How to Get Grease and Oil Out of Clothes
How to get grease and oil out of clothes: blot off excess oil and cover the spot with baking soda or cornstarch to absorb it, then work a few drops of grease-cutting dish soap (or liquid laundry detergent) into the stain and let it sit 10–15 minutes. Rinse from the back of the fabric with the warmest water the care label allows, launder as usual, then air-dry and check before machine-drying. For set-in grease, apply an enzyme-based pre-treatment or heavy-duty detergent for 30 minutes, or as the product label directs, before washing again. Do not use dish soap inside the washing machine — pre-treat and rinse it out first.
- blot excess and cover with baking soda or cornstarch to absorb the oil before washing.
- Scrape or blot off excess oil.
- Work a few drops of grease-cutting dish soap (or liquid laundry detergent) into the stain.
- Let it sit 10–15 minutes.
- Rinse from the back of the fabric with the warmest water the care label allows.
- Launder as usual, then air-dry and check before machine-drying.
Don’t do this
- Do not use dish soap inside the washing machine — pre-treat and rinse it out first.
Sources: The Kitchn; King University stain removal guide (PDF); Iowa State University Extension (AnswerLine); Dawn
Leather and suede: Wipe gently with a barely-damp cloth; don't saturate. Condition leather afterward.
Carpet and upholstery: Blot only — don't saturate the fabric or the padding/backing; air-dry completely.
How to get set-in grease out of clothes
Old or set-in grease needs an enzyme pre-treatment before washing. Never machine-dry until the stain is gone — heat sets most stains.
- Apply an enzyme-based pre-treatment or heavy-duty detergent to the stain.
- Let it work for 30 minutes, or as the product label directs.
- Launder in the warmest water the care label allows.
- Air-dry and check before machine-drying.
Don’t do this
- Never machine-dry until the stain is gone.
Sources: The Kitchn; The Spruce
How to get oil out of jeans and cotton
Cotton and denim both use the dish soap pretreatment — see grease on cotton and grease on denim. Most stain methods apply; always check the care label first. Indigo dye can bleed — always test treatments first.
- blot excess and cover with baking soda or cornstarch to absorb the oil before washing.
- Scrape or blot off excess oil.
- Work a few drops of grease-cutting dish soap (or liquid laundry detergent) into the stain.
- Let it sit 10–15 minutes.
- Rinse from the back of the fabric with the warmest water the care label allows.
- Launder as usual, then air-dry and check before machine-drying.
Don’t do this
- Do not use dish soap inside the washing machine — pre-treat and rinse it out first.
Sources: The Kitchn; King University stain removal guide (PDF); Iowa State University Extension (AnswerLine); Dawn
How to get grease out of clothes after washing
If the stain survived the wash, don't dry it. Cover it with baking soda, then use an enzyme pre-treatment and wash again in the warmest safe water.
- Apply an enzyme-based pre-treatment or heavy-duty detergent to the stain.
- Let it work for 30 minutes, or as the product label directs.
- Launder in the warmest water the care label allows.
- Air-dry and check before machine-drying.
Don’t do this
- Never machine-dry until the stain is gone.
Sources: The Kitchn; The Spruce
Products that help
Product categories named in the steps above.
- Grease-cutting dish soap. A few drops worked into the stain as a pre-treatment. Rinse it out; do not use it inside the washing machine.
- Baking soda or cornstarch. Covers a fresh oil spot to absorb the oil before washing.
- Enzyme pre-treatment. For set-in grease or a stain that survived the wash: let it work for 30 minutes, or as the product label directs.
For other materials, use the lookup tool below.
Look up Grease and cooking oil on your material
Pick a stain and material above, then press “Show treatment”.
How to remove grease and cooking oil stains from specific materials
Frequently asked questions
Why doesn't water alone work on grease?
Oil repels water. Dish soap breaks the oil into droplets water can carry away — that's why it's the first step.
The stain survived the wash — now what?
Don't dry it. Cover with baking soda, then use an enzyme pre-treatment and wash again in the warmest safe water.
Can I use dish soap in the washing machine?
No — use it only as a pre-treatment and rinse it out. Too many suds can damage the machine.
How do you get old or set-in grease out of clothes?
Apply an enzyme-based pre-treatment or heavy-duty detergent, let it work for 30 minutes or as the product label directs, launder in the warmest water the care label allows, then air-dry and check. Never machine-dry until the stain is gone.
How do you get cooking oil out of clothes?
Blot off excess oil, cover the spot with baking soda or cornstarch, work a few drops of grease-cutting dish soap into the stain, let it sit 10–15 minutes, rinse from the back with the warmest water the care label allows, and launder as usual.
Safety rules for every treatment
- Test every treatment in an inconspicuous area first — some treatments can fade dyes or damage finishes.
- Blot a wet stain; never rub it. Rubbing pushes the stain deeper into fibers.
- Check the garment's care label and follow it — skip any step the label prohibits.
- Never put the item in the dryer until the stain is completely gone; heat sets most stains.
- Never mix ammonia with chlorine bleach — the fumes are toxic and dangerous.
- Never use chlorine bleach on rust — it can intensify the stain.
- Rubbing alcohol is flammable and can fade some dyes; spot-test first and ventilate the area.
- Acetone dissolves acetate, triacetate, and modacrylic fabrics — check the fabric label first.
- Use cold water first on blood and other protein stains; hot water sets them.
- When in doubt — a valuable, vintage, or delicate item — take it to a professional cleaner instead.