How to Remove Set Oil Stains From Clothing

Pretreat oil-stained garments before washing them.

Oil is difficult to remove from clothing, especially if it is allowed to set. Sources of oil stains include motor oil, cooking oil, greasy foods and makeup. Pretreatment is essential to prevent the stain from becoming permanent. Take care that oil-stained garments are not tumble dried before the stain is thoroughly removed. Repeat treatment may be necessary to remove all traces of the stain from the garment.

Things You'll Need

• Laundry pretreament spray
• Liquid laundry detergent

Instructions

1. Saturate the oil stain with a laundry pretreatment spray. Let the spray work on the garment for five minutes.

2. Pour liquid laundry detergent onto the stain and rub gently to work it into the stain.

3. Launder as usual using the highest temperature water that the garment will tolerate.

4. Spray the garment again with pretreatment spray, rub in detergent and launder again if any traces of oil remain.

5. Take the garment to a cleaning professional if the oil remains after repeating the stain-removal process. Industrial-grade solvents may be necessary to remove the oil stain.

References

• University of Missouri Extension: Stain Removal From Washable Fabrics
• Ohio State University Information Extension: Quick 'n Easy Stain Removal
• Fabric Link