Source: Photo by Ron Lach
No matter how you slice it, grease stains suck, especially when they're on your favorite thrifted dress or vintage blouse. Whether it's a drop of salad dressing or oil dripping off your Friday night pizza, we've all been there.
Oil is notorious for being difficult to lift from clothes and can set in if you don't move quickly. Thankfully, there's a solution to (almost) every stain, so no need to panic.
Below, we'll walk you through a six-step method for removing grease spots. Learn how to get oil out of clothes to keep your garments looking and feeling fresh.
Even though oil is tricky to remove from fabrics, following the right cleaning steps can prevent stains from setting. Here’s what makes it so tough to get rid of:
Thankfully, whether you spill oil on your white sneakers or thrifted leather jacket, acting quickly and using the right products can help you save the day. All you need is a plan and a little elbow grease.
If you spilled oil on your favorite thrifted item from ThredUp, don't worry—we've got your back. Follow these six steps to learn how to lift oil stains and get your favorite clothing ready to wear again (or sell online).
The faster you address oil stains on shirts and other garments, the more likely you’ll get them out. Use a paper towel or clean cloth to gently blot the residue—this removes excess oil and preps the fabric for the next step.
Pro tip: Don't scrub! Scrubbing can spread the oil and push it deeper into the fabric, making it harder to remove.
Use a toothbrush or your fingers to massage a few drops of clear dish detergent into the oil stain. Dish soap fights grease, breaking down the oil and lifting it from the fabric.
Pro tip: Let the soap sit on the garment for 5–10 minutes before starting the next step.
Run water through the treated area to remove the dish soap and any loosened grease.
Pro tip: Warm water dissolves oils more effectively than cold, so check the garment's care directions and use the warmest water permitted for the fabric type.
To pretreat your clothes, use an enzyme-based stain remover. Apply it generously and let it sit for 15–20 minutes to break down the oil.
Pro tips: Test the stain remover on an inconspicuous area of the fabric before treating the stain to avoid discoloration and damage. For motor oil or any other grease with a strong scent, sprinkle baking soda over the stain and let it sit for 5–10 minutes to deodorize the area. Scrape the baking soda off before the next step.
Wash the garment according to its care label and with a stain-fighting laundry detergent. Avoid using bleach on colored fabrics, as this can cause damage.
Pro tip: Add baking soda to the wash cycle for even more odor control and stain-fighting power.
Remove the clothing item from the washing machine and hang it, since the heat from a dryer can set any remaining oil in the fabric.
Pro tip: Hang the garment in a well-ventilated area so it dries faster. Once it's completely dry, check to see if the stain is still there, and repeat steps one through five if the oil remains.
For stubborn oil stains that won't budge, give the garment a whole new life. Upcycle damaged clothes by repurposing the fabric for DIY projects like creating cleaning cloths, donating clothes that are still in wearable condition, or participating in a garment recycling program like Terracycle. Fun fact: According to the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association, 95% of textiles are recyclable.
If you need help with heavy stains, check out Repaired by ThredUp. We've teamed up with refurbishment experts to mend clothing, keeping it in circulation and—most importantly—out of landfills.
And once it’s time to replace your favorite stained garments, check out ThredUp, which is home to a wide range of high-quality, preowned clothing. We're on a mission to help you maintain a guilt-free wardrobe that's better for your wallet and the planet.
Use ThredUp's improved Search feature to find sustainable items that suit your style. And if you need to make room in your closet for more finds, try our Clean Out kits. All you have to do is send us your clothes, and we'll sell and ship them for you. Plus, you'll earn thrifting credit you can use to refresh your look.
Oil discoloration can be permanent, but it doesn’t have to be. To increase your chance of removing the stain, act quickly and use products like dish soap and enzyme-based stain removers to break down the oil. The faster you treat the fabric, the more likely you'll be able to clean it.
White vinegar is a degreaser, making it a helpful addition to your stain-removal toolkit. Mix four parts water with one part vinegar and apply the mixture to the discolored area. Blot the fabric dry before treating it with a stain remover and washing it normally.
Baking soda is a natural absorbent that can help remove grease from clothes. To try this method, saturate the entire stain with baking soda and let it sit for at least 30 minutes (for best results, an hour). Use a toothbrush to gently rub the baking soda in, and repeat a few times if necessary before moving on to the second step listed above.
Removing oil from a dress requires a gentle touch. Always check the care label to see if the garment must be dry-cleaned or handled in a specific way. If you can treat the dress at home, blot the excess oil with a soft cloth and follow steps two through six above, taking care not to rub or spread the stain. When cleaning, use stain remover and laundry detergent specifically designed for delicate materials.
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