The Best Ways to Remove Set-in Grease and Oil Stains From Your Clothes

Taking care of a grease or oil stain immediately is Laundry 101. Even if you don’t know how to handle every other type of stains and spill, understand that these really can’t wait, and that dish soap will come in handy to deal with them.

Unfortunately, these stains can be sneaky, because when the area around them is wet, it’s hard to see whether the grease is actually gone. And if you then throw it in the laundry pile, you can inadvertently set the stain by drying it in a hot dryer.

If this has happened to you, you’ll probably find that the dish soap trick no longer works. Fortunately, there are a few more methods you can try. Here’s how laundry experts suggest removing set-in grease and oil stains from clothing. (Note: These methods effectiveness may vary depending on the size of the stain, what was spilled, and the clothing material involved. If one doesn’t work, you can always try another.)

Test the method first

Before trying any of the methods below, Karina Toner, the operations manager at Spekless Cleaning in Washington, D.C., recommends testing the solutions on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric to ensure they won’t cause any damage or discoloration.

Scrub washing soda paste

Because you’ll be working with washing soda—which is not the same thing as baking soda—Kathy Cohoon, an operations manager at Two Maids, recommends wearing gloves and working in a well-ventilated area. Once you’re ready, make a paste of washing soda mixed with warm water, and apply it to the stain. Allow the paste to sit for up to 30 minutes—depending on how much grease was spilled—then use a soft toothbrush or sponge to gently scrub the paste into the garment in circular motions. Next, rinse it with warm water, and repeat the process if needed, before allowing the piece of clothing to thoroughly dry, says Cohoon.

Rub in some shampoo for oily hair

As the director of Workwear Gurus, which specializes in industrial clothing, Chris Gamlin and his customers have dealt with their fair share of stains and grime. He often recommends using shampoo formulated for oily hair to deal with set-in grease stains, advising customers to apply it to the stain, rub it in, and let it sit for a while before washing. Depending on the stain, you may need to repeat the process.

Coat with cornstarch

According to Gamlin, cornstarch can be used to draw some of the oil out of the garment. He recommends adding some water to cornstarch to make a paste, then gently rubbing it into the material with a cloth or soft-bristled toothbrush, before leaving to dry, then trying another wash cycle.

Meanwhile, Cohoon has a slightly different method. She suggests sprinkling cornstarch over the stain, then blotting with a dry cloth, and allowing it to sit for up to five hours before washing it.

Mix dish soap and hydrogen peroxide

If dish soap alone didn’t do the trick, try mixing it with some hydrogen peroxide, says Karina Toner, the operations manager at Spekless Cleaning, a cleaning service in Washington, D.C. Apply the mixture to the stain as a pre-treatment, giving it time to work before tossing it in the wash.

Mix dish soap and baking soda

A variation on the method above, Toner also recommends mixing dish soap and baking soda to form a paste, applying it to the stain, and giving it time to break down the stubborn grease before washing it again.

Try rubbing alcohol

According to Toner, rubbing alcohol is excellent for dissolving oil. Dab a small amount onto the stain using a clean cloth, then let it sit for at least 30 minutes before washing.

Break it down with WD-40

It may sound counterintuitive, but both Toner and Jennifer Rodriguez, chief hygiene officer at Pro Housekeepers, recommend using WD-40 to break down set-in grease and oil stains. It’s best to proceed with caution, and place a piece of cardboard inside the garment, so the WD-40 doesn’t bleed through to the other side. Then Rodriguez suggests spraying a little on the stain, waiting 30 minutes, then washing it.

Absorb the stain with talcum powder or chalk

Like cornstarch, talcum powder can be used to absorb grease, says Rodriguez. She suggests sprinkling it on, letting sit for a few hours, then brushing it off and laundering as usual. Similarly, Rodriguez suggests rubbing white chalk on a grease stain to help absorb the oil, then letting it sit for a bit before washing it.

Use the right tools

As several sets of instructions above indicate, using the right tools—in this case, a soft cloth, sponge, or toothbrush—can make a big difference. While they provide the necessary abrasion needed to tackle the stained area, Toner stresses the importance of using a delicate touch to avoid damaging the clothing.

Let the garment air dry

After you think you’ve removed the set-in grease or oil stain from an item of clothing, then wash it, Toner and Rodriguez advise against putting it in the dryer, and air-drying it instead. Once it’s dry, Toner suggests scrutinizing it for any lingering signs of the stain before wearing, washing, or drying it again.