The one staple we probably all have in our kitchen in some form is oil to cook with! This makes it quite a common stain, with measuring for baking, sautéing in a skillet, and crafting salad dressings all offering risks for spillage. If you end up with cooking oil stains on clothes, no need to panic! Here’s how to remove cooking oil stains from clothes.

What Causes Cooking Oil Stains?

Cooking oil stains - the messy aftermath of deep frying, sauteing, or mixing up a salad dressing! Odds are you’ve dealt with oil stains before, but have you ever wondered why it’s so hard to get cooking oil out of clothes? Cooking oils are made up of three fatty acid chains. When these chains come into contact with your clothes, they form a bond with the fibers and get stuck. To make matters worse, oils are hydrophobic, which means they repel water. Cooking oils stains on clothes can’t be rinsed out; rather, they need to be broken down by an enzyme-based cleaning agent.

How to Remove Cooking Oil Stains from Clothes

What you’ll need: Ultra Concentrated Stain & Odor Laundry Laundry Detergent, Stain & Odor Laundry Pods, Oxi Booster Pods

Step 1: Remove Excess

First, it’s time to remove any excess oil from your clothes. Use a Swedish Dish Cloth or kitchen rag to gently blot any excess oil away from the fabric.

Step 2: Fill Sink or Basin

Dampen stain and add one pump of Ultra Concentrated Stain & Odor Laundry Detergent. Allow it to sit for a few minutes, then rinse the stain in cool water, massaging it between your fingers until it begins to lift. The enzymes in the detergent should break down the proteins and oils that make up the stain. Repeat as needed.

Step 3: Wash

Now that the stain has been removed, wash the item in the hottest water permitted by the care label. We recommend using a Stain & Odor Laundry Detergent Pod for extra stain fighting. If any slight staining remains, you can also add an additional Oxi Booster Pod to the wash.

Step 4: Dry

Let your garment dry! Be sure that the stain is completely removed before putting the item in the dryer, as the dryer’s high heat can cause stains to set permanently. We recommend leaving your garment out to air dry, preferably in the sunshine for extra bleaching power. After following all of these steps, your clothes should be as good as new!

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions about how to remove cooking oil stains from clothes? We’re here to help.

Does Cooking Oil Permanently Stain Clothes?

Cooking oil can permanently stain your clothes if the stain is not treated quickly or properly. Be sure to treat your stain with an enzyme-based cleaner as soon as possible in order to fully get cooking oil out of clothes.

How Do You Get Cooking Oil Out of Clothes That Have Been Washed and Dried?

Drying clothing with oil stains can help set the stain into the fabric, making it more difficult to remove. However, not all hope is lost! Apply an enzyme based cleaner, like our Ultra Concentrated Stain & Odor Laundry Detergent, directly to the stain and allow it to sit. The enzymes should break down the oils in the stain and allow it to be lifted and washed away. You may need to repeat this process several times depending on the severity of the stain and how long it has been left to sit.

How Does Vinegar Remove Oil Stains from Clothes?

Looking to learn how to get cooking oil out of clothes using items in your pantry? Vinegar is a great natural astringent that can help disintegrate an oil stain. Soak the stain in white vinegar, then gently scrub the fabric to remove the stain. Vinegar also serves as a deodorizer to remove any strong oil smells!