4 Ways To Remove Grease Or Oil Stains From Clothing - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Get Grease Out of Clothes: Food Stains, Black Axel Grease, & More PDF download Download Article 4 tricks for treating and removing tough grease stains from clothes Co-authored by Safir Ali

Last Updated: August 26, 2025 Fact Checked

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  • Detergent or Soap
    • |
  • Spot Remover and Hot Water
    • |
  • Baby Powder
    • |
  • WD-40 or Lighter Fluid
    • |
  • Video
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  • Expert Q&A
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  • Tips
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  • Things You'll Need
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This article was co-authored by Safir Ali. Safir Ali is the Co-Founder and CEO of Hamper Dry Cleaning and Laundry, a startup in Houston, Texas reinventing the laundry industry. With over six years of experience launching and operating Hamper, Safir specializes in innovative ways to simplify dry cleaning using the experience from his family's business. Safir holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Texas A&M University. Hamper offers 24/7 on-demand dry cleaning and laundry through delivery and kiosk services. Hamper has been featured on the Houston Rockets, Station Houston, the Houston Business Journal, BBVA, Yahoo Finance, and Innovation Map. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 5,652,351 times.

If you have grease stains on your clothing, don't panic. There are a variety of common household products you can use to get unsightly grease stains out of your clothes so they look clean and new again.[1] Your favorite shirt will be back in the rotation in no time!

Removing Grease From Clothes with Detergent

  • Scrub dish detergent, shampoo, or additive-free soap into a lather on the stain.
  • Rinse the stain with warm water, then vinegar. Soak stubborn stains in a 1:2 vinegar water bath.
  • Wash the clothes alone with regular laundry detergent and air dry them. Repeat the steps until the stain comes out.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 4:

Dish Detergent or Shampoo or Bar Soap

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  1. Step 1 Cover the entire grease spot with liquid dish detergent. 1 Cover the entire grease spot with liquid dish detergent. Grease-fighting detergents may be helpful but are not necessary. You can use shampoo in this manner, as well, it's designed for body oils, so should work effectively in this application. Alternatively, use bar soap, any hand or body bar soap will do (make sure it hasn't got any additives that may hinder its cleaning, i.e. one like Dove would not be suitable), or for very tough grease, look for bars labeled Laundry Soap. Dampen with water (or ammonia for extra grease removal), then rub the bar onto the stain until sufficient soap has transferred to foam up amply. You can also grate the bar soap and apply the resulting powder/pieces onto the stain after wetting.[2]
    • If using colored detergent, be sure to dilute it or the detergent may stain the clothing.
    • For stubborn stains, using an old toothbrush will help you attack the stain better than you'd be able to with your hand. Old foot brushes or nail brushes can also serve, as well as small scrub brushes available for cleaning.
    • For butter and oil stains, you can use a mixture of mild dish soap and warm water.[3] Add a few drops of soap to the water, let the garment soak for about five minutes, and then rub the stain against itself gently.[4]
    • Looking for other ways to remove grease stains from your clothes? Check out wikiHow’s “How do I get grease stains out of my clothes?” forum.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Grease or Oil Stains from Clothing 2 Work foam from the soap or detergent or shampoo into the stain. You should see it dissolve. Dish detergents and laundry bar soaps have special agents that fight grease, and so does shampoo. Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Grease or Oil Stains from Clothing 3 Rinse the area with water first, then optionally, follow with a vinegar rinse. Vinegar is a natural cleaning agent used in a wide variety of applications, however, it reduces the alkalinity of soaps or detergents, making them less effective, so do not use detergents or soaps along with any vinegar. If you wish, mix one part vinegar with two parts water and soak the article of clothing in the water and vinegar, then rinse out the vinegar and use the detergent/shampoo/soap method as above.[5]
  4. Step 4 Wash the clothing... 4 Wash the clothing, alone, with laundry detergent. Follow washing instructions on the clothing label exactly.[6]
    • When ready to dry, allow the clothing to air-dry. Drying in the extremely hot mechanical dryer may cause any lingering oil or grease to set into the clothing.
  5. Step 5 Repeat steps for a persistent grease stain. 5 Repeat steps for a persistent grease stain.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 4:

Spot Remover and Hot Water

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Grease or Oil Stains from Clothing 1 Use a spot remover such as Shout to hit any grease and/or oil stains. Spray the spot remover liberally onto the area and scrub with a toothbrush.[7]
  2. Step 2 Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. 2 Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Allow the spot remover to set while you start this step.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Grease or Oil Stains from Clothing 3 Remove the boiling water from the burner and carefully pour the water onto the stains from up high. A couple things to remember as you perform this step:
    • Place your garment in a tub, washbasin, or other safe area. It's not recommended to place the garment on the floor and splatter extremely hot water all over it (and potentially your feet)
    • Try to lift up the pot of water as high as possible. This method works for two reasons:
      • The water is really hot, helping to break the grease and/or oil bonds.
      • The water forcefully hits the grease/oil stain. The higher up the water is when you pour it over the stain, the more force it will generate as it hits the clothing.
    • Be careful! You're using scalding hot water. Be sure to aim the water onto the garment. Try to avoid any splatter that might come back and hit you.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Grease or Oil Stains from Clothing 4 Repeat steps for each area of grease/oil. Turn the garment inside out and attack the stain with another round of spot remover/boiling water if the method doesn't work the first time.
  5. Step 5 Wash the clothing, alone, with laundry detergent. 5 Wash the clothing, alone, with laundry detergent. Follow washing instructions on clothing label exactly.
    • When ready to dry, allow the clothing to air-dry. Drying in the extremely hot mechanical dryer may cause any lingering oil or grease to set into the clothing.
    6. Advertisement
Method 3 Method 3 of 4:

Baby Powder

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Grease or Oil Stains from Clothing 1 Blot away any excess grease or oil with a paper towel. Try to get as much grease or oil away from the clothing as possible before you move on to the next step.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Grease or Oil Stains from Clothing 2 Cover grease or oil stain generously with baby powder. You can use generic baby powder if you like. If you don't have baby powder, try using these other absorbents:[8]
    • Cornstarch
    • Salt
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Grease or Oil Stains from Clothing 3 Remove the baby powder from the clothing with a paper towel or spoon. Do this carefully, avoiding any spillage onto other parts of the clothing.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Grease or Oil Stains from Clothing 4 Work a small amount of hand dishwashing detergent and water into stain with your thumb. Once the detergent begins to foam up, take an old toothbrush and begin rubbing the stain using circular motions.
    • Be sure to attack the stain from both sides of the fabric (inside the shirt and outside the shirt, for example).
  5. Step 5 Wash the clothing, alone, with laundry detergent. 5 Wash the clothing, alone, with laundry detergent. Follow the washing instructions on the clothing label exactly.
    • When ready to dry, allow the clothing to air dry. Drying in the extremely hot mechanical dryer may cause any lingering oil or grease to set into the clothing.
    6. Advertisement
Method 4 Method 4 of 4:

WD-40 or Lighter Fluid

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Grease or Oil Stains from Clothing 1 Instead of detergent, spray a little WD-40 or lighter fluid onto the clothing. WD-40 is effective in removing grease from some surfaces, as are some lighter fluids.
    • Perform a spot test on an inconspicuous area of your clothing before attacking the stain with the WD-40 or lighter fluid. It's better to be safe than sorry.
  2. Step 2 Let the WD-40 or lighter fluid set into the clothing for 20 minutes. 2 Let the WD-40 or lighter fluid set into the clothing for 20 minutes.
  3. Step 3 Wash out the WD-40 or lighter fluid by thoroughly soaking the clothing in warm water. 3 Wash out the WD-40 or lighter fluid by thoroughly soaking the clothing in warm water.
  4. Step 4 Wash the clothing, alone, with laundry detergent. 4 Wash the clothing, alone, with laundry detergent. Follow the washing instructions on the clothing label exactly.
    • When ready to dry, allow the clothing to air dry. Drying in the extremely hot mechanical dryer may cause any lingering oil or grease to set into the clothing.
  5. Step 5 Finished. 5 Finished.
    6. Advertisement

Join the Discussion...

How do I get grease stains out of my clothes? WikiPandaTrader571 WikiPandaTrader571 So, I was cooking earlier today and I didn’t realize it at the time, but I got this big splash of bacon grease on my favorite shirt. The stain is kind of fresh but not that fresh, if that makes sense? Google said I should use dish soap, but I really want to make sure I pick a solution here that will actually work since I genuinely love this shirt. What should I do? Read More Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann House Cleaning Professionals Cornstarch or baking powder can help absorb grease stains from fabric. I've tried it and both work really well. I think cornstarch works better. Just cover the stain with the powder and leave it overnight to absorb the grease. Read More Elias Weston Elias Weston Cleaning Specialist Firstly, it’s important to be aware that stains are much easier to remove when they’re fresh. If the stain is old, try to remove as much of the dry, excess material with a soft-bristled toothbrush as you can. Check the manufacturer’s label for specific care instructions because some materials can be treated with water, while others may require special cleaning products. To pre-treat the stain before cleaning it, soak a clean cloth in cold water, and gently blot the area. Then, make a paste by thoroughly mixing 1/2 cup of baking soda with 1 cup of liquid dish soap and 4 cups of water. Dip a clean cloth into the solution, and soak the affected area. Take another clean, dry cloth and blot the area to lift the stain. Read More See all 10 Replies and Read Discussion

Expert Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question How do you get a grease stain out of jeans? Rani Gorgis Rani Gorgis Laundry & Cleaning Specialist Rani Gorgis is a Laundry and Cleaning Specialist and the Owner of Park Blvd Laundry & Dry Cleaners in San Diego, California. With several years of experience in the laundry and cleaning industry, Rani specializes in dry cleaning, wash-n-fold, shirt laundry, and servicing smoke-damaged clothes. He holds a BS in Accounting and a CPA certification. Rani Gorgis Rani Gorgis Laundry & Cleaning Specialist Expert Answer Mix some baking soda with a little bit of warm water. Using circular motions, brush the mixture into the stain with a small bristle brush until you see the stain subside. Then, wash the jeans in a warm water cycle with regular laundry detergent. You can also add vinegar to the wash cycle to make sure that the stain is completely removed. To finish things off, dry the jeans on a low heat dryer cycle. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 20 Helpful 21
  • Question How do you get rid of thick oil stains? Rani Gorgis Rani Gorgis Laundry & Cleaning Specialist Rani Gorgis is a Laundry and Cleaning Specialist and the Owner of Park Blvd Laundry & Dry Cleaners in San Diego, California. With several years of experience in the laundry and cleaning industry, Rani specializes in dry cleaning, wash-n-fold, shirt laundry, and servicing smoke-damaged clothes. He holds a BS in Accounting and a CPA certification. Rani Gorgis Rani Gorgis Laundry & Cleaning Specialist Expert Answer Apply baking soda to the stain and rub it in vigorously. Let it sit for half an hour and then brush it away. You can also spray a mixture of warm water and vinegar directly on the stain—just let it sit for a few minutes and then drop the item in the wash with warm water and regular laundry detergent. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 19 Helpful 26
  • Question How do I get butter stains out of clothes? Rani Gorgis Rani Gorgis Laundry & Cleaning Specialist Rani Gorgis is a Laundry and Cleaning Specialist and the Owner of Park Blvd Laundry & Dry Cleaners in San Diego, California. With several years of experience in the laundry and cleaning industry, Rani specializes in dry cleaning, wash-n-fold, shirt laundry, and servicing smoke-damaged clothes. He holds a BS in Accounting and a CPA certification. Rani Gorgis Rani Gorgis Laundry & Cleaning Specialist Expert Answer Wipe away as much of the stain as possible with a paper towel. Use mild dish soap and warm water to wash the stain in the sink, and then place the item in the washer with regular laundry detergent on a warm water cycle. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 27 Helpful 17
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Reader Videos

Tips

  • Baking soda and water can also help remove sunblock stains. Just make a paste, scrub it in, and wash the garment normally. Thanks Helpful 10 Not Helpful 9

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
  • Soak the spot in white spirit and wash normally. If it’s baked in, scrub it with white spirit and liquid soap using toothbrush, then leave overnight and wash it normally next day. It might take a few repetitions if it’s really tough.
  • Don't use excess soap or detergent; it may fade the product's color.
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Video

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Things You'll Need

  • liquid hand dishwashing detergent (preferably clear)
  • white vinegar.
  • old toothbrush (optional)

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References

  1. ↑ Rani Gorgis. Laundry & Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes/stain-removal-guide
  3. ↑ Rani Gorgis. Laundry & Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ Safir Ali. Professional Dry Cleaner. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/how-get-stains-out-almost-anything-ncna885806
  6. ↑ Rani Gorgis. Laundry & Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview
  7. ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes/stain-removal-guide
  8. ↑ https://www.getsetclean.in/in/en/laundry/remove-oil-stains-from-your-clothes.html

About This Article

Safir Ali Co-authored by: Safir Ali Professional Dry Cleaner This article was co-authored by Safir Ali. Safir Ali is the Co-Founder and CEO of Hamper Dry Cleaning and Laundry, a startup in Houston, Texas reinventing the laundry industry. With over six years of experience launching and operating Hamper, Safir specializes in innovative ways to simplify dry cleaning using the experience from his family's business. Safir holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Texas A&M University. Hamper offers 24/7 on-demand dry cleaning and laundry through delivery and kiosk services. Hamper has been featured on the Houston Rockets, Station Houston, the Houston Business Journal, BBVA, Yahoo Finance, and Innovation Map. This article has been viewed 5,652,351 times. 34 votes - 84% Co-authors: 25 Updated: August 26, 2025 Views: 5,652,351 Categories: Grease and Fat Stains Article SummaryX

To remove fresh grease or oil stains from clothing, first blot the stains on both sides with a cloth or paper towel to soak up as much of the oil as possible. Then, apply dish soap to the stains and let it sit for 30 minutes, which will help loosen the remaining oil so it comes out in the wash. Finally, machine wash your garment with laundry detergent. If the stains are still there, repeat the process. Don’t dry your garment until the stains are gone since the heat will cause the stains to set. For grease or oil stains that are already set, you can remove them with WD-40, baking soda, and dish soap. First, place a piece of cardboard under the stains so they don’t transfer to another part of your garment. Then, spray each stain with WD-40 to loosen the oil so it’s easier to remove. Next, pour a liberal amount of baking soda over the stains, and scrub it in with an old toothbrush. The baking soda will absorb the oil so the stains are easier to remove. Keep pouring more baking soda and scrubbing it into the stains until no more clumps form. Now, brush off the excess baking soda, and pour dish soap onto the stain. Work the dish soap into the stain with the toothbrush, then let it sit for 30 minutes. Finally, machine wash your garment on a normal setting with laundry detergent. To learn how to use baby powder or a stain remover to get rid of tough grease stains, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Anonymous

    Anonymous

    Jun 6, 2016

    "I work at a laundromat, and used the dishwashing method to remove axle grease from a blanket. It worked perfectly...." more
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Safir Ali Co-authored by: Safir Ali Professional Dry Cleaner Co-authors: 25 Updated: August 26, 2025 Views: 5,652,351 84% of readers found this article helpful. 34 votes - 84% Click a star to add your vote Anonymous

Anonymous

Jun 6, 2016

"I work at a laundromat, and used the dishwashing method to remove axle grease from a blanket. It worked perfectly...." more Sumathi Kotra

Sumathi Kotra

Aug 25, 2016

"I rubbed with lemon on grease stained cloth, after that I applied vim soap, then I used toothbrush to rub on stain...." more Anonymous

Anonymous

Aug 1, 2017

"Used good old fashioned Ivory, still the only dish soap we use! Works great to wash dogs, especially white ones, as..." more Annamay Cendejas

Annamay Cendejas

May 20, 2017

"This article successfully showed me many different ways to take the grease stain off my jeans. " Rated this article: Tara Hendry

Tara Hendry

Sep 26, 2016

"I hate oil/grease stains, so now I am glad I know these methods, which are suitable and work!" Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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