A Guide for Removing Cooking Oil Stains from Your Clothes

How easy oil stains may be removed from clothing mainly depends on how long the oil has been on the clothing; the longer it has been there, the more probable it is that the stain will remain. Nevertheless, even deeply set stains may occasionally be eliminated with a little effort. When oil gets on clothes, it soaks in fast because the fabric is so absorbent. If this is allowed to remain on the clothing, you will have an unsightly patch that is stained, especially if the item of clothing is white. 

Here are some Frymax-approved tips and tricks for removing cooking oil stains from clothes. In case one doesn’t perform as well on your particular fabric type as it should, we’ve also included a couple more choices for you to try. The two most important considerations on how to get cooking oil out of clothes are to always use hot water and to move quickly since time is important. Keep in mind that the oil is more likely to become ingrained in the cloth the longer you let it lie there.

Using hot water to remove grease and oil stains

As said, the key to removing oil stains from clothes is hot water and fast timing. They become relevant in this situation. As soon as you realize the oil has discoloured the item, dab it with some liquid detergent and wash it in the hottest water recommended for the fabric. Hot water is the secret to getting the oil to liquify fast before it hardens and sets. Starting each method in this way is probably also a good idea, just in case it works, and no additional effort is required.

Splattering when frying can be risky, especially when it comes to stains on your clothing. Here are some tips on how to get cooking oil out of clothes with only a few common household things if you don’t have any washing detergent available.

Using baking soda to remove cooking oil stains

  • Sprinkle baking soda over the afflicted region.
  • Scrub with an old, clean toothbrush after letting the baking soda sit for 30 to 60 minutes. Baking soda will absorb the oil, making it much simpler to remove the stain that is left behind.
  • The leftover baking soda should be poured over some washing-up liquid, and it should be carefully worked into the fabric with your fingertips. Since washing-up liquid is formulated to remove oil and grease from dishes, it ought to function similarly when used to remove oil stains from clothing.
  • Check the care label on the garment and, as with the above method, wash at the highest temperature the fabric can withstand. If you haven’t had time to pop out and get some laundry detergent, try adding half a cup of white vinegar to your wash cycle to help lift any remains of the stain.

Using baby powder to remove cooking oil stains

Baby powder will be of great assistance to you if you’re wondering how to get cooking oil out of clothes. 

  • Apply a lot of baby powder to the cooking oil stain.
  • Let the powder remain on the stain for one day. The powder removes the stain by absorbing the frying oil.
  • Use a spoon to remove the powder and oil off the clothing, and wash the garment in hot water as normal.
  • Repeat until the mark is removed.

Using laundry detergent to remove oil stains

A pre-treatment with laundry detergent should typically be sufficient to help lift your cooking oil stain because many contemporary detergents have enzymes that aid in breaking down difficult stains.

  • With a dull knife or spoon, remove any oily substances from the fabric, and dab liquid oil stains with a paper towel. This will make it simpler to treat the fabric’s discolouration and stop any oil from leaking into the surrounding areas.
  • The stained area should be treated with laundry detergent.
  • Soak the stain until the fabric is completely saturated on both sides.
  • Give the prepped garment at least five to ten minutes to sit in some hot water.
  • Take out the garment and give it a hot water rinse.

Using shampoo to remove cooking oil stains

We are all aware of the advantages of shampooing oily hair. The good news for home cooks is that shampoo may effectively remove stains too. Here’s how to remove cooking oil stains from clothes using shampoo.

  • Use paper towels or a very clean cloth to absorb any extra vegetable oil. Any of the remedies would benefit from doing this because it immediately removes part of the oil. Some of the oil can be absorbed by pressing on the cloth or paper towel.
  • Directly add some regular hair shampoo to the stain.
  • Rub the shampoo into the stain on the fabric by applying pressure with an old toothbrush or any other soft-bristled brush.
  • Put the garment in the laundry with the shampoo remaining on the stain after letting it sit for a little while.
  • Wash according to your garment’s care instructions.

Using WD-40 to remove cooking oil stains

Fresh cooking oil stains can be effectively removed using the methods mentioned above, but it can be more difficult to get rid of stains that have already set in. WD-40 is one item that performs admirably. The cooking oil stain is removed more thoroughly by using it in conjunction with some of the other products described above.

  • To prevent the stain from spreading to the opposite side of the fabric, start by inserting cardboard inside the garment behind the spot.
  • WD-40 should be sprayed on the stain at this point.
  • Spray the solution into a little bowl and use a Q-tip to apply to small stains. You can spray straight on the clothes if the stain is more substantial. The oil stain will be easier to remove thanks to the WD-40’s ability to break it down.
  • Apply some baking soda to the stained area with a toothbrush. It works best with a thick layer.
  • Utilizing the toothbrush, rub the baking soda into the fabric. As the oil is absorbed by the baking soda, it will begin to clump.
  • Repeat with more baking soda until no more clumping occurs.
  • Dishwashing detergent should be applied, and then rubbed into the fabric. Make sure soap is applied in a smooth layer.
  • Lastly, wash the item in the washing machine, following the garment directions. Along with the stain, the WD-40, dish soap, and baking soda will wash out, removing the stain.

Lastly, one of our favourite tips is to use dishwashing detergent to remove oily stains

Dishwashing detergent performs a good job of cutting through grease and oil when washing the dishes, so it makes sense to apply it as a treatment for clothes stains caused by frying oil.

  • Apply a little amount of dishwashing detergent to the oil stained area, maybe a half teaspoon or so, depending on the extent of the stain.
  • Massage the detergent gently into the stained area and leave to soak for 20 mins – Don’t rub too hard as this could ruin the fibres in the material.
  • Place the oil-stained clothing in the laundry with the rest of your normal load and wash at the instructed temperature.
  • With this method, the majority of cooking oil stains will go, especially if they are recent stains. This method works because dishwashing detergent will dissolve the greasy oil stain until your washer’s rinse cycle removes it.

High-quality sustainable cooking oil for the UK restaurant industry

Frymax supplies trans-fat-free, certified sustainable palm oil to chippies, restaurants, and the hospitality industry. With superior quality single-sourced RSPO palm oil, we’re committed to helping you create a more sustainable, ethical, and healthier world. For more information don’t hesitate to get in contact with the helpful Frymax team.

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14 September 2022
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