How to Remove Oil Stains From Your Clothes

Oil and grease stains on your clothes can feel like a total disaster, especially when they catch you off guard. Whether it’s a drip of salad dressing at lunch or an unexpected spill while working on your car, these stains are all too familiar.

But don’t stress—accidents happen, and there’s no reason to say goodbye to your favorite outfit just yet. With a few simple steps on how to remove oil stains from your clothes, you can easily tackle even the toughest oil and grease stains. For the best results, let a residential laundry service handle those tough oil and grease stains for you.

Follow our quick guide below, perfect for handling these stains right at home with your residential laundry routine.

Types of Oil Stains

Oil stains vary in nature, each presenting its own unique challenges for removal. The three primary types of oil stains are cooking oil, grease, and motor oil.

• 
  Cooking Oil Stains: Cooking oil stains are a common issue in kitchens, often from spills or handling greasy ingredients. They are hard to remove because of their oily texture and quick spreading.
• 
  Grease Stains: Grease stains can happen in cooking or mechanical work, leaving lasting marks on clothes and fabrics. Removing them requires special cleaning methods.
• 
  Motor Oil Stains: Motor oil stains come from car maintenance or accidents, being tough to remove due to their thick consistency.

Tips and Tricks to Remove Oil Stains

The below steps can help effectively remove oil stains from your clothes:

Step 1: Act Quickly

The sooner you treat an oil stain, the better. As soon as you notice the stain, try to blot up as much of the excess oil as possible. Use a paper towel, napkin, or clean cloth to gently dab at the stain—don’t rub it in, as that could make it worse.

Step 2: Use Dish Soap

Dish soap is great for removing oil stains because it breaks down grease effectively. Apply a bit of soap directly to the stain on a dry fabric, then gently rub it in.

Step 3: Wait

Let the soap do its job for 5 to 10 minutes to fully break down the oil. This step is crucial for a successful stain removal.

Step 4: Rinse with Warm Water

After waiting, rinse the area with warm water to help dissolve the remaining oil and soap. Make sure to rinse well to get rid of all the soap.

Step 5: Wash as Usual

Now it’s time to wash the clothing. Put the stained item in the washing machine and wash it as you normally would, using the hottest water temperature that’s safe for the fabric. Check the care label on your clothing to be sure. You can also add a bit of extra detergent to help remove any remaining traces of oil.

Step 6: Check Before Drying

Before you throw your clothes in the dryer, check to see if the stain is completely gone. If there’s still a bit of oil left, repeat the steps above. The heat from the dryer can set the stain, making it much harder to remove later.

Step 7: Dry and Wear

Once the stain is gone, you can dry your clothes as usual. Your favorite shirt, pants, or dress should now be oil-free and ready to wear again!

So next time you spill, don’t panic—just follow these steps and your clothes will be as good as new!

Experience Hassle-Free Laundry with Hyperloop Laundry!

Say goodbye to laundry day stress! Hyperloop Laundry in Houston offers fast, affordable, and reliable laundry services, including wash & fold, dry cleaning, and more. Let us take care of your clothes so you can focus on what matters most. 

Call us today at 866-527-9535 and simplify your life!