How to Get Engine Oil Out of Clothes: 7 Proven Techniques That Work

How to get engine oil out of clothes involves acting quickly to blot off excess oil, then applying dish soap, rubbing alcohol, or a commercial stain remover to break down the grease. Wash the garment in warm water afterward, and repeat the process if necessary to completely remove the stain.

You’ve got an oily stain on your clothes – and it comes from an engine. Stains such as these can be incredibly difficult to get out from fabric. Engine oil residue invariably binds to fabric fibers – and rest assured it will set fast. That’s why it needs to be addressed as quickly as possible. This guide will show you the steps you need to take to remove the oil so you can restore your clothes. We will advise you on best practices to remove oil from clothes.

Removing an oil stain can be an easy process if it is a fresh stain. Older engine oil stains can be more difficult to remove but it is not impossible with the right techniques. The cleanup of clothes with engine oil stains is not a simple cleanup, but these techniques will ensure removal.

Let’s get to it!

How to Get Engine Oil Out of Clothes

There are several methods to remove engine oil from clothes. These are –

1. Act Fast – Importance Of Quick Action

Speed is important when dealing with oil stains. The longer oil stains, the more likely it will be that you can never remove the stain. Engine oil is known to sink deep into the fabric making it impossible to remove the longer you wait. Always be the first to start with the stains that you notice first.

Follow the steps:

• Blot The Stain: Use a clean blot the oil using a clean paper towel, or a cloth. Do not rub the stain. Rubbing the stain will make it go deeper into the fabric.
• Remove Excess Oil: Removing excess oil means you’ve already blotted some of it, but now assess the size of the stain for covering surrounding areas. Use an old towel cover to protect the surrounding fabric.

Acting quickly gives you a higher chance of lifting a stain.

2. Dish Soap: Your Solution

Dish soap is one of the most accessible solutions for tackling grease stains, including engine oil. Dish soaps break down grease which makes them great for tackling moss stains on fabrics.

Now let’s learn how to remove engine oil from your clothes using dish soap:

• Apply Dish Soap: Pour a small amount of liquid dish soap directly onto the oil stain. Be sure to cover the stain with soap.
• Soak It in: with your fingers, or a soft brush, rub the soap into the fabric. Be sure to go gentle as harsh rubs can damage the fibers of fabrics.
• Just Soak: Allow the stain to sit for about 10-15 minutes to allow the dish soap to do its thing and break down the stain.
• Washing the Item: Once the dish soap has had ample time to work, wash the item using the warmest water safe for the fabric. Use the care label as your guide to determine what water temperature is suitable for the item.
• If No Success, Repeat: If the stain remains visible after the first wash, repeat the steps outlined before putting the item in the dryer. Engine oil is a type of oil stain dish soap is known to work exceptionally well on, as it cuts through grease efficiently.

3. Natural Absorbent: Baking Soda

Baking soda is known for its versatility and can be used on a variety of stains, including oil. When it comes to grease stains, it can work to lift the stain off the fabric through its natural absorbent properties.

Check out the steps below to learn how to use baking soda to get out engine oil stains.

• Baking Soda Sprinkle: Go ahead and generously sprinkle baking soda over the top of the stain. Make sure to cover the entire stained area.
• Baking Soda Press: Using a spoon or your fingers, you can gently press down the baking soda to the fabric. This will help absorb the oil.
• Let It Sit: You should let the baking soda sit for at least 30 minutes. For some situations, leaving baking soda for 1 hour might also be helpful.
• Brush Off the Powder: You can use a brush to remove the baking soda, but be sure to do so gently.
• Wash The Garment: When you’re finished brushing as much of the baking soda off as you can, put the clothing into a washing machine. It is best to do the wash when the water is warm and some detergent is added.

Baking soda is a great option, especially for delicate fabrics. Stronger cleaning agents could damage the fabric, so baking soda is a better option.

4. Cornstarch or Baby Powder – Effective Alternatives

If you do not happen to have baking soda on hand, you could always use cornstarch or baby powder. These two products are great at soaking up engine oil stains because they are also absorbent. These are the steps to take to use the products:

• Apply Powder: You should generously sprinkle the baby powder or cornstarch over the oil stain.
• Press the Powder In: Use your fingers or even a spoon to push the powder into the stain but do so very gently.
• Wait for Absorption: You can wait for the powder to fully absorb the oil for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Brush Off Powder: Wait for the oil to be absorbed, then carefully remove the powder off the fabric.
• Wash the Fabric: Use detergent on the fabric and wash it in warm water.

Cornstarch and baby powder are common household items and are quite inexpensive.

5. Rubbing Alcohol – A Solvent That Breaks Down Oil

Rubbing Alcohol can easily dissolve the grease and oil that are present in stubborn and deep-set engine stains. Here’s the process of how to use rubbing alcohol –

• Apply Rubbing Alcohol: Use a clean cloth or a cotton ball to dab some rubbing alcohol on the engine oil stain. Ensure that the entire stain is saturated with alcohol.
• Blot the Stain: With a clean cloth, gently blot the area that you’ve treated in order to remove the oil.
• Let It Sit: Give the rubbing alcohol some time to dissolve the oil—about 10-15 minutes should be sufficient.
• Wash the Clothing: Once the soaking time is done, wash the fabric with detergent in warm water.
• Repeat if Needed: If after washing the stain is still visible, you should repeat this process until you can’t see the stain.

Rubbing alcohol is one option for getting out deep set stains on clothing. Before using a rubbing alcohol, however, it is important to check for any signs of damage on the fabric to see if it is safe to use.

6. The Big Guns: Commercial Stain Removers

Maybe you’ve also tried some life hacks and they didn’t completely work. In that case, you might want to use a commercial stain remover that is designed specifically for oil and grease stains. These types of stain removers are more specialized because they use more powerful types of stain removing chemicals to target the oils and grease.

Here are the instructions for using a commercial stain remover:

• Apply the Stain Remover: Instructions on the stain remover label should be followed. Many stain removers will tell you to apply the stain remover directly on the stain.
• Let It Sit: Most labels will have a recommended time in which you should let the stain remover sit, and this is to allow the stain remover to break down the oil.
• Wash the Fabric: Once the stain remover has had enough time to work, you will want to wash the piece of clothing in the hottest water it can handle.
• Repeat if Necessary: If there is still a stain after you’ve washed the item, you may need to reapply the stain remover and wash the item again.

You need to check for fabric compatibility on the label, but there are commercial stain removers that are quite effective.

7. Washing Machine Job – Per Owner’s Manual

When you’ve successfully treated the engine oil stain, you can wash the clothing. The engine oil can be broken down easier by the hot water. Engine oil is a type of oil based substance. However, not all fabrics can be washed with hot water. There is a care label on all fabric.

These are the generic rules of washing the stain before oil can be removed:

• Care Labels: Always check the care labels first. In cotton and polyester, hot water is usually tolerated. In silk and wool, hot water is not tolerated.
• Wash with Detergent: Wash with the grease fighting detergent. This makes it extremely likely that all the oil is gone.

8. Repeat if Needed

One treatment might not be enough to get an oil stain. if an engine oil stain remains after the first wash, it is okay to repeat it. Just remember to check the garment after each wash to see if the stain is still there. If it is still there, another treatment of dish soap, rubbing alcohol, or stain remover will probably do it.

How to Stop Getting More Engine Oil Stains

To avoid the impact and stress of cleaning oil stains, the best option is to try to never have the stains occur. Here are a few tips to help with minimizing oil stains:

• Old Clothes: Engine work can get messy, so it’s best to wear old clothes that you don’t mind ruining.
• Get a Tarp: Instead of using a paper mat, use a tarp to catch engine work spills and anything drops of oil.
• Fast Action: If you make an oil spill, place a cloth or paper towel on it to remove the oil quickly before it soaks through.

Related Article
How to Check Engine Oil Like a Pro
How to Dispose of Engine Oil
Which Engine Oil for My Car

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some FAQs about getting engine oil out of clothes

1. How do I get oil stains out of clothes that have not come out with any other method?

If other methods have not worked, you can use rubbing alcahol or commercial stain removers. These will break the oil down better than other methods.

2. Will regular laundry detergent get oil out of clothes?

Some degreasing detergents or dish soap are more effective, but regular laundry detergents will also work.

3. Will baking soda get oil stains out of clothes?

Yes. The baking soda will absorb some of the oil, and after your garment is washed it will no longer have the oil stains.

4. Should I use a dryer after removing engine oil stains from clothes?

Using a dryer is not recommended until the stain is removed. It is possible that the stain will become permanent because the dryer sets stains.

5. What’s the fastest method to remove engine oil from clothes?

To remove engine oil stains quickly, blot the excess oil, then apply dish soap or laundry detergent, then wash the item in warm water immediately.

Conclusion

Getting oil out of clothes can seem hard, but with some effort and possibly the right materials, you can get your clothes back to normal. You can use dish soap, baking soda, cornstarch, or commercial materials. Be patient and act as quickly as you can. Different materials may respond to different methods, and you can repeat the process as needed. With the right materials and a little effort, you can get any oil stains out of your clothes.