask to talk to someone such as the head housekeeper for a high end hotel. They clean lots of stains off fabric/ leather couches
Courtney says
Simplest solution ever: boiling water. I just lay the stain in the sink over the drain and pour the entire contents of a boiling tea kettle right through it. Doesn’t work perfectly if the stain has been washed and dried. But for new stains: works every time. Zero dollars, zero scrubbing, almost no time.
Holly says
Does chalk work on clothing if the stain has been there about a week now?
Lisette says
Holly, for set in oil stains you may wish to see my original tutorial here: bit.ly/2jhxL0d
Roxy says
Hi I have an old oil stains on a pair of leather boots, I’m not sure what kind of oil it is. Would you happen to have any advice on how to remove oil stains from leather boots? Thank you!
Ana says
I have a blue dress made of sweatshirt material (but lighter) that I wear often in summer. I love it because it’s so comfortable and easy care – just wash and dry. The last time I washed it I noticed that it had a big oil stain on the front. I don’t even know from what. I tried putting ammonia on the stain and hand washing it. After air drying the spot was still there. I then used Greased Lightening, and that didn’t work either. While the color didn’t change on the spots I tried to clean I am afraid that I’ll lighten the fabric in that spot and am wary about doing anything else to it. Since it’s a navy blue dress I’m considering just re-dying it. Would anyone know if that spot will dye properly if I do so? Has anyone tried that?
Just wanted to add a few tips on other stains that are hard to remove. If you get magic marker on anything, just go over the spot with a dry erase marker and wipe with a cloth. Keep doing that and the marker will disappear. If you get pen marks on anything use WINK (it looks like a big crayon) and it rubs right out.
Chance says
Hi. If you dye the fabric the stain will still be there, it will dye darhker than unstained parts.
Phyllis Duncan says
I had a white dress with sparkles. I spilled an alcoholic drink and it left a stain the cleaners couldn’t remove. They dyed it black for me and the spot really stood out. Dying will not cover the spot.
Marianne says
Sadly, the Dawn-peroxide mixture did not remove the stain but it did bleach the shirt around the stain, so now the shirt is ruined! Only try that on a WHITE shirt I guess!
Lovie says
Genuinely no matter if someone doesn’t be aware of afterward its up to other people that they will help,
so here it happens.
Somwell Kortess says
Wow. I’m not alone! I tried the Goo Gone method because my dollar store version of ‘Shout’ did nothing – even after soaking the stain with it and letting it ‘work’ for two days.
Goo gone worked, sorta, but then IT left a trace of its own that didn’t come out in the wash. I was stumped for only a minute because one of your posters recommended Dawn. That did it for me. Thanks Lizette, et al!
Gaelle Eizlini says
OMG!! Thank you and your readers! I browned meat for a stew and it got on a great linen tunic I was wearing and I could’t get the stains out. I was too worried to try your original method (good for my husband’s Ts but….). I read through the additional suggestions and tried the first one.
AHHHmazing!
savannah says
hi!!! i got oil (pesto) stain on the back of my FAVORITE tan corduroy pants. i tried the dawn/peroxide mixture on a skirt of the same color (for another oil stain) and it bleached the whole thing. super sad. for sure don’t want that to happen to these and was wondering what y’all thought would be best for mostly cotton corduroys!