How To Remove Oil Stains From Clothes

Jack_Luca | Feb 15, 2010 |

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Cooking oil can spit and splatter during frying or adding it into foods. Oil stains on clothing can be difficult to remove if you do not treat them correctly. Oil stains on clothes can come from cooking oil, mayonnaise, butter, margarine or salad dressing. Splatters while cooking or spills while eating can happen. There is a way to remove oil stains from clothing without ruining the clothes. In order to be successful at stain removal, you must treat and work on the stain as soon as possible. The longer you leave the stain, the more harder it will be to remove. Never heat dry any clothing or garment that has an oil stain because you will permanently set the stain. This method also works for tablecloths and napkins.

Changing or adding oil to a car, lawn mower or tool with a motor can leave large spills or small dots of oil on your clothing. Motor oil leaves a brownish color stain on work clothes or even clothes you don't typically wear for work.

Removing Oil Stains

Sprinkle flour, cornstarch or talcum powder on the oil stained area to absorb as much of the oil or grease as possible.

Allow the flour, cornstarch or talcum powder to sit on the oil stain for 15 to 20 minutes then brush it away with your hand or remove it with a hand held vacuum.

Apply another layer of flour, cornstarch or powder to the stain to absorb more of the excess oil.

Allow it to sit for another 15 to 20 minutes.

Brush the excess away with your hand or use the small hand held vacuum.

Apply acetone (nail polish remover) or mineral spirits to the stain.

Allow nail polish remover or mineral spirits to sit for 5 to 10 minutes.

Generously apply isopropyl alcohol to the oil or grease stains.

Use a clean, white cloth to blot the stain to remove as much isopropyl alcohol and stain as possible.

Only use a white rag when blotting any type of stain because the dye can transfer from the rag to your stained clothing or table linens.

Mix 1 cup of very warm water with 1 teaspoon of a grease cutting dish washing detergent such as Dawn.

Dip a clean white rag into the sudsy water. Begin at the outside of the oil stain and work your way to the center of the stain. Continue dipping the rag into the soapy water and blotting the fabric until the stain disappears. Always begin at the outside of a stain and work your way towards the center so you do not spread or smear the stain.