Getting (cooking) oil stains off clothes

[Aridane]

Clearly I am a messy eater as a number of my nice work clothes have stains where I've dribbled the salad dressing from my salad onto my dress (or where I've been too vigorous in stir frying at home).

They're not too noticeable - assuming there is no undue gazing at my chest! - but I would like to get rid of them if possible.

The clothes aren't cotton so any hot wash / bleaching etc isn't an option.

Is there a particular stain remover anyone can recommend?

Washing up liquid is normally good for getting out oily / greasy stains. Put it in the washing machine with the clothes. Be careful not to put stupid amounts in tho or it’s bubble central.

I tried loads of stain removers over the years and then someone recommended washing up liquid. It works brilliantly - if you think about it, it's job is to remove grease. I just put a dab on the stain and rub in a little then wash as normal.

Ha, cross post sorry!

Either washing up liquid or Stardrops. Just rub them into the greasy stain then throw in a normal wash.

Original Fairy Liquid before washing. It beats any stain remover.

What detergent do you use? I could never get grease spots out, even with washing up liquid, when I used non-bio liquid.

Now use bio powder (Lidl) & it’s brilliant, even without washing-up liquid most of the time.

I just blob a wee bit of my usual washing gel (Ariel ultra) onto the area and let it sit for a good few hours before I then wash it in the machine as normal and it always lifts any greasy marks.

If you do try it, dab it on as walnutwhipster suggests. (Or just use a regular pre-wash spray, they’re good on grease too)

Dry shampoo. Spray on, leave 5 minutes, rub, wash as normal.

Washing up liquid rubbed in. Wash in bio powder

Thank you all. I will try with the fairy liquid first.

GiantKitten - I do use non bio though as bio irritates my skin. If push comes to shove, I could always use bio and then put through the machine again to further rinse of bio residue.

But let's see if the washing up liquid trick works!

My DP is a messy cook and got oil splashes on an expensive hooded top he wore once! I've tried Fairy, vanish, vanish gel with no success. I'm going to have to try the WD40 method and make sure in future he wears the flipping apron I bought him years ago.

Soda crystals always work, and are great to have around for other cleaning jobs (plus put a little in each wash means you can reduce the amount of your detergent while helping keep your washing machine clean). It’s good for smelly drains too.

That elbow grease spray is supposed to be good and can be used on fabric too

Eucalyptus oil really works - just put a few drops directly on the stain and then wash with your normal detergent. You'll need to wash the garments on their own though and then wash again with just detergent or you'll smell like a cough sweet!

Dr Beckman spray

I use a block of green soap (sold as 'household soap'), rubbed into the damp stain before washing. It works really well, is cheap and lasts years.

I forgot, I also tried Elbow Grease to no avail.

Since there's a thread already here, I hope you don't mind me asking a question @Aridane :)

Does anyone know the best way to get a grease mark out of a pair of suede slippers?

Talcum powder rubbed into the grease stain.
“First the stain absorbs it, then it absorbs the stain.”
DGM taught me that.
Brush it out when it’s white and dry (suede shoes) or wash as usual.

I make a paste of washing up liquid and soda crystals and rub it into the stain. Leave it a few minutes before washing at the hottest temperature the fabric will take.

Ace stain remover - it comes in a tall plastic turquoise green bottle sold in most supermarkets about £2. Pour a bit on the stain then throw in the normal wash. Works for most stains (food, oil, blood, sticky mud) and there’s no effort involved.

Thank you, everyone - washing up liquid rubbed onto the oil stain and then a regulated wash worked a treat!