How to Remove Engine Oil Stains

Co-authored by Duston Maynes

Last Updated: November 7, 2021 References

Engine oil stains are one of the worst stains to remove. Not only can engine oil stain concrete and other items in your garage, but it can ruin clothes and other fabrics. In many cases, though, engine oil stains can be removed with a little work. By minimizing excess oil or grease before cleaning, using certain cleaning agents, and cleaning the item in question properly, you’ll have a good chance of removing engine oil stains.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Minimizing Grease or Oil Before Cleaning

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Scrape off extra grease or oil. Before acting to clean an oil stain, you need to remove any extra grease or oil. By removing extra grease or oil, you’ll ensure that the stain does not spread and you’ll make it easier for the cleaning products you use to fight the stain.
- Take a razor blade or another thin object and slide it between the oil and the object you’re cleaning. If you’re cleaning a fabric, you may want to substitute the razor for a thin piece of plastic or a thin piece of cardboard.
- When you scrape excess oil off, make sure you do so slowly so you don’t spread it and make the stain bigger.^{[1]
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2
Blot the stain. After removing excess grease or oil, you’ll need to blot the stain. By blotting the stain, you’ll gently remove any grease or oil you didn’t already remove when you scraped the object. Bunch up clean paper towels or an old cloth and:
- Gently dab or blot it on the stain.
- Don’t mush the fabric down.
- Avoid smearing any residual grease or oil left after you scraped it.^{[2]
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- You can also soak up some of the excess oil with cat litter.^{[3]
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  Duston Maynes
  Automotive Repair Specialist
  Expert Interview. 10 June 2021.}
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3
Sprinkle baby powder or cornstarch on the stain. While you’ve probably already removed a substantial amount of grease or oil from the item in question, you can remove even more by sprinkling baby powder or cornstarch on the stain. This is important, as baby powder or corn starch are very absorbent and will help remove even more oil or grease.
- Take your baby powder or cornstarch and lightly sprinkle it on top of the stain. ‘
- If you’re cleaning a stain off concrete, you may need to use more.
- If you’re cleaning a stain off fabric, make sure not to use too much – it might cause problems when it comes time to launder the fabric.
- Carefully remove the baby powder or cornstarch with a scraper, vacuum, or paper towel.^{[4]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Using Cleaning Agents

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Apply your choice of cleaning agent. After you’ve removed excess oil or grease, you can apply cleaning products to the item. Your choice of products will vary depending on the type of item you’re cleaning.
- Follow the directions of the cleaning product and pour or spray the recommended amount on the item you are cleaning.
- If you’re washing fabrics, you’ll probably want to use something that is not very caustic and won’t harm the fabric during the cleaning process. For example, you may want to use a stain remover formulated for fabric. You may also consider using Dawn or a similar dish detergent. However, be aware that harsh detergents may damage some fabric products.
- If you’re cleaning concrete, wood, or plastic, you may be able to use commercial or industrial products.^{[5]
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  Expert Source
  
  Duston Maynes
  Automotive Repair Specialist
  Expert Interview. 10 June 2021.} However, you may also have a lot of success using regular household dish detergents like Dawn.^{[6]
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2
Allow the cleaning product to sit. Make sure to provide enough time for the cleaning agent to sit on the item and soak in before rubbing, scrubbing, or laundering it. This is important, as the product needs to be able to attack the stain before you work it.
- If you’re cleaning concrete, many people recommend letting the cleaning product sit for 15 minutes or more.
- Follow the directions of whatever cleaning item you are using.^{[7]
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  Expert Source
  
  Duston Maynes
  Automotive Repair Specialist
  Expert Interview. 10 June 2021.} Some products, like Spot Shot, recommend you let the item sit for 3 to 5 minutes, others recommend more time.^{[8]
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3
Rub or scrub the stain. Depending on the item in question, you’ll have to take different approaches to rubbing or scrubbing the stain once you’ve applied a cleaning agent. Be careful, as some items are more delicate than others.
- Employ a toothbrush or a small scrubber for tough fabrics, like denim.
- Find a larger scrubber or a coarse cloth to clean concrete or other hard materials.
- Use a microfiber rag and dab or massage cottons or synthetic fabrics. This works especially well with car seats or dress shirts.^{[9]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Removing Tough Stains

1
Soak items. If you’re planning on laundering the item after you’ve applied your cleaning agent, you should soak it in warm water first. By soaking the item, you’ll enable the water to loosen the stain before the laundering process.
- Avoid hot water. Stick with water below 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54 degrees Celsius).
- Check the care tag of the item to verify that your detergent and water temperature is appropriate.
- Make sure you use a lot of water, relative to the size of the fabric. For instance, if you’re soaking several oil-stained rags or shirts, you should do so in a large sink or in a washing machine, rather than a small bathroom sink.^{[10]
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2
Launder fabrics. When it comes time to launder your fabrics, you’ll want to follow the directions of the care tag and to use detergent that is appropriate for the fabric. Make sure to:
- Use warm or hot water, if it is okay for the fabric.
- Wash the item by itself if possible, you don’t want other fabrics to be stained by the grease.^{[11]
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3
Reapply cleaning agents and clean again. While your odds of removing an oil stain are best during the first attempt, you may have some success removing or lightening a stain on a second attempt. In the end, if you’re not successful the first time, you may want to try again.
- Consider using different cleaning products. This is important, as some cleaning products are particularly effective against some stains but not others. For example, standard laundry detergent might not work on engine stains that have sat for a while.^{[12]
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4
Use a pressure washer on solid items. After preparing the surface with a cleaning product, take a pressure washer and clean the spot and remove leftover engine oil. This works best with concrete and wood. Power up the pressure washer and:
- Wash the oil stain systemically. For instance, start at the bottom of the stain and move from left to right, slowly moving up the stain.
- You may need to slow down and spend more time on certain areas than others.
- Feel free to rewash the spot if you need to.^{[13]
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