Tips to Remove Car Oil from Clothes

Working on cars often comes with an unwanted side effect, oil and grease stains on your clothes. Motor oil, transmission fluid, and other automotive lubricants can leave dark, stubborn marks that are much harder to remove than everyday spills. The good news? With the right products and a careful process, you can have success removing car oil from clothes and keep your workwear looking decent.

Why Car Oil Stains Are Different

Car oil, motor oil, and other automotive fluids are thicker and more persistent than kitchen grease. They’re petroleum-based and often mixed with additives, which makes them cling tightly to fabric fibers. Because of this, you’ll need a stronger pre-treatment and a little extra time compared to normal stains.

Instructions for Removing Car Oil from Clothes

Scrape and Blot Immediately

• Gently scrape off any excess oil with a dull knife or spoon.
• Use a clean, white cloth or paper towel to blot as much oil as possible, don’t rub, which can push it deeper into the fabric.

Absorb the Excess Oil

• Sprinkle baking soda, cornstarch, or baby powder over the stain to soak up surface oil.
• Let it sit for 15–30 minutes, then brush it off. This step helps reduce the oil before you move on to liquid treatments.

Pre-Treat with a Degreaser

• Apply a heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent or a mechanics’ hand cleaner (without pumice) directly to the stain.
• Rub it gently into the fabric using your fingers or a soft brush.
• Allow it to sit for 5–10 minutes to penetrate and break down the oil.

Rinse with the Hottest Safe Water

• Check the care label on the garment. Use the hottest water the fabric can safely handle.
• Rinse thoroughly to flush out loosened oil and detergent.

Wash Separately

• Launder the garment separately from regular clothes to avoid transferring oil residue.
• Add a little extra detergent for heavily soiled items.
• If the stain remains after washing, repeat the pre-treatment and wash again.

Air Dry First

• Never put the garment in the dryer until the stain is completely gone. Heat can set automotive oil permanently.
• Air dry and check the area, if it’s still stained, repeat the process.

Tips for Stubborn or Set-In Car Oil Stains

• Use a Commercial Degreaser: Products designed to cut automotive grease (like specialized laundry degreasers or strong dish detergents) work better than regular soap.
• Double or Triple Treat: Automotive oil often needs more than one cleaning cycle to disappear fully.
• Choose the Right Clothes: For frequent car work, wear designated workwear or coveralls that can handle harsh cleaning products.
• Spot Test First: Strong degreasers can be tough on delicate fabrics, test in a hidden area before full application.

Removing Car Oil from Clothes

Car oil stains are tough, but not impossible. Acting quickly, absorbing excess oil, pre-treating with a strong degreaser, using the hottest safe water, and air drying until the stain is gone will give you the best chance of saving your clothes. With these steps, removing car oil from clothes becomes a manageable task, even for heavy-duty motor oil or grease.