How to Get Oil Out of Clothes Easily

Whether it's a splash from cooking, a drop from a salad dressing, or an unexpected grease mark, oil stains on your favorite outfit can ruin your day. However, there's no need to despair or think about discarding your stained clothes. With the right approach, getting oil out of clothes is simpler than you might think.

In this blog, we'll explore some effective and easy methods to tackle those stubborn oil stains. These tips are designed to save your garments from being relegated to the 'only at home' category, ensuring they remain a proud part of your wardrobe. These tips represent the best-of-the-best advice from around the internet, and we’ve included video links where you can learn more about these methods!

Getting Oil Out of Clothes

The Easiest Way to Get Oil Out of Clothes

When you're up against fresh oil stains on your clothes, there's a dynamic duo that can come to your rescue: dish soap and OxiClean. These common items are surprisingly effective at breaking down oil and removing those pesky stains, especially when they haven't set in yet. Dish soap is designed to cut through grease on your dishes, and it works just as well on clothes. Here's how to use it:

1. Blot the Stain: Gently blot the stained area with a paper towel or a clean cloth to remove as much of the excess oil as possible. Be careful not to rub the stain, as this can cause it to spread.
2. Apply Dish Soap: Apply a small amount of dish soap directly onto the stain. Use your fingers or a soft brush to gently work the soap into the fabric. Allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes.
3. Rinse with Hot Water: After the dish soap has had time to break down the oil, rinse the area thoroughly with hot water. The temperature of the water helps to further dissolve the oil.
4. Treat with OxiClean: Prepare a solution of OxiClean by following the instructions on the package. Submerge the stained area in the OxiClean solution, or spray it directly on the stain. Let it sit for a bit as per the recommended time on the product label.
5. Launder as Usual: After treating the stain, wash the garment as you normally would, according to its care instructions. Check the stain before drying; if it’s still visible, repeat the treatment process.

Remember, the quicker you treat the oil stain, the better the chances of completely removing it. This method works best on stains that aren't set-in yet, offering a simple and effective solution to keep your clothes looking their best.

The Best Way to Get Oil Out of Clothes

For old, tough, or set-in stains, we recommend Melissa Pateras’ WD-40 method. It’s a bit more involved, but it’s extremely effective because, as Pateras says, it makes the old stain “act like a new stain again.” Here's a step-by-step guide based on her TikTok video:

1. Prepare the Garment: Start by placing a piece of cardboard underneath the stain. This helps to absorb any liquids and prevents the stain from spreading to other parts of the garment.
2. Apply WD-40: Spray a small amount of WD-40 directly onto the oil stain. WD-40 helps to break down the oil and makes it easier to remove. Let it sit for a few minutes.
3. Add Baking Soda: Next, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the WD-40. Baking soda is known for its absorbing properties and will help to lift the oil from the fabric.
4. Scrub with a Toothbrush: Using an old toothbrush, gently scrub the area where you applied the baking soda and WD-40. This action helps to further break down the oil and work the baking soda into the stain.
5. Rinse & apply Dawn Dish Soap: After scrubbing, rinse the stain and then apply a small amount of Dawn dish soap over the stain. Dawn is effective at cutting through grease and will help to remove any remaining oil residue.
6. Launder as Usual: Once you've treated the stain with this method, launder the garment as you normally would. Make sure to check the stain & repeat as needed before putting the garment in the dryer, as the heat can set any remaining oil.

This method is particularly useful for oil stains that have been a nuisance to remove by conventional means. It's a testament to the power of combining household products to tackle tough laundry challenges.

Getting Dried Out Oil Stains Out of Clothes

Dried out oil stains can be particularly challenging, but there's still hope with the right approach. TikTok user jeeves_ny offers a straightforward method, which we will enhance with an additional step using OxiClean:

1. Apply Dish Soap: Directly apply dish soap to the stained area. Dish soap is effective in breaking down oil, even in dried stains. Gently rub the soap into the stain with your fingers.
2. Add Warm Water: Gently rub the dish soap into the stain with a little warm water. The warmth helps to soften and break down the oil particles.
3. Treat with OxiClean: After applying dish soap and warm water, rinse and then add an OxiClean treatment to the area. Prepare an OxiClean solution as per the instructions on the package, and apply it directly to the stain. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
4. Launder as Usual: Once the stain has been treated, wash the garment according to its care instructions. As with other methods, avoid using the dryer until you are sure the stain is completely removed.

Natural Methods to Get Oil Out of Clothes

For those who prefer eco-friendly and gentle solutions, there are several natural methods to remove oil stains from clothing. These alternatives use common household ingredients, offering a safe and sustainable way to tackle oil stains without relying on harsh chemicals.

The Plate Method

A natural and effective method to remove oil stains from clothing popularized by Chantel Mila on TikTok involves usually a plate under the stain to capture the oil as it releases. Here's how it works:

1. Place a Plate Under the Stain: Start by placing a plate underneath the stained area of the garment. This provides a solid backing and prevents any liquids from seeping through.
2. Cover with Dish Soap: Apply dish soap generously over the stain. The soap's grease-fighting properties make it ideal for tackling oil.
3. Add Baking Soda: Cover the dish soap with baking soda. Baking soda acts as a natural absorbing agent, pulling the oil out of the fabric.
4. Scrub with a Natural Brush: Using a natural brush, gently scrub the area. This helps the dish soap and baking soda to penetrate the stain and lift the oil.
5. Rinse & Repeat Until Stain Has Lifted

Lemon Juice & Baking Soda

A natural and effective method to remove oil stains, as shared by creative_explained on TikTok, involves using dish soap, warm water, baking soda, and a final touch of lemon juice. Here's how to apply this method:

1. Apply Dish Soap: First, apply dish soap directly to the stain. Dish soap is excellent for cutting through grease and oil.
2. Add Warm Water: Gently rub the dish soap into the stain with some warm water. This helps in breaking down the oil.
3. Sprinkle Baking Soda: After the dish soap and warm water, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the stain. Baking soda is known for its absorbing properties.
4. Scrub the Stain: Use a natural brush to scrub the area gently. This helps in working the mixture into the fabric.
5. Apply Lemon Juice: Finally, squeeze some lemon juice over the stain. Lemon juice acts as a natural bleaching agent and helps to remove any remaining residue.

Baby Powder

An innovative method to remove wet oil stains from clothing involves using baby powder, as demonstrated by TikTok creator missdemiya. Here's how to apply this technique:

1. Apply Baby Powder: Generously cover the wet oil stain with baby powder. The powder is highly absorbent and helps to draw out the oil from the fabric.
2. Let It Sit: Allow the baby powder to sit on the stain for a few minutes, giving it time to absorb the oil.
3. Brush Off: Once the powder has absorbed the oil, gently brush it off the garment. You should see a reduction in the appearance of the stain.

This method is particularly effective for fresh, wet oil stains and is a great first step before proceeding with any further stain removal techniques.

Does Vinegar Work to Remove Oil from Clothes?

While vinegar is a popular natural cleaning agent, it's not the best choice for removing oil stains. The reason lies in chemistry. Oil stains are hydrophobic, meaning they repel water, and vinegar, being an aqueous (water-based) solution, isn't effective at breaking down oil. Acids like vinegar don't have the properties needed to dissolve or break up oil, which is why they're not recommended for treating oil stains on clothing.

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