will oil ruin clothes

Splattered or spilled cooking and vegetable oils, like sunflower, olive, and other vegetable oils, often darken and permanently set into the fabric once dried. Act swiftly with home remedies for greater success in getting rid of these stains. Oil stains are hydrophobic, meaning they cannot be treated with water alone, requiring a more involved removal process.

Oil stains on synthetic materials are more challenging than natural fabrics like cotton. Fortunately, grease-cutting dish soap, baking soda, and vinegar rubbed in with an old soft toothbrush usually works. Never place an oil-stained garment in the dryer because the high heat binds the oil to fibers.

Read on to learn how to remove cooking oil stains from clothes, even from garments washed and dried multiple times.

Instead of a brightly colored stain, oil leaves a greasy patch behind that’s slightly darker than the surrounding fabric. When it comes to greasy stains, the danger is that the longer you leave that oil spot unattended, the darker it will become over time, and if left too long, it can also set permanently.

How to Remove Cooking Oil Stains After Drying

Old cooking oil stains on clothes that have already been washed and dried are more challenging to remove, but its still possible by using a combination of WD-40, baking soda, and liquid laundry detergent. Try this strategy.

• Cut Cardboard to Shield Garment

  • Cut a piece of cardboard that is larger than the stain.
  • Place the garment flat on a surface such as a table or counter.
  • Place the piece of cardboard directly under the stain so the treatment only affects that one layer of stained clothing. The cardboard will protect the rest of your garment and prevent the oil from being reabsorbed into the fabric.

  The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

• Apply WD-40

  Depending on the size of the stain, either spray or use a cotton swab to smear the stain with this solvent. The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

• Add Baking Soda

  • Add a thick layer of baking soda over the WD-40.
  • Using small circular motions, use an old, soft toothbrush and scrub the baking soda into the stain.
  • As the baking soda becomes damp or clumpy, brush it off and replace it with a new layer of baking soda.
  • Keep repeating this until your baking soda looks clean and clump-free.

  The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

• Use Liquid Detergent

  Once the baking soda is gone, add a thick layer over the stain of your liquid laundry detergent or dish soap (either work). The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

• Launder as Usual

  Pop the garment into the washing machine and wash it in hot or warm water so the stain remains liquified for full removal. The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

• Inspect the Stain

  • Once you remove the item from the washer, check if the stain is fully removed.
  • If not, repeat the steps.
  • If it is removed, it is safer to air-dry the item rather than run the risk of putting it into the dryer to reset any remaining stain.

  The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

How to Remove Cooking and Vegetable Oil Stains From Clothes

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

• Remove Excess Oil

  • Remove any oily solids from the fabric with a dull knife or spoon.
  • Blot liquid oil stains with a paper towel. This makes it easier to treat the stained area and prevents oil from seeping into more of the material.

  The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

• Apply Baking Soda and Vinegar

  Use baking soda to pull more oil from the fabric after finishing Step 1. Baking soda is a dry ingredient that draws oil and grease out of fibers.

  • Use a liberal amount of baking soda to coat the stain.
  • Remove the layer of baking soda dampened from the oil or grease using a dull plastic knife or the edge of a credit card.
  • Apply another layer over it until the baking soda is not drawing up any more oil.
  • Leave the dry baking soda on the stain overnight if the stain is large.
  • Leave the baking soda on the stain for 30 minutes to an hour if the stain is small.
  • Use your hand or toothbrush to remove the baking soda from the stain.
  • Pour a capful of white distilled vinegar directly onto the stain to further break it up.
  • Use a soft toothbrush to scrub the vinegar.
  • Proceed to the next step after most of the stain is gone.

  Tip

  For non-washable clothes and shoes, sprinkle oil stains with cornstarch or baby powder to help absorb the oil from the fabric. The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

• Apply Detergent

  • If some of the stain is still visible, apply a heavy-duty laundry detergent to the stained area. Or use a grease-cutting liquid dish soap for tougher stains.
  • Saturate the stain until both sides of the fabric are soaked.

  The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

• Let the Liquid Sit

  • Allow the liquid to sit for at least three to five minutes but no longer than 10 minutes. You do not want to let the area become dry.
  • As the solution seeps into the fabric, the grease will break down.

  The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

• Wash as Directed

  Check the clothing care label to determine what water temperature to launder the garment once the stain is removed, and then wash in the hottest water advised. The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

• Inspect Stained Area

  • Check to ensure the stain is removed before machine drying the clothing. Ensure there is no hint of a mark or darkened ring.
  • Repeat the previous steps if any trace of the stain remains.
  • Allow the clothing to air-dry.
  • When the stain is gone, washing and drying is typically safe.

  The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

How to remove oil stains from clothes | Easy & Effective method

FAQ

Are oil stains permanent?

Will dry oil stain clothes?

Can you dry clothes that have oil on them?

Do you have oil stains on your clothes?

Oil stains are some of the most common — and frustrating — on clothes. They can appear from cooking, eating a juicy burger, or working with your car. As a clumsy family, oil stains are no stranger to us. We’ve now reached the point where we don’t even bat an eye at an oil stain because we know exactly how to remove it.

Can oil stains ruin your day?

Don’t let a splash of oil on your clothes ruin your day. Oil stains are some of the most common — and frustrating — on clothes. They can appear from cooking, eating a juicy burger, or working with your car. As a clumsy family, oil stains are no stranger to us.

What causes oil and grease stains on clothes?

The fibers and fabric of your clothing may contribute to how stubborn oil and grease stains can be. Synthetic fibers like polyester are incredibly difficult to clean because oil and excess grease particles stick to them like magnets, meaning that without proper care and attention, stains could become permanent and ruin your clothes for good.

How do you remove oil stains from clothes?

For non-washable clothes and shoes, sprinkle oil stains with cornstarch or baby powder to help absorb the oil from the fabric. If some of the stain is still visible, apply a heavy-duty laundry detergent to the stained area. Or use a grease-cutting liquid dish soap for tougher stains. Saturate the stain until both sides of the fabric are soaked.