How do I wash grease and oil stains out of fabric?

Anna Bo
by Anna Bo

I have the new sweatshirts from Christmas, that look like they are polyester and cotton mix from underarmour that my husband trashed them the first time he wore them and I cannot get the oil/grease stains out of it.

  8 answers
  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Feb 06, 2019

    Try soaking with dish soap and rub gently let sit for as long as possible rinse with cold water hot water will set the stain

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Feb 06, 2019

    Hi Anna,

    What I do is spray with the pre wash from the dollar tree and let set. From there wash in hot water. Inspect the clothing for spots after washing. If the spots are still there, repeat the process, do not dry in a clothes dryer, the heat from that sets the grease spots in. Best to you.

  • Rymea Rymea on Feb 06, 2019

    I use Shout advanced, blue bottle. Spray it on and let it sit overnight then wash as usual. Check to see if the stain is gone. If not don't put the garment in the dryer. Air dry and try again.

    Walmart also sells little bottles of "Carbona, stain devils". They are cheap. #7 is for motor oil.

  • Sandra Christian Sandra Christian on Feb 06, 2019

    This is easy, peasy. Put dawn over the oil/grease stain and wash. If you want to be aggressive, spray the stain with WD-40, then cover both with BLUE dawn dishwashing soap and wash...I always wash in hot water. Good luck

  • Jankee Jankee on Feb 06, 2019

    rub shampoo on the stain then wash. Grandma’s stain remover works well too.

  • Jo Jo on Feb 06, 2019

    Sprinkle corn starch on the oil/grease stains and let them sit. Maybe sprinkle some inside and outside--as in between the layers and on top. I cover the areas (fold the clothes) so the powder doesn't get disturbed. I usually let mine sit for a couple of days and then take them outside, shake out the powder and the grease stain is almost always gone. Repeat if necessary. I've also seen hairspray listed as a cleaner and I know it removes ink very well so perhaps that could also be helpful if there's more than just oil on your clothes.

    • See 1 previous
    • Jo Jo on Feb 06, 2019

      Good luck! It has saved many pieces of nice clothing over the years. I have used body powder but I have learned it's likely not very safe so I switched to corn starch. Best wishes!

  • Lisa Lisa on Feb 06, 2019

    soak in dawn dishwashing liquid after treating each spot with it. Or spray each spot with WD 40 and then wash.

  • Wanda Wanda on Mar 31, 2021

    Lillie, my son is a chef and I had a recipe to use on his jackets. He always went to work looking like he had a new jacket. I used 1 gallon hot water,1/4 cup bleach and 1/2 cup automatic dish washer powder. Soak the item is this mixture and then wash the clothes in the washer. It never failed me.q¹