How to get oil and grease stains out of clothes

Grease and oil stains are among the most common laundry irritants. These spots not only stick out like a sore thumb to your clothes, but they are also notoriously difficult for you to remove.

Laura Goodman (senior scientist at Procter & Gamble) says that these stains are due to basic chemistry. Most oils and greases are either semi-solid or solid at room temperatures, so that that removal will require warm or hot water. It all depends on the fabric. Goodman states that synthetic fibres such as polyester can be particularly difficult to treat because they attract grease and oil. These annoying stains are more common as synthetic fibres become more popular.

However, it is possible to remove oil stains from clothes if you can time it correctly. Goodman suggests that you react as quickly as possible to remove oil stains from clothes. Ideally, this should be done as soon as the stain occurs. It will be much more difficult to remove an oil stain once it sets or dries.

Here are the top laundry experts’ tips for getting oil stains out of clothes, whether fresh or set in.

How to use Baking Soda for Oil Stains

Patric Richardson is a laundry expert and owner of the Minneapolis-based boutique Mona Williams. Baking soda pulls oil from the fabric and into it. If you can’t wash something–like a heavy coat or a piece of furniture–Richardson recommends using baking soda as the first defence line before treating the stain. Here’s how:

1. Use a paper towel or cloth to remove any oil.
2. Sprinkle baking soda over the fabric. Let it sit for 24 hours.
3. After one day, vacuum the baking soda and brush it away.
4. Use a vinegar-water solution to spray the affected area.
5. Use soap and a toothbrush to scrub the area. Rinse off.
6. If the stain persists, repeat the process.

How to use chalk to remove oil stains

Richardson states that chalk should remove oils from clothes in the same way as baking soda: by pulling oil out of the fabric and into the cloth. However, he does not recommend chalk to remove set-in or large stains. This trick can be used for small grease splatters, like when you cook, and some grease gets on your shirt.

1. Use a paper towel to remove any oil or food residues from the garment.
2. You can cover the entire area with chalk and allow the oil to absorb for a few minutes.
3. After the stain has occurred, wash the item as soon as possible.

Step by step instructions on how to remove set-in oil stain

Set-in oil staining can be daunting. These steps would help you if your oil or grease stain didn’t disappear immediately.

Apply the stain to the fabric while it is still damp.

It is not a good idea for your garment to be rinsed with water before you begin working on the stain. Richardson states that it is easier to work with dry fabric, as oil and water are incompatible. “So, when you wet the fabric, the water coats the oil around it, so there is no way to remove the oil.”

Put a piece of cardboard under the stain.

You can prevent oil from transferring to other areas of your fabric by placing a piece of cardboard between the layers of your garment. You can recycle an old delivery box or cereal carton from your home.

Use a dry, clean cloth to remove the stain.

It is important to remove as much oil as possible. Blot the fabric carefully so that the oil doesn’t get to other parts. A napkin, tissue or paper towel can also be used if you don’t own a cloth.

Use dish soap to remove the stain.

Liquid soap cuts through grease on clothes just like it does for dishes. Apply a few drops of liquid dish soap to the stain. Then rub it in with your fingers. Allow the dish soap to sit for five minutes.

Rinse with warm running water, and then wash as usual.

After applying dish soap, wait five minutes before rinsing with warm water. Use your regular detergent and bleach for white items.

Dry your item by drying it in the air or using a line dryer.

Grease stains can be difficult to spot on wet clothes, so Goodman suggests waiting to dry the garment in the machine until you are certain that it is gone. Repeat the dish soap treatment if any stain persists after drying. Launder your garment again in hot water. Do not machine dry your item as the high heat could cause the stain to set, making it more difficult to remove.

Is it possible to remove grease stains from clothes after washing?

Although it is not ideal, Richardson claims that oil stains can be removed from the fabric after being washed and dried. It will just take an extra step. A dryer cycle heats the fabric and can cause discolouration. You’ll need to treat it again with an enzyme-based cleaner along with your usual pre-treatment.

Is WD-40 able to remove oil stains from clothes?

Strangely, WD-40 can remove oils from fabric. Richardson states that oily can remove oily. Richardson says, “The problem is that you need to remove the WD-40 as well, as it can sometimes leave its own residue.”

Richardson recommends that you use an oil-based soap to remove stains.