Last Updated on 8 months by Susan Mayrich
Are you wondering how to get engine oil out of clothes? In six easy ways, you can; these things you will know as you delve deeper. Engine oil is a really slimy substance that can be difficult to get out of clothes, but it’ll come out easier than you might be hoping.

A lot of people say that once an item of clothing comes into contact with motor oil, it’s been chemically changed and it’s going to be difficult at best and impossible at worst to get engine oil stains out of your clothes.
And claim that the best thing to do is just throw away the item and buy a new one or prevent getting engine oil on your clothes in the first place. This article will provide you with methods of how to get engine oil off of your clothes.
Ways To Get Engine Oil Out Of Clothes
Here are the ways how to get engine oil out of clothes:
#1. OxiClean laundry stain remover
The first on our list and the most recommended engine stain remover is Oxiclean power laundry stain remover spray. This remover has claimed to be powerful enough to remove tough laundry stains.
OxiClean stain remover can be used for removing any kind of stain from clothes. Follow these steps:
- Spray directly onto the engine oil spot or stain until they are saturated.
- Rub it into the fabric and let stand for up to 10 to 15 minutes. This depends upon the severity of the stain.
- Then wash the clothing with your normal detergent.
#2. Nail polish remover
Nail polish removal available in drugstores contains a chemical compound. It helps remove the oil by bonding with their molecules thus diminishing the appearance of the fleck. Follow these steps:
- Put some of the nail polish remover onto a clean rag and work it into the stain with gentle scraping motions.
- Be patient. The stain may build up over time and then start to lift off more easily.
- If there are multiple stains, repeat this process with each of them on a different clean rag or with a paper towel for multiple stains on one rag or paper towel.
#3. Baking soda
The best way to remove that pesky grease stain is by using the old-fashioned technique of baking soda.
- Lay the clothing on a flat surface
- Place cardboard under the stain you can use an old towel
- Sprinkle some baking soda on top of the engine oil.
- Let this sit for about 10 minutes while watching for it to change color as it soaks up all those stains!
- After scraping off any excess residue
- Wash them according to their label in hot water
- You can repeat the steps until the baking soda is not making any change in color.
- Dry the cloth according to the clothing label.
#4. Aloe vera gel
Using aloe vera gel can help you remove car oil from your clothing. Here are the things that you need:
- Warm or hot water
- Aloe vera gel
Follow these steps:
- Let soak for 1 hour and take it to the washing machine using warm or hot water.
- Remove the cloth and then use a toothbrush and rub aloe vera onto motor oil.
- Let it dry.
#5. Baby powder
When removing engine grease or oil stains from your clothes, you can use baby powder to help absorb the oil outside of the cloth. Here are the things that you need:
- Baby powder
- Toothbrush
Follow these steps:
- Apply baby powder liberally to the affected area and let it for 10 minutes
- Then rub it firmly over the stain and remove using a toothbrush
- Launder as normal, using cold water
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#6. Dish detergent
Dish detergent can also remove engine grease or oil stains from your clothes. Here are the things that you need:
- Dish detergent
- Old towel or cardboard
- Soft cloth
Follow these steps:
- Put the clothing on a flat surface.
- Place the towel under the stain.
- Apply some amount of engine oil to the affected area.
- Then run gently with a soft cloth saturating the stain.
- Let it sit for about 3 – 6 minutes.
- Wash the let the cloth dry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the answers to your questions:
Will motor oil come out of clothes?
Yes, motor oil will come out of clothes. While it is possible to get some out of your clothes with a commercial cleaner, it may take repeated treatments depending on how much got spilled. You can also try spot cleaning with soapy water and a clean rag.
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How to remove old oil stains from clothes?
Use your favorite laundry detergent to wash the clothes in warm water using the hottest water safe for the fabric. Dry your clothes on high heat.
How to remove old oil stains from clothes using home remedies?
- Dilute the old oil stains by pouring water on them and let it soak the fabric for about five minutes before washing it.
- Pour a little dishwashing detergent on the stained part of the garment before tossing it in to be washed.
- Use baby-safe oils (such as sweet almond oil) to remove dirt, old oil stains, and other stubborn spots from fabrics.
It’s also good for making your clothes smell nice!
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How to get oil out of clothes after drying?
- Put a damp rag on the stains and rub the stains with the rough side of the cloth.
- If it is dry, put some baby oil or mineral oil on the stain and rub it out with a cloth until the stain is removed.
How to remove oil stains from clothes using home remedies?
- You could try using dish soap and water to remove the stains.
- You can also try using a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water or rubbing alcohol to lift out the stains.
- Another alternative is to use talcum powder on the stains, let it sit for about 20 minutes, and then vacuum it up.
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How to get car grease out of clothes after drying?
- To make this work, get some dish soap and mix it in a big bowl of hot water.
- Dunk your clothes in the mixture, but don’t stir or wring them out.
- Make sure you add enough dish soap to the water so that it’s not going to be too runny so the clothes can still soak up some of the liquid while they’re in there.
- Dump half a container of baking soda into the mixture and stir until it’s mixed in well.
- Put a towel over the top of the bowl and let it sit for 8 hours or overnight so all that baking soda gets scrubbed into your clothes.
How to remove black grease from clothes?
- Remove the black grease stains from your clothes by soaking them in water with detergent and a couple of drops of liquid soap.
- Wash the clothes as you normally would, until all the black grease is gone.
- Then dry them in the dryer to get rid of any excess water.
How to get oil stains out of clothes?
The easiest way to remove grease or oil stains from clothes is to buy an absorbent.
- Spray the stain with water and saturate the part of the garment that has the stain on it with the towel.
- If you are concerned that the color of your clothing might be fading due to the oil, then treat it with hydrogen peroxide by spraying a liberal amount of this liquid over the area.
- Keep rubbing for at least twenty minutes or until the stain is gone.
How does baking soda remove oil stains from clothes?
Baking soda can remove oil stains from clothes. Simply put baking soda on a cloth and scrub the stain, rinse it off, and then wash it as you would normally!
Does WD-40 remove oil stains from clothes?
I have been wanting to clean my clothes for a long time, but I was discouraged from doing so because I was afraid that WD-40 would remove the oil stains.
So, I used WD-40 to clean a stain on an old shirt. After applying the spray to the spot with a cloth, the WD-40 removed most of the stain. It did not get all of it, but it removed more than I thought it would.
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Does baking soda take out oil stains?
Baking soda is a white powder that reacts to heat, pressure, and humidity. A baking soda solution will suck up oil or grease, odors, and stains with the help of some other ingredients like water or vinegar.
Why do my clothes get oil stains after washing?
There are three common causes for clothes to develop oil stains after being washed. The clothes may have been rubbed with cooking oil, the clothes had excess from a car engine drip, or the clothes were contaminated by an oily substance on the floor.
How do baking soda and vinegar remove oil stains from clothes?
The mixture reacts to the grease in the oil, breaking it up into small droplets. These are then drawn into the surface of the fabric.
Can old oil stains be removed?
Oil stains are difficult to remove and can be very stubborn.
The first step in trying to clean up an old oil stain is identifying the type of oil that was spilled. Based on the type of oil, there are certain cleaning agents that should be used for the best result.
For example, if the spill is motor oil, it may not be possible to remove all traces of the stain without a solvent like benzene while cooking oils can be removed with soap and water.
How do you get oil out of clothes after they have been washed and dried?
This is a question that can be answered in a way of two ways. You can either use oil or the sun to get the oil stains out of your clothes after they have been washed and dried.
Will baking soda and vinegar remove oil stains?
Yes, baking soda and vinegar will remove oil stains. They are both strong alkalines which means that they neutralize the acid base in oil, breaking it down so that it can be washed away with water.
How do you get motor oil out of cotton?
You can soak the cotton in a solution of dish soap and water that is heated to around 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
What removes grease stains from clothes at home?
You can use several different home remedies to remove grease stains. One technique that is often used is rubbing alcohol and water solution.
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How do you get black grease out of clothes after drying?
- The first thing you need to do is scrape off as many excess grease stains as possible.
- Next, boil a pot of water and pour it over the grease stain.
- Place the garments on top of a clean white cloth and cover them with another cloth.
- Dab at the stain with a dry paper towel or old rag until you have removed all the grease stains from the cloth.
- Then rinse the garment in cold water and wash as normal.
Does Coca-Cola remove oil stains from clothes?
Coca-Cola is able to remove oil stains from clothes, but it does not work on all types of stains. One type of stain that Coca-Cola fails to remove is blood. Coca-Cola removes the oil from the fabric and is also able to loosen the dirt.
Does vinegar remove oil stains from concrete?
You can remove oil stains from concrete with white vinegar. If the stain is fresh, it will start to bubble up and turn brown in its center.
You may need to scrub a little bit to get the stain out, but usually, the vinegar does most of the work.
Is white vinegar a degreaser?
White vinegar is not a degreaser, it is an acidic agent.”
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It’s A Wrap!
Now, you’ve known how to get engine oil out of clothes. You may also want to read about some tips on how to get oil out of clothes and some tips in the removal of motor oil stains.