Introduction

You’ve just been cooking a tasty meal, or perhaps working in the garage and—oops—something falls and lands right in the middle of your favourite shirt.

Whatever the type of oil stain is, whether it be cooking oil, grease, or machine oil, cleaning oil out of your clothes can be difficult, and for many of us, it’s a rite of passage. But why is this the case? After all, any regular spill can be wiped or blotted away with relative ease.

The issue is that oil itself does not respond well to water and our regular laundry solutions. This is because oil is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water. As a result, it adheres to the fabric fibres rather than mixing.

This makes oil stains difficult to remove simply through washing, and, if not pre-treated, it can be nearly impossible to remove without damaging your garments.

In this ultimate 2025 oil stain guide, we will show you how to remove fresh and set-in stains by yourself, when to call for professional help, and provide you with some valuable tips to avoid oil stains before they even start.

Ranging from natural home products to store-bought commercial cleaners, we cover them all.

Plus, for when regular cleaning just isn’t enough, services like mr. blue specialise in professional-grade stain removal using industrial processes which are both fabric and environmentally friendly.

Understanding Oil Stains

Oil stains are different from tomato juice or ink blots. These are different in terms of what oil is and how it stains.

Oil is made up of a group of molecules that do not mix well with water or other liquids. It is this particular factor that makes oil stains so resistant to our traditional means of laundering.

Different fabrics behave differently when it comes to oil. For example, cotton material is breathable and, whilst it absorbs oil quickly, it is also a lot easier to treat and deal with than some other types of fabric.

Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, are some of the most common culprits for holding onto oil stains in a long-term way.

Key Oil Stain Types

• Cooking oil: This will most often include vegetable oil, olive oil, as well as butter and ghee (clarified butter).
• Motor oil: Common with workwear, mechanic uniforms or when carrying out your DIY car maintenance.
• Industrial or machine oil: Found generally in factories or similar technical workspaces.

Oil Stain Facts

• When dealing with oil stains, time is of the essence. The sooner you can begin to pre-treat, the better.
• Did You Know? Oil stains on polyester tend to set more quickly than on cotton fabrics. Acting fast can make a world of difference!

First Response: What to Do Immediately After the Stain (Pre-Treatment)

So you’ve just got oil on your clothes. Now what? Speed is of the essence here, so what are you supposed to do as your first course of action? Try these steps:

• Blot (don’t rub) the area using a paper towel, microfiber cloth or clean tissue. This will remove the surface-level oil.
• Sprinkle on an absorbent powder and leave to soak up the remaining oil. Baby powder, baking soda and cornstarch will all work here.
• Brush off with an old toothbrush or soft brush.

Tools for the Cupboard

• Chalk (absorbs light grease)
• An old toothbrush
• Microfiber cloth
• A small spray bottle of dish soap

What NOT to Do

• Do not apply direct heat (hairdryer or iron) to the stain as this will set it in further.
• Do not wet the area with hot water straight away.

Immediate treatment like this can remove up to 80% of an oil stain even before the actual washing process begins.

Proven Home Remedies for Removing Oil Stains

Dish Soap + Warm Water

Why it works: Dish soap is specifically designed to cut through grease (on your dishes). It also works well on our clothes.

Best for: Cooking oil stains on cotton, denim and poly-cotton blends.

Steps to Try:

• Apply a few drops of grease-cutting dish soap (e.g. Dawn or Fairy dish soap) directly onto the stain.
• Rub the fabric together or gently work in with an old toothbrush.
• Let it sit for 10–15 minutes.
• Rinse in warm (not hot) water.
• Proceed to machine wash as usual.

Baking Soda + White Vinegar Paste

Why it works: The combination of baking soda and white vinegar will help to lift the oil and get rid of any associated odours.

Ideal for: Cotton, linen and light-coloured garments.

Steps to Try:

• Mix 2 tbsp of baking soda with 1 tbsp white vinegar to create a paste.
• Apply the paste on the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes.
• Gently scrub with a soft brush.
• Rinse thoroughly and launder.

Caution: May cause slight fading on darker fabrics, so be sure to do a spot test first.

Aloe Vera Gel

Why it works: Aloe Vera is a natural degreaser, and very gentle on fabrics.

Great for: Eco-conscious consumers and for use on sensitive skin fabrics.

Steps to Try:

• Apply some fresh aloe vera gel or store-bought aloe vera gel on the stain.
• Allow to sit for 15–20 mins.
• Gently scrub and rinse.
• Launder as normal.

Lemon Juice + Salt

Why it works: The citric acid in the lemon juice helps to break down the oil, while the Salt acts as a mild abrasive.

Ideal for: White or light-coloured clothes.

Steps to Try:

• Sprinkle Salt on the stain.
• Squeeze lemon juice over the Salt to create a fizzing action.
• Rub gently and leave in the sunlight for 30 minutes.
• Rinse and wash.

Caution: Avoid this method on dark fabrics as it can bleach the colour.

WD-40 + Dish Soap (for Set-In Stains)

Why it works: WD-40 will work to loosen the bonds of set-in grease and oil, which makes it easier to remove.

Ideal for: Stubborn stains, especially motor oil.

Steps to Try:

• Spray a small amount of WD-40 onto the stain.
• Allow it to sit for 5–10 minutes.
• Blot off the excess.
• Follow the dish soap and warm water method above.
• Rinse and launder.

Warnings:

• Always do a patch test before using it on your garment.
• Use in a well-ventilated area when spraying WD-40.

Machine Washing Tips After Treatment

If you’ve pre-treated your clothes, a cycle in the washing machine is the next logical step. Use the following tips to support this process:

• Separate the stained garment to avoid transferring the oil to other clothes.
• Warm water is good, not hot. Hot water will only set the oil.
• Use the appropriate detergent for oily stains. Enzyme-based formulas and degreasing detergents will be best here.
• Use a double rinse cycle for maximum cleanliness.
• Air dry only! Don’t put the garment into the tumble dryer as this will bake in any residual stains.

Bonus Pro Tip: To test if the stain has truly gone, check it in natural light before drying it.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you have tried a few at-home methods and the stain is still there, it may be time to turn to the professionals.

In particular, there are some specific scenarios that you should immediately think about professionally:

• Garments made from delicate fabrics such as silk, satin, or wool
• Heavily stained workwear or uniforms, such as chef coats or mechanic uniforms
• Set-in stains that have survived repeated wash attempts

Professional services such as mr. blue will use commercial-grade degreasers, carefully controlled soaking processes and fabric-specific treatment protocols to remove the oil stain without damaging your fabric.

Don’t take the risk if you’re unsure. Please send it to the professionals and gain peace of mind.

Preventing Oil Stains in the First Place

As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here are some valuable tips that will help you avoid oil stains in the first place:

• Wear aprons or overalls over your clothes when cooking or when working with grease.
• Always pre-treat garments that you know will be subject to oily conditions before washing.
• Be more careful when eating oily food, especially when eating out and about or in transit.
• Keep a mini stain-removal kit in your handbag or kitchen drawer with chalk, stain wipes and a microfiber cloth.
• Regularly clean oil-stained workwear to avoid oil build-up.

Build these little habits, and you will be able to avoid many oil stains and keep your clothes away from long-term damage.

Also Read: – Does dry cleaning remove stains

Inside Look: How Professional Laundry Services Handle Oil Stains

Have you ever wondered what exactly happens behind the scenes at a commercial laundry service?

We asked our team at mr. blue to give us the full breakdown on how oil-stained garments are handled in the real world.

The Process:

1. Initial assessment to identify the type of oil and the fabric.
2. Garment tagging with a special indicator for correct handling.
3. Specialised pre-treatment with enzyme-based degreasers tailored to the stain and fabric.
4. Controlled soaking process in temperature-controlled tanks.
5. Commercial washing with customised wash cycles.
6. Final inspection under bright lighting after air drying.

“At mr. blue, our oil-stained garments go through a specially designed multi-step process that includes the use of industrial enzyme-based pre-wash solutions, which are selected based on both the type of fabric and the stain itself.”

Also Read: – How to remove pen ink from clothes after drying

Final Thoughts

Oil stains can seem like a laundry person’s worst nightmare, but they don’t have to be.

With a bit of know-how and quick response action, you can make sure that your favourite clothes do not become ruined.

From regular household dish soap to store-bought aloe vera, there are some potent and effective home remedies for tackling most stains when applied quickly and correctly.

But if a stain is just not going away, or if you are dealing with sensitive fabrics and high-value clothing, don’t be afraid to take the high road and leave it to the professionals.

Laundries like mr. blue have a mixture of both fabric knowledge and industrial-grade equipment and processes to ensure that your clothes come back to you free from stains.

Whether you need support with a few isolated items or if you are dealing with uniforms for a large number of employees, understanding oil stains will help save you time, money, and stress.

Need help with removing oil stains? Need a trusted partner for your regular laundry needs? Then mr. blue is just a phone call away.

FAQs

Q1: Can oil stains be removed once dried?

Yes, they can; however, it is a more difficult process. Oil, once dried, bonds itself to the fabric fibres. You will need to use a product that can break this bond. We recommend WD-40 or a commercial-grade degreaser. After which, continue with dish soap and a double-rinse wash.

Q2: What is the best home remedy for removing cooking oil stains?

Dish soap and warm water are the most effective option. It’s fast, it’s effective, and it’s safe to use on most fabrics.

Q3: Can baking soda damage my clothes?

No, not typically. Baking soda is a natural, very mild abrasive, so it should not damage your clothing in any way. However, it can cause fading on dark fabrics if left on for too long. As always, be sure to do a spot test first.

Q4: Is WD-40 safe to use on clothes?

Yes, but only with caution. Always do a patch test first on a hidden part of the garment and use it only on more durable fabrics and materials. Be sure to rinse well before washing.

Q5: Do professional laundry services offer a guarantee on oil stain removal?

Not all stains can be 100% removed, so most commercial laundry services will do their best to remove the stain without offering a money-back guarantee. Professional laundries, such as mr. blue, have a much higher success rate due to their processes.

Q6: Can I wear my clothes if the stain is still faintly visible?

Yes, you can, but this will ultimately depend on your comfort level and how visible the stain is to others. If you are wearing workwear or high-visibility clothing, it is better to remove the stain or replace the garment altogether.