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FloorTips for Removing Oil and Grease Stains out of Clothes Effectively
- by Brodie Cook
Updated 26-11-2025
Why Oil and Grease Stains Stick So Easily
Oil stains happen fast and often when you least expect it. A splash from a pan. A smear from sunscreen. A drip of cooking oil on your shirt when you rush to eat. These moments feel small but the stain can stay in the fabric.
Oil and grease sit deep in the fibres because they do not mix with water. The oil clings to the fabric, and warm skin or body heat can push it in even more. This is why a grease stain can look faint at first and then show up again when the garment dries.
Synthetic fibres like polyester make this worse. These fibres attract oil and hold it tight. Cotton lets go of oil faster, but only when you use the right stain removal steps.
Warm water can help loosen the oil, but hot water can also set the stain.
Materials You Need to Remove Oil and Grease Stains
- Lucent Globe detergent sheets
- Warm water
- A small bowl or cup
- A soft toothbrush
- Paper towels or a clean cloth
- A piece of cardboard
- Baking soda
- A washing machine
- A drying rack
How to Remove Oil and Grease Stains (Fresh and Set-In)
Step 1: Check the Stain and Start Pre-Treatment
Look at the stain first. A fresh stain looks wet or feels greasy. A set-in stain appears after a wash or looks dry and flat in the fibres.
Blot fresh stains with a paper towel to absorb excess oil. Press lightly. Do not rub.
Keep the fabric dry at this stage. Oil and water do not mix, and water can trap the stain.
Slide a small piece of cardboard behind the stain. This stops the oil from bleeding through.
Avoid heat for now. Warm or hot water can set the stain before you treat it.
Once pre-treated, use the right method:
Fresh stains → go straight to detergent paste.
Set-in stains → start with baking soda.
Step 2: Treat Fresh Stains with a Dissolved Detergent Sheet
Tear off a small piece of the detergent sheet.
Add only a few drops of warm water so it softens into an ultra-concentrated detergent solution.
Spread the dissolved sheet over the fresh stain so it covers the whole area.
Step 3: Upgrade for Set-In Stains with Baking Soda
For set-in stains, keep the fabric dry when you begin.
Sprinkle baking soda over the stain so the whole patch is covered.
Let it sit for 20 to 60 minutes so the powder can absorb the oil.
Brush off the powder once it clumps or darkens.
Then, make the detergent sheet paste and spread it over the same spot.
Step 4: Scrub the Stain Gently
Use a soft toothbrush to scrub the paste into the fibres.
Use short strokes and light pressure so you do not damage the garment.
Step 5: Let It Sit
Let the paste sit for ten minutes.
This gives the surfactants time to break down the oil or grease.
Step 6: Rinse with Warm Water
Rinse the stained area with warm water.
Warm water clears the paste and the loosened oil without setting the stain.
Step 7: Wash the Garment in the Machine
Place the garment in the washing machine.
Use your normal wash cycle and your usual detergent sheets.
Choose warm water if it is safe for the fabric.
Step 8: Air Dry and Check for Any Marks
Air-dry the garment on a drying rack.
Oil stains can hide in wet fabric. Always check when it is fully dry.
If you still see a faint stain, repeat the steps on dry fabric.
Why This Method Works
Baking soda absorbs trapped oil in set-in stains.
Detergent sheet paste then breaks up the remaining film on both fresh and tough stains.
The wash cycle removes more oil without harsh chemicals.
Myths About Removing Oil Stains (What Not to Do)
Oil stains cause confusion. Many people share quick fixes that sound helpful but make the stain harder to remove. Some tips spread online can even set the stain or damage delicate fabrics. It helps to know what works and what does not before you treat the stain.
Below are the most common myths and the simple truths that keep your clothes safe.
Myth 1: “Hot water will get oil stains out of clothes faster.”
Truth: Hot water can set the stain deeper in the fibre. It makes grease and oil stains harder to get out during the washing process. Always act fast, but use warm water only when the fabric care label says it is water safe for the fabric.
Myth 2: “Salt removes every oil or grease stain.”
Truth: Salt can help absorb fresh grease when you dab it on quickly, but it does not remove set-in stains. It cannot pull out old oil that has dried in the fibres. You still need real stain removal steps to get the job done.
Myth 3: “Vinegar works on all stains from clothes.”
Truth: Vinegar can damage delicate fabrics and printed areas. It struggles with any oil-based stain because oil and water do not mix. Pouring vinegar onto the stain may not lift it and can make the stain harder to treat later.
Myth 4: “Scrub hard and the stain will disappear.”
Truth: Hard scrubbing pushes the oil deeper into the fibre. It spreads the mark and makes effective removal harder. It is better to gently rub the stain remover or detergent paste on the fabric and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
Myth 5: “Drying the garment will help loosen the stain.”
Truth: If you machine-dry the garment too early, the heat can bake the oil stain into the fabric. Once baked in, these pesky oil stains are much harder to remove. Always air dry before you try and remove more of the stain.
Myth 6: “Dish soap fixes every oil stain.”
Truth: Liquid dish soap can help with fresh stains, but some types can be harsh on colours and delicate fabrics. A mild detergent paste is safer and gives better control when you treat the stain as soon as possible.
Myth 7: “WD-40 is the fastest way to remove oil stains from clothes.”
Truth: WD-40 is oil-based. It may loosen a stain, but it also adds more oil to the fabric, which you then have to remove. It creates extra work and more chance of residue. Gentle cleaning agents do the same job without adding a second oil or grease stain.
Myth 8: “You can skip pre-treatment and go straight to the washer.”
Truth: If you do not remove as much oil as possible before you wash the item, the stain can spread during the wash cycle. Pre-treatment is your first line of defence for both fresh stains and particularly stubborn set-in stains.
A stain becomes harder to get out once it has been heated many times. The mark may fade but not disappear fully.
Frequently Asked Questions:
When an Oil Stain Might Be Permanent
Some stains are difficult to remove because the oil bonds to the fibres. Polyester holds oil tightly when exposed to heat. A hot wash cycle or a spin cycle in the dryer can set the stain deep into the fabric. Dark oils like sunscreen, car grease, and thick beauty oils can also leave a shadow that stays even after you treat the stain.
How can I remove the greasy smell that stays even after the stain fades?
Grease can trap odour inside the stain even when the fabric looks clean. Treat the patch with paste again and scrub the fibres so they open up. Let it sit a bit longer than usual. Rinse well and wash on a warm cycle if the label allows it. Air dry and check the smell in sunlight because warmth brings trapped odour back out.
What should I do if the stain is already months old?
Old oil oxidises and becomes sticky. Start dry and add a thick layer of baking soda. Leave it for longer than usual so it can soften the oxidised oil. Scrub lightly and apply the paste next. You may need two rounds, but each pass will lighten the patch.
