Last reviewed: 6 October 2026
The Clothesline Store - Our Quick Answer
Blot up the excess oil without rubbing, then cover the stain with baking soda for 15 to 30 minutes to draw the oil out. Brush it off, work in a few drops of dishwashing liquid, rinse and wash in the hottest water the care label allows. Check the stain is gone before drying, and air dry on a portable clothesline or drying rack, because dryer heat can set any oil that's left.
Oil stains are part of everyday life. A splash from the frying pan, salad dressing on a work shirt or a greasy hand wiped on the kids' clothes can leave a dark mark that ordinary washing won't shift.
The good news is that most oil and grease stains come out with things you already have at home: paper towel, baking soda and dishwashing liquid. This guide covers fresh stains step by step, how to rescue older stains that have already been through the wash, and how to treat different fabrics.
Oil Stain Removal at a Glance
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Do: act quickly, blot rather than rub, use baking soda to absorb the oil, use dishwashing liquid to break it down and air dry so you can check the result.
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Don't: rinse with plain water first, rub the stain, put the item in the dryer while any mark remains or use hot water on fabrics whose care label says cold.
Why You Need to Act Fast (and Why Water Alone Won't Work)
Oil soaks into fabric fibres quickly. The longer it sits, the deeper it goes and the harder it is to lift, so treat the stain as soon as you notice it.
Oil and water don't mix. Rinsing an oil stain with plain water can spread it into a bigger mark instead of removing it. You need something that absorbs the oil, like baking soda, and something that breaks it down, like dishwashing liquid, which is designed to cut through grease.
What You'll Need
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Tools: a butter knife, spoon or old card, paper towel, a soft toothbrush and a piece of cardboard.
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For fresh stains: baking soda (or cornflour), dishwashing liquid, white vinegar (optional) and a good-quality laundry detergent.
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For old or set-in stains: all of the above, plus WD-40 and a cotton ball for sturdy fabrics only.
How to Remove Fresh Oil Stains: Step by Step
1. Scrape and Blot
Lift off any solid food or grease with a butter knife, spoon or the edge of an old card. Then press a paper towel onto the stain to soak up as much liquid oil as you can. Blot, don't rub, because rubbing pushes oil deeper into the fibres.
2. Cover With Baking Soda
Slip a piece of cardboard inside the garment so the oil can't transfer to the other side. Sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda or cornflour over the stain and leave it for 15 to 30 minutes, or overnight for a large stain. You may see the powder darken as it soaks up the oil. Brush or scrape it off.
3. Work in Dishwashing Liquid
Put a few drops of dishwashing liquid directly on the stain. Gently work it in with your fingertips or a soft toothbrush, moving from the outside of the stain towards the centre, and leave it for about 10 minutes. If some residue remains, a splash of white vinegar can help lift it.
4. Rinse From the Back
Rinse the area with warm water from the back of the fabric. This pushes the oil out the way it came in, rather than through the rest of the fibres.
5. Wash in the Hottest Water the Fabric Allows
Check the care label, then wash the item with a good-quality laundry detergent in the hottest water that's safe for the fabric. Warm or hot water helps loosen any remaining oil so the detergent can carry it away.
6. Check Before You Dry
Look at the stain in good light while the garment is still damp. Oil stains are easier to miss when wet, so if you can see even a faint mark, repeat steps 2 to 5. Then air dry on a clothesline or drying rack instead of using the dryer, so heat can't set any oil that's left.
How to Remove Old or Set-In Oil Stains
If an oil stain has already been through the wash and dryer, don't give up. Start by repeating the dishwashing liquid step, then soak the garment in warm water with a little laundry detergent for 30 minutes before washing again.
For stubborn stains on sturdy fabrics like cotton and denim, WD-40 can help. It dissolves dried oil so it can be lifted out again. Always test it on a hidden spot first.
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Put cardboard inside the garment, then spray a small amount of WD-40 onto the stain or dab it on with a cotton ball. Leave it for a few minutes.
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Sprinkle baking soda over the area, leave it for 10 to 15 minutes, then gently brush it in with a soft toothbrush.
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Work in dishwashing liquid to remove both the stain and the WD-40, then rinse.
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Wash on its own in the hottest water the fabric allows, then air dry.
Safety note: WD-40 is flammable. Use it in a well-ventilated area, wash the garment thoroughly afterwards and never put it in the dryer until all trace of the smell has gone. Don't use WD-40 on silk, wool or other delicates.
Treating Oil Stains on Different Fabrics
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Cotton and denim: tough enough for all the methods above, including hot water and, if needed, WD-40. See our guide on how to wash jeans for more denim care.
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Polyester and activewear: synthetic fibres hold on to oil, so you may need to repeat the baking soda and dishwashing liquid steps. Use warm rather than very hot water.
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Wool, silk and delicates: blot and use baking soda only, then hand wash in lukewarm water with a gentle detergent. Skip vinegar, scrubbing and WD-40.
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Dry clean only: blot the excess oil with paper towel and take the garment to a dry cleaner as soon as possible. Point out the stain and tell them it's oil.
Why You Should Air Dry After Removing an Oil Stain
The heat from a tumble dryer can bake any remaining oil into the fabric and make it close to permanent. Air drying gives you a chance to check the garment once it's dry and treat it again if needed.
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Wall-mounted drying rack: the Urbanite Living Space Saving Drying Rack folds out in the laundry for one or two treated items and folds flat when you're done.
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Portable clothesline: a Hills Portable 170 or Daytek A-Frame can be set up inside or out, whatever the weather.
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Over-door rack: the Brabantia Over-Door Drying Rack hangs on a door when floor space is tight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does baking soda remove oil stains?
Yes. Baking soda absorbs oil out of the fabric, which makes it a good first step. Follow it with dishwashing liquid and a hot wash to remove what's left.
Can dishwashing liquid get oil out of clothes?
Yes. Dishwashing liquid is made to break down grease, so it works well on cooking oil, butter and salad dressing stains. Use a few drops, work it in gently and leave it for about 10 minutes before rinsing.
Can you get an oil stain out after it's been through the dryer?
Often, yes, although it takes more work. Repeat the dishwashing liquid treatment, soak in warm water with detergent and wash again. On sturdy fabrics, WD-40 can help loosen a set-in stain.
Should I use hot or cold water on an oil stain?
Use the hottest water the care label allows. Warm or hot water helps loosen oil, while cold water can leave it in the fibres. Always pre-treat the stain first.
Can I use shampoo on oil stains?
Yes. Shampoo is designed to remove oil from hair, so it works as a backup if you're out of dishwashing liquid. A clear shampoo without added conditioner works best.
Will vinegar remove oil stains?
Vinegar won't remove an oil stain on its own, but it can help lift leftover residue after baking soda and dishwashing liquid. Read more about using vinegar and baking soda in your wash.
For more laundry help, read our guides on removing common food stains, why clothes smell after washing and how to dry clothes fast.
Why Choose The Clothesline Store?
Our team can help you choose a drying rack or clothesline that suits your home and laundry. Before you order, we explain the size, hanging space and mounting options so you know it will fit.
As Australia's largest private stockholder of clotheslines and accessories, The Clothesline Store ships in-stock items the same or next business day from our own national warehouse, with a 4.9 out of 5 star customer rating.
Clothesline Covers for Drying Outdoors
If you dry your washing outside, a ClevaCover clothesline cover gives it high UV protection from the Australian sunlight while it dries, and shelters it from overhead rain, bird droppings and falling leaves, so freshly cleaned clothes stay clean.
ClevaCover for fold down clotheslines. Fits Air Dry, Hills Folding Frame, Austral, Eco, Daytek, Urbanite Living and other fold down brands, mounted on a wall or ground mount legs.
ClevaCover for folding rotary clotheslines. Fits Hills, Austral and Daytek folding rotary clotheslines.
ClevaCover for fixed head rotary clotheslines. Fits Hills Hoist and Austral fixed head rotary clotheslines, giving shade across the whole hanging area.
Save Your Favourite Clothes From Grease
Act quickly, blot instead of rubbing, absorb with baking soda and break the oil down with dishwashing liquid. Then check the stain before drying and air dry rather than tumble dry. With those habits, most oil stains come out completely.
