How To Remove Oil Stains From Jeans

Jeans were made to work in, so it's not surprising you might end up with a stain or two on them. Oil can be tough to remove from any clothes, but if you're wondering how to remove it from your jeans, you've come to the right place. We've researched the best way to remove oil from your jeans and have the steps for you below!

Unfortunately, if the oil stain is old, you may have difficulty removing it from your jeans. However, whether it's a fresh stain or it's had time to dry, there are a few things you can try:

1. Baking soda
2. Dish detergent
3. WD-40 
4. Chalk
5. Fast Orange hand cleaner

Some of these items you might have in your home, and with the help of these and a few other household items, you have a shot at removing the oil stain. 

We've told you a few products that might help you remove your oil stain, but keep reading as we explain how to use each one. We'll give you step-by-step guides on what you'll need and what to do. Additionally, we'll answer some other questions you might have about removing oil stains.

Removing Oil Stains From Jeans

There's a good chance you already have baking soda, dish detergent, and WD40 in your home, so there's likely at least one method you can try right away. Fast Orange is used to remove oil and grease from hands and can be found online or in most auto parts stores. Remember, these methods will work best on fresh stains, so it's essential to try and remove the stain as soon as you notice it.

Method 1: Baking Soda

For this method, you will need baking soda, some paper towels, and a damp cloth.

1. Begin by removing any excess oil. Blot the stain using a paper towel. Make sure to blot and not rub the stain, or you'll risk spreading the oil more.
2. Next, apply baking soda until the stain is covered. Allow it to sit, so the baking soda has time to absorb the oil.
3. You'll notice the baking soda changing consistency and color as it absorbs the oil. Remove the baking soda using a damp cloth. Repeat adding the baking soda and allowing it to sit until it no longer absorbs oil.
4. Once you remove as much of the stain as possible, wash it following your clothing's care label. Do not put the clothing in the dryer unless the stain is completely gone. If it's still there, repeat this method or try another.

Click here to see Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda on Amazon.

Method 2: Dish Detergent

Dish detergents, like Dawn, are designed to cut through grease and cooking oil, so they can also help remove them from your clothes.

For this method, you will need dish soap and an old toothbrush.

1. Just like the method above, you should begin by blotting away any excess oil.
2. Next, apply a generous amount of dish detergent.
3. Using an old toothbrush, scrub the detergent in small circular motions.
4. Rinse off the detergent with hot water.

Click here to see Dawn Dish Soap on Amazon.

Method 3: WD-40

WD-40 is a good option for tougher grease stains that might have had time to set. It can help rejuvenate the oil stain so that you can remove it.

For this method, you will need a piece of cardboard or an old towel, WD-40, dish soap, and a toothbrush.

1. As always remove any excess first.
2. Place a piece of cardboard or an old towel under the fabric.
3. Apply WD-40 to the stain and allow it to sit for about half an hour.
4. Apply a small amount of dish soap to the area.
5. Scrub the dish soap with a toothbrush.
6. Rinse with hot water.

Click here to see WD-40 on Amazon.

Method 4: Chalk

You don't need any special kind of chalk for this. Just regular white play chalk will work. We've included a YouTube video of the method below, and the creator shares that she just used chalk she bought at The Dollar Tree.

For this method, you will need white chalk.

1. Apply the chalk thoroughly to the stain.
2. Allow it to sit while the chalk lifts the oil from the jeans.
3. Wash your jeans.
4. Repeat for any areas you might have missed.

Method 5: Fast Orange Hand Cleaner

Unless you work on cars or in a shop, you might not have heard of fast orange hand cleaner, but it is readily available online and in auto part stores, as we mentioned earlier. It's great for removing grease and stains from hands, but the company also states that it is suitable for laundry. We've included a YouTube video for how to apply and use it to remove oil stains.

For this method, you will need a fast orange hand cleaner.

1. Apply a generous amount of the soap to the stain.
2. Allow it to sit for a few minutes.
3. Throw them in the washer on your regular cleaning cycle.

Click here to see Permatex Fast Orange Hand Cleaner on Amazon.

How do you get dried oil out of jeans?

Getting dried oil out of jeans will be more difficult, but it can be done. Baking soda, WD-40, and Fast Orange Hand Cleaner are all methods that might remove dried oil out of jeans. The key to eliminating dried oil stains is reactivating them. If you're more of a visual learner or want to see a visual demonstration, check out this YouTube video below. They use a combination of baking soda and dish soap to remove the dried oil stains!

How do you get car oil out of jeans?

Jeans are popular work attire for those of you working around cars and other vehicles. You've probably got car oil on your clothes more than once, but that doesn't mean you have to throw them away. You will have more luck removing the oil if you treat your jeans right away, but even some dried stains might be removable with the correct method.

Check out one of our methods above, especially the one that uses fast orange hand cleaner since Fast Orange is frequently used with car oil in mind.

Can you get grease out of jeans?

You can get grease out of jeans, but you should treat the stain right away for the highest chances of being successful. Immediately try to rinse the grease off of your jeans with hot water. If rinsing it doesn't work, apply dish soap, laundry detergent, or any of the products we mentioned in our previous methods for removing oil from jeans.

Does cooking oil stain jeans?

If you've ever been cooking and oil has splashed onto your shirt, you probably noticed it left a nice little circular stain. Though it might be harder to spot on your jeans, cooking oil will still leave stains. As with any other stain, if you treat it right away, you have a good chance of removing it. Unfortunately, if left too long, cooking oil can set into the fabric.

If your cooking oil of choice is olive oil, check out our other blog post for how to get it out of your clothes: How To Get Olive Oil Out Of Clothes?

Final Thoughts

Unsightly, oil stains can be frustrating, whether it happens to a pair of jeans or any item of clothing for that matter. Hopefully, our article has given you more than enough methods to try, and with any luck, your jeans will be stain-free in no time!

Since most of our oil-removing methods involve washing your jeans after, check out this blog post for information about which temperature is best to wash them at: Should Jeans Be Washed Cold Or Warm?