How To Remove An Old Oil Stain - A Drycleaner’s Guide

Removing an old, or 'set' as us dry cleaners call it, oil stain can be very hard. But luckily you got me to give you a dry cleaners guide to removing an old oil stain.
These types of stains are so stubborn because they've already been dried, or 'cooked', into fabric. This means w'er going to have to get a bit more creative than normal to remove it.
First, try rubbing in a touch of dish soap. Dish soap is a surfactant which allows grease to become soluble in water. What that means is adding some water will help move it along sooooo
Mix up some warm water and a few drops of dish soap and work that in. I always like like to let my stain treatments sit on the stain for at least 15 minutes before washing.
Lastly, rubbing a tough detergent into the stain will help too. The idea here is that were using multiple types of surfactants to loosen up this grease / soil.
I washed on an express cycle with cold water and then let the pants air dry to ensure the oil stain came out before tumble drying. This is arguably the hardest part of the process as oil stains are invisible on wet garments.
If you stain has come out, then dry as normal. Otherwise you may need to repeat this process a few times before tumble drying.
For more laundry tips and tricks follow me on IG and TikTok @jeeves_ny

[@Peachiie_Keen]

The thing is, people say not to set the stain in by drying, but 100% of the time, I didn't know the stain was there until i dried it..

[@taylorjade6918]

Right?! Thank you!

[@NeighborhoodOfBlue]

You have to carefully look at your laundry before putting it in the dryer. Line drying laundry doesn't set the stains, so there's also that option.

[@pamelah6431]

You observe and treat the stain prior to washing it. If I've done that to a garment, I tend to drape it over a chair to dry to see if the stain is gone.

[@ashleysantiago7366]

EXACTLY!!!!

[@ChesterStone33]

​@@NeighborhoodOfBluethat's way too much work 😂😂 imagine doing that every time u do a load of laundry

[@crxpto8547]

W video my favorite sweater had a big ass stain and I got it off on the second try

[@cleanfreaks]

that makes my day, thank you for sharing

[@angelodeasis6081]

​@@cleanfreakshow about old dirt stain

[@cupofdirt2490]

​@@angelodeasis6081do all three like he did in the vid

[@ecab992]

@@angelodeasis6081use a bit of laundry detergent and scrub with a toothbrush or something with bristles. rinse off with water and repeat if needed 👍

[@anonymousstacker2044]

Hey bro I need help...my favorite knitted cotton jacket got soaked in a tub of gasoline for days...don't ask me how 😅 Do you know how to get rid of the gasoline??

[@austinpoznoski3083]

one of my favorite t-shirts got stained with various car greases over a year ago and i decided to try and fix it tonight, i genuinely cant believe how well this worked. extra tip: after putting the dish soap + warm water combo on, blot some of it up with a paper towel (use pressure!)

[@lynbabysusu]

I did all three as I just got back from a trip, it works so well! I was a little panicky after the initial machine wash didn’t remove the stains. Thank you.

[@WhiteRabbitAnne]

You are my favorite tips man. Home makers ( male and female) need these tips. It makes life so much easier. Remeber if you have stains or things you don't dare clean yourself. Your friendly neighborhood dry cleaner can fix you right up. They can work miracles occasionally.

[@Ayamekwlgirl]

For really tough oil/grease stains, rub plain white chalk into the stain and let it sit overnight, then wash the chalk off with dish soap. This has saved so many of my clothes, and it usually works with one wash

[@katie7748]

Plain white chalk, eh? Hmmm I'll have to try that.

[@elizabethhiebert1859]

WOW!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

[@miniwolfii17]

Like, sidewalk or blackboard chalk? Does it have to be white?

[@Ayamekwlgirl]

@@miniwolfii17 plain white chalkboard chalk or tailors chalk. You want to avoid chalk with colors or waxes which could stain. There is a small chance that the chalk can leave a mark after washing, so I try to keep it only on the greasy area and don’t let it set for more than a few days.

[@miniwolfii17]

@@Ayamekwlgirl Ahhh, that makes sense. Thanks a bunch! :D

[@rocky3027]

My favorite shirt got covered in olive oil after someone didn't put the cap on correctly. The stains were set in so I took the shirt and put it in a 3 gal bucket and dumped in more olive oil to completely cover the shirt. Then I moved it to a 5 gallon bucket filled with sea-water and let it soak for 2 days...then cleaned it in the wash.I kid you not, it's now the softest, most broken in shirt I own.

[@roshni1098]

its like when people put finish on wood pieces…but shirt

[@Nari_Trovi]

wow

[@Katragine]

Interesting..

[@NicoleP278]

Did all the oil come out? My husband attempted this without the salt water soak and the oil started to oxidize and go rancid. Had to trash the shirt, it smelled so bad.

[@frackjohn]

​@@NicoleP278I think he was sarcastic.

[@SquiddyHiggenbottom]

Loaned my favorite pastel sweatshirt to a friend, they "helpfully" washed and dried it before giving it back to me... and did nothing about the 3-inch wide grease stain on the belly! 😳 I will try out this process later, fingers crossed! 🤞

[@Floratic]

Never loan clothes unless your okay with it not coming back to you how you originally leant it.😂

[@SquiddyHiggenbottom]

@@Floratic Fortunately this trick worked! Had to do it twice but now my sweatshirt looks like new ☺️

[@NowhereFast12]

You lost me at pastel fungi

[@portobeIIa]

@@NowhereFast12 ...what?

[@triggerunhappy.]

Another reminder The answer to all your life’s problems is dawn dishwashing detergent

[@dinky101]

And don’t forget to add only the blue one works the best.

[@AxlAX]

Original Dawn and Dawn power wash! Amazing 🤩

[@imapineapple15]

​@@AxlAXfun fact Dawn power wash is just blue dawn + isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) that combo cleans dirty grout like nothing else!

[@kuro.hitsuji]

Dang all your older videos coming to the rescue for any clothing issues I might have lmaoo

[@cleanfreaks]

happy to help :)

[@jagermanjensen1]

Literally just did my laundry and was hoping to find a video of yours on oil stains 😭🙏 prayer answered

[@mattiti]

cleaned my uniform like this back when I worked at a spa (constant oil stains from the massage oil and products...) works great!

[@grandmabiscuits]

dish soap is great. it gets grease off of plates and won’t hurt ducks, so it’s perfect for getting oil out of laundry too.

[@kimvaupel3532]

This is the content I’m here for!!

[@cleanfreaks]

hell yeah! love to hear it :)

[@user-kc5gh4qv6e]

I agree 👍

[@cassybucceri276]

In the past year or so I learned about the dish soap thing to get grease stains out. This would have been priceless info when I was in my twenties. I had these jeans that fit perfect like all the boxes. Perfect length , fit, color overall perfect everything. Well while eating pizza one day a nice glob of pepperoni pizza grease fell right directly onto the middle of my thigh I was devastated!!!

[@BeachLover263]

My husband just got a stain like this on his favorite sweater & the normal wash didn’t get it out. I just happened to scroll & see this thank you so much! Great tip!

[@m.143.5]

This worked literally like magic, had a stain and quickly did the first step, you're a lifesaver

[@2k21fotbalistul8]

Did he put after the pants in washing machine?

[@MT-jl6zn]

​@@2k21fotbalistul8of course he did.

[@LelasMum]

That’s good information! Thank you. I don’t as folding laundry and found two shirts with grease spots. Back to the laundry tub , but with this hack I’m confident they’ll be gone. Thanks.

[@Zandeelio]

Hell yeah! I am terrible about not wearing an apron while I cook, im gonna give this a shot!

[@YoungMule]

Thank you so much I’ve been searching for a solution for so long. Will report back if this works

[@ziner94]

This is exactly what my momma tells me to do wherever i stain my cloths. He is most definitely right ! It works.!

[@unknowntosociety01]

Thanks bro, i often stain my new shirts while cooking 🍳 and this is gonna make them look sharp again

[@deborahfraser9325]

Worked like a charm on my sweater. Thank you!

[@tabithaormiston-smith590]

OMG I have thrown away so many beautiful silk garments because I didn't know how to do this THANK YOU!!! ❤

[@Madamoizillion]

WHAT! You mean you threw them away without even ATTEMPTING to figure out how to save them, and it took a random video for that possibility to occur to you??? Smh

[@aisle_of_view]

That beating with the brush bristles is actually important.

[@2k21fotbalistul8]

Did he put after the pants in washing machine?

[@willowtree50]

Thank you, saved a brand new shirt that I didn’t notice had an oil stain when it went into the wash.

[@shuriKen469]

banger of a guide this one. cheers for sharing mate!

[@decgal81]

Thanks so much. Saved some of my husband's favorite clothes

[@elodiepollock7326]

Omg that is such a saviour of a video!!!! Thank you so much!

[@fioregiallo]

When I see shorts like these it makes me feel smart bc I figured out a lot of your stain removal techniques on my own. When I saw you using the brush to tap the fabric once, I felt like a champion lmaooooo

[@Grymyrk]

I did this the other day just guessing. As i know dish soap is great at lifting grease. And it worked!

[@LaurenAnne6]

Exactly the video I need.

[@greenradishgrrl]

Thanks! Great tip!

[@luminvader8911]

You can also do dish soap + baking soda and let it dry overnight; throw into the wash and air dry (do not dry in dryer or it can make the stain worse) then one it's dry see if it's gone. If not repeat steps. I've done this work lulu hoodies with great success

[@hugogarcia9797]

I was about to give up on a favorite shirt of mine. Will be trying this when I get a chance!! TY

[@cnevarita6265]

Real hero

[@jamilyamuksin]

I lost so many clothes after cooking this channel teaches me so much😮

[@danysanerd2383]

Wow, so you mean there's hope? All is not lost once it hits the dryer?! ❤🥰😍🤩

[@sinbadzoe7438]

Thank you for this video! Worked like a charm on the first try on a large oil stain on my pants. Horray!

[@shelbylou02]

Thanks for these tips! 😀

[@GuitarDiddlerJP15]

I have never once been able to get a grease stain out and I've tried all sorts of stuff... Ill have to try this, although I'm pretty sure I have in the past.

[@jonlouis2582]

Loving these tips. Who hasn't done this?

[@Gymclark]

Wow. Thank you so much

[@IMOO1896]

I usually add some peroxide mixed in with the detergent, works great !

[@thereisnofood2008]

something i learned from working in the automotive field, have a bottle of dawn specifically for laundry use. ive had motor oil, trans fluid, brake fluid, p/s fluid, grease, and gear oil stains and dawn never lets me down

[@cremebrulee4759]

Love these tips. 😊

[@Gg-yb5en]

Have so many things I like that have stains. Will try this method fer sure😀

[@asadb1990]

Wow this is a lifesave for my lighter clothes where the stain is very visible.

[@TheMilford]

Fantastic works well too.

[@user-sm7jp4km4d]

I knew this one! Proud of myself ^^

[@RoseandEden]

this is fantastic to know! thank you!

[@cherrytree2165]

this is about to save my bfs wardrobe

[@anotheronechompsthedust9618]

Just what I needed to save my tshirt, thanks!!

[@The_Daliban]

Amazing thank you sooooo much!!!❤️

[@maggpiprime954]

The moment I get food oil on my clothes, I put dish soap on it. I tap it with my finger to saturate the fabric, then reach inside to scrape it from the back with my fingernail. This both pushes the oil back where it came from and works the dish soap through. If I'm at home, I just put it directly in the hamper, and it comes out in the wash. If I'm out visiting, I use a paper towel to blot & rinse & blot. It works pretty well!

[@shelbylou02]

Ugh, i just threw a nice sweatshirt out b4 trying this method. Thanks for sharing. :)

[@nellythevegan854]

Thanks for sharing ! This came up in my algorithm.. my hubby has oil on his shirt collars due to beard oil will have to try all steps. But these are just cotton shirts and these will go in the washer. 🙏🏽✌🏽☘️🌱🌡️

[@lorimoon846]

Persil!! The best!

[@jasperd5689]

omg a lot of my clothes gets ruined from oil stains ur a lifesaver

[@SteviiLove]

Thanks for this! Most common problem as the person who cooks every meal

[@megamaze00]

Thank you. I have 4 sons and every piece of clothing they own has those mystery oil stains 🫣

[@pouwhakaaro]

Shocked by ur gripper at the end

[@MrMickelham]

I think we found thumbkin

[@3orM00Rrecharacters]

So useful! Thank you I have an absolutely priceless 100% pure linen off-white, natural duvet cover that I hoped would last for life! It developed a mystery stain (tea? Fake tan? Urine? Other body fluids?) about 200mm across..: It’s just on one side, but right in the middle. I can’t use it any more :( Any ideas on how to get this out? I’ve tried soaking in Sard soap, soaking in vinegar, in washing soda, leaving to dry in the sun, everything short of bleach or peroxide or dry cleaning fluid. Help!! Thank you, the linen lady

[@dreamervanroom]

for win and other such stains and it is magic. use a detergent water solution on it, strong like the example. Dont wash it off. This is a basic (not acid) mixture and is needed to make the second part work. Now use peroxide and scratch it in with a fingernail or a cred it card. You should start to see it fade. Leave it on for a while and it works. Of course you may need to do it twice. For protein stains put on some peroxide and same scratching it in, see if the spat bubbles. That means it is a protein stain, like blood and yes blood will come out even old blood, completely. May take a few go overs. This one doesnt need the detergent. How to remove latex paint. Isopropanol (rubbing alcohol). This one may take a while of rubbing till the paint lets go. Like 5 minutes, hear! Will work even on very old paint stains. I got old white paint off a deep purple dress a friend gave me. Then I asked he if she wanted it back since she didnt want it because the paint "ruined it" - and yes she took it back. Your welcome. I am old and have figured out these things that no one told me. (Except the wine stain but then I picked that methos out of about 7 methods I found online so yay me. And yay you too!

[@TwilightLanayru]

I needed this video lol

[@bricktrooperproductions]

Thank you so much

[@ngata88]

Thank you for this, I keep wondering why the oil stain on my hoodie wasn’t coming off no matter the amount I put it through the wash 😂🤦🏾‍♀️👌🏾

[@user-yq5gz7ri9s]

Mucho gracias

[@terriem3922]

Will try it. Castor oil, washed 3 times, dried twice😮

[@acrollie]

I’m about to try this tonight. If it works, you are a lifesaver dude these keep getting in my clothes idk how and I haven’t been able to figure out how to get rid of them 💀

[@ghxst1]

did it work?

[@kedra626]

Brb going to try this on my favorite grey sweatshirt

[@2k21fotbalistul8]

It work? Did he put after the pants in washing machine?

[@INatalkaI]

Im gonna try this on my sheets as i spilled cuticle oil while doing my evening routine. 😅

[@gissie391]

I used washing up liquid directly then rubbed it rinsed rubbed i didnt rub all off then put it in washing machine in normal cycle it worked well esp bike chain stains.if it stains green thrn did too much too dry etc.

[@opalizard]

THANK YOU

[@trumoomoo]

I’ve seen several of his videos now and what I’ve learned is start with dish soap and then apply something that should actually remove the stain

[@2k21fotbalistul8]

Something like ?

[@Ramen7810]

Wow I have so many shirts I don’t wear because they are stained af with oil I will try this

[@urcute5129]

I’m about to try this because I just bought Merch and accidentally got chapstick on it hoping it works

[@MarioRodriguez-pd6lp]

I left a chapstick in the dryer and now I have a whole batch

[@limalicious]

Ya got advice for mustard? I got it on my favorite tee, 100% cotton. I've tried oxiclean, dish soap, multiple washes, baking soda and vinegar. It has air-dried, but never baked in with a dryer.

[@VickyShawcooksalot]

Perfect timing. Actually I treated it but bo one else in the house bothers to check stains. Even if I remind the several times. Men! 🙄

[@sarajanewebster5321]

I wonder if this is fabric-dependent? I have a wonderful skirt that unfortunately has an oil stain on it; its soft fabric is that sort that just holds on to any oil like nobody’s business. It’s been to the cleaners twice specifically to get it out and it’s still there!

[@pablopenguin24]

Holy crap, I actually do this! I use a ton of dish soap tho. Oil stains scare me

[@ballout83]

Need some for detergent stains now !

[@Misfit.Profit]

Used to work in a kitchen... for larger stains WD-40 works well

[@buttonsf3293]

Thanks for this! I just recently got oil on a pair of yoga pants then forgot about it and laundered them

[@RahsaanT]

Bless you🙏🏾😭

[@pipo_pipo_]

Thank you for this!! I accidentally put my pants in the dryer after it got stained with oil which basically cemented it on 😭😭

[@KabbaVArtAndDesign]

It took like 4 rounds of washing but the accursed red oily chipotle pastor chicken stains have been removed form by beloved light grey sweat pants. I thought I was gonna have to throw them away 😩🙌🏿

[@casandra0]

Omg thank yooouuuuuuuu

[@neiiko5712]

Omg eek! I have this super cute crew neck I have that has old oil stains and I have no clue how to get out. Hope this helps!

[@lanaskywow]

Amazing!!! You don't happen to know how to get rust stains out of white clothes do you? Hold on while I try to go save my two favorite shirts from small but awkward oil spots....

[@dR1Ugz]

Lighter fluid works too.

[@angelacunaacuna]

Thank god i saw this. I cook with a lot of oil that spatters and ive had to get rid of so many shirt because of it nowbi dont ahve to

[@janemurdock6988]

Thanks

[@christinewolf1510]

I have washed and dried clothes before realizing they had a grease stain, put a bunch of dawn on it, re washed, and they always come out!

[@nikpoto7899]

After all these steps, do you just rinse it? Or put it in the washing machine? Got some olive oil on a brand new shirt and won’t be able to wash until I get back home in a few days

[@jt.633]

I got an oil stain on a windbreaker and couldn’t get it out no matter what until i discovered the secret sauce - chalk! Just rub some on and it will absorb the oil

[@sakkarabeirre]

I've been hoping to find this video for half a year. Now I gotta find those jeans I got oil on.

[@pittypatt3]

can you please make a guide on joe to remove ink stains!!!

[@semanstairs5076]

Why are you tapping with that brush as opposed to scrubbing?

[@linhdanghoang2504]

Same question here. Hope someone will answer

[@arstgkneio]

YT’s compression algorithm does not play well with the high res fabric detail

[@jadonharper1493]

I used oxi clean on dark gray chinos that had vaseline stains on the knees, worst idea ever it totally bleached and lightened them. I should’ve used this method.