Oil stains are some of the most stubborn marks to remove from clothing. Once they touch your clothes, you can’t wash them off with ordinary water and soap. In fact, you might make them spread to other parts in the process.

The good thing is they’re not impossible to tackle. With the proper techniques and tools, you can save your favorite clothes from the dreaded oily patch. 

This article discusses 7 effective ways you can eliminate oil stains from your clothes immediately after they occur.

Top 7 Ways to Remove Oil Stains from Clothes

Here are the most effective ways to eliminate oil stains from your favorite clothes.

1. Act Quickly: Timing is Everything

The sooner you treat an oil stain, the better your chances of removing it completely. Oil tends to seep into fabric fibers, making lifting harder the longer it sits.

Therefore, act quickly to remove the stain the moment you notice it. You might be tempted to rub the affected area, but that’s the easiest way to make it spread. The ideal thing to do here is to blot it gently with a paper towel or a clean cloth to absorb excess oil.

2. Use Dish Soap

Another effective way to eliminate oil stains from your clothes is to use dish soap to wash them off. Dish soap is designed to cut through grease, making it a go-to solution for oil stains.

Once you notice the stain, apply a few drops of dish soap directly to it and gently rub it in with your fingers or a soft brush. Give it 5–10 minutes before rinsing with warm water. After that, you can wash the clothes as usual. 

Make sure to use a clear, fragrance-free dish soap to avoid discoloration or lingering scents. 

3. Absorb with Baking Soda or Cornstarch

Baking soda is one of those items in the home that has many uses. Apart from its core use, which is to bake, you can use baking soda for cleaning, neutralizing odors, whitening teeth, and lots more. 

Cornstarch is another powdered household material that can effectively absorb the grease stain on clothing. It’s almost as effective as baking soda in eliminating oil stains from a fabric. 

To get the best result, cover the stain thoroughly with baking soda or cornstarch and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour. Then, brush off the powder and assess the stain. You can repeat the process several times until you notice that a significant amount of the stain has been absorbed. Once this is done, wash the clothes as usual.

4. Use Vinegar

White vinegar is a natural stain remover and works well for lifting oil from fabric. The acidic content of the vinegar makes the oil molecules easy to wash off by breaking them down into tiny bits. With this, you only need to blot gently and rinse with water, and the stain is gone.

Unlike other materials we’ve discussed, you shouldn’t apply vinegar directly to your clothes, except they’re very thick and can withstand harsh effects. Otherwise, mix equal amounts of vinegar and water to form a solution. Apply the solution to the cloth using a sponge or soak the clothes in the solution if the stain is on more than one area. 

For a more effective result, ensure you soak the clothes for at least 15 minutes before washing them.

5. Heat Treatment Works

Hot water treatment is another effective way to eliminate oil stains from your clothes. The reason is quite simple. The heat breaks down the oil molecules, making them easier to lift from the fabric. 

However, before you use hot water to remove the oil stain on your clothes, make sure you’ve checked the label to ensure the fabric can withstand it. If it can, proceed to soak the stained area in hot water for 10-15 minutes. Once this is done, use any detergent of your choice and wash the clothes thoroughly.

6. Stain Remover Detergents

Many laundry detergents have grease-fighting enzymes that can break down oil stains. Some are even specifically made to remove oil stains from fabrics. 

If the detergent is liquid, apply it directly to the stain. You’d need to make a solution with the detergent and water if it’s a solid detergent. Either way, allow it to sit for 10–15 minutes before washing. 

While washing, pay more attention to the greased area and scrub gently until the stains are eliminated. For better results, wash the clothes in warm water or use detergents made for tougher stains. 

7. Stain Removal Pens

If you’re away from home and your clothes get stained with oil, stain removal pens are the handiest solution you can use. They’re quite convenient for eliminating oil stains on the go, as you can carry them around in your purse or car. 

Once you notice a stain on your clothes, quickly remove it and apply the pen directly to the affected area. Allow the solution to penetrate the fabric before you wash it off properly. 

Conclusion

Oil stains are undoubtedly one of the toughest kinds of stains. However, with the right solution and a little patience, you can eliminate them from your clothes without stress. This is quite achievable with household items like dish soap, baking soda, vinegar, and more.

But, if you’d rather not deal with the hassle of laundry at all, LaundryMaids is here to help. We specialize in handling tough stains, ensuring your clothes are always returned fresh and clean. Schedule your pickup today and let us take care of the mess for you.