Remove Oil Stains With Baking Soda

Oil stains can be unsightly, whether they are on fabric or concrete. Not only that, they can be difficult to remove, especially if they have been sitting for too long. Chemical cleaners are often the best way of removing oil stains, but they are not always safe for the user and the environment. Fortunately, baking soda is a cheap and effective way to remove oil stains.

Steps

Removing Oil Stains from Concrete or Asphalt

  1. Dampen the stained area with water. The water will help lift the oil to the surface.
  2. Sprinkle baking soda generously over the stain. You don't want any part of the stain to be visible.
  3. Boil a pot of water. This will give the baking soda enough time to do its work.
  4. Pour the hot water over the stain. You likely won't use all of the water; you need just enough to dampen the baking soda enough to make a runny paste. Save the rest of the water for rinsing.
  5. Scrub the stain using a hard bristled brush. Try to use a plastic bristled brush, like the kind you'd use on a bathtub. Do not use a metal-bristled brush. It can damage the concrete, especially if a bristle gets caught in a crack and rusts.[1]
    • If the stain is very stubborn, add a few drops of dish detergent.
    • It's a good idea to save this brush for future oil stain removal as it will get grimy.
  6. Pour the rest of the water over the stain to rinse the baking soda off. Repeat as needed until the stains disappear. Rinse out the brush and put back in storage.

Removing Fresh Oil Stains from Fabric

  1. Place a piece of cardboard inside the garment. The cardboard should be right behind the stain. It will prevent the stain from transferring to the back of the garment.
  2. Gently blot the stain with some tissue or paper towel. Do not press hard or rub the stain, or you will risk setting it further into the fabric.
  3. Generously sprinkle baking soda over the stain. You want the stain to be completely covered.
  4. Wait one hour. This will give the baking soda enough time to work into the stain and absorb it.
  5. Fill a sink or bucket with water and stir in a few tablespoons of baking soda. Use hot water, if you can. If the garment cannot be washed in hot water, try using warm or lukewarm water instead.
  6. Take the cardboard out and soak the garment in the water. Let it sit there for about 15 minutes. Once the time is up, swish the garment around to dislodge any baking soda, then pull it out.
  7. Wash the garment as you normally would. If the garment is machine washable, simply wash it with the rest of your laundry. If the garment is not machine washable, then hand wash it in a sink of fresh water and laundry detergent.

Removing Old and Stubborn Oil Stains from Fabric

  1. Place a piece of cardboard inside the garment. The cardboard should be right behind the stain. It will prevent the stain from transferring to the back of the garment.
  2. Cover the stain with WD-40. This will help lift the oil from the fabric.
  3. Dump baking soda onto the stain. You want the stained area to be completely covered. The baking soda will help absorb the WD-40 and the oil.
  4. Work the baking soda into the stain with an old toothbrush. Keep scrubbing until you see the baking soda begin to clump up.
  5. Pour some dish soap onto the baking soda. You don't need a lot of dish soap. Just a drop of two will do, depending on the size of the stain.
  6. Scrub the area again with the toothbrush. At some point, the baking soda will get caught in the bristles of the brush. When this happens, rinse the toothbrush with water, then keep scrubbing until the baking soda is all gone.
  7. Take out the cardboard and wash the garment as you normally would. If the garment is machine washable, toss it into the washing machine with the rest of your laundry. If the garment is not machine washable, then wash it in a sink filled with water and some laundry detergent.

Tips

  • Keep a store of baking soda in the garage to sprinkle on oil spills when they happen; this will make them easier to remove quickly.

Warnings

  • Don't wait. Try to get to the stain as quickly as you can. The longer you wait, the harder the stain will be to remove.
  • Some people find that baking soda is too harsh on delicate fabrics. If your garment is made from delicate or fragile fabric, blot up as much of the oil stain as you can and take it to a professional cleaner or dry cleaner.

Things You'll Need

Removing Fresh Oil Stains from Fabric

  • Cardboard
  • Tissue or paper towel
  • Baking soda
  • Sink
  • Water
  • Washing machine (optional)

Removing Old and Stubborn Oil Stains from Fabric

  • Cardboard
  • WD-40
  • Baking soda
  • Dish soap
  • Old toothbrush
  • Washing machine (optional)

Removing Oil Stains from Concrete or Asphalt

  • Baking soda (also known as bicarbonate of soda)
  • Rubber gloves (optional)
  • Scrubbing brush with strong bristles
  • Water for rinsing

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ Bald Eagle Construction, 3 Ways to Remove Oil Stains from your Concrete Driveway
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