Let me set the scene.

You’re making a quick salad dressing, just tossing together some olive oil and vinegar. You blink for half a second—boom—a giant blotch of oil on your brand-new white tee.

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Great. It’s always the white shirt.

Been there. In fact, the first time I ever cooked with olive oil in college, I ended up with more of it on me than in the pan. Back then, I didn’t even know oil stains were a thing—I just tossed the shirt in the wash like a fool and ended up setting the stain forever. RIP to that Topshop tee.

But after years of trial, error, and late-night Googling, I’ve finally cracked the code. Below are the 15 steps that actually work to get olive oil out of clothes—even after they’ve been through the dryer. Bonus: I’ll share the cleaning products that saved my wardrobe, including a few favorites from Amazon I now swear by.

Ah, olive oil.

A kitchen staple. A flavor enhancer. A drizzle-it-on-everything kind of ingredient.

But one place it absolutely doesn’t belong?

All over your clothes.

And if you’re like me, it always seems to splatter just right onto your favorite shirt—usually when you’re in a rush, wearing white, and prepping something quick (and somehow still messy).

Yes, Olive Oil Does Stain Clothing (But There’s Hope!)

The worst part? Olive oil doesn’t just sit politely on top of the fabric. It seeps in. Lingers. Spreads.

And different fabrics—cotton, nylon, wool—each react differently.

I once had a favorite cotton tee ruined by a teeny oil blotch I couldn’t get out, no matter how many random Pinterest hacks I tried. (Spoiler: Some of those hacks made it worse.)

But here’s the thing: olive oil stains are treatable—especially if you act fast and use the right method for your fabric type.

Must-Have Stain Removers (Tried, Tested, & Lifesaving)

Before we get into the step-by-step breakdown, here are my go-to cleaners I keep stocked at all times:

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5 Best Laundry Stain Removers:

OxiClean MaxForce Spray – My #1 pick for tackling tough stains of all kinds

SHOUT Stain Remover – Works wonders on greasy messes like oil

Tide Rescue Spray – Easy to use, no scrubbing required

Biokleen Bac-Out – Eco-friendly and great for sensitive skin

Tide-To-Go Pen – For those “oops” moments on the go

How to Get Olive Oil Out of Clothes (Step-by-Step)

For Nylon (Activewear, Shirts, Pajamas…)

Nylon is common in so many garments—and unfortunately, it loves oil. Luckily, it’s durable and responds well to cleaning when done right.

Apply a Stain Remover

Use something like SHOUT or a strong laundry detergent (like Tide). Gently rub it into the oil stain using your fingers.

Wash as Usual

Hand wash or use your washing machine’s gentle cycle in cold or warm water.

Air Dry Only once you’re sure the stain is gone.

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Heat from a dryer can lock in any remaining oil. I like using a drying rack to keep nylon in top shape.

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For Cotton, Wool, or Cashmere

Cotton may seem easy to clean, but oil loves it. And for delicate wool or cashmere, you have to be extra careful.

Keep Clothing DryDon’t pre-wet the fabric.

Water can make it harder for soap to reach the oil.

Pretreat with Dish Soap

Use a few drops of grease-cutting dish soap (like Dawn). Gently massage into the stain, let sit for 5 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Wash According to Fabric Type

Use hot water only if safe (check the label). For white cotton, you might be able to use bleach—but follow directions carefully.

Air Dry & Inspect

Avoid the dryer until you’re confident the stain is gone. If any trace remains, repeat the steps above.

For Set-In Stains (After Drying)

If you already dried your clothes in the machine and then noticed the oil? There’s still hope!

Wet the StainRehydrate the fabric with warm tap water. This helps loosen the dried-in oil.

Apply Dish SoapRub a small amount of dish soap onto the damp area. Let it sit for 1 hour.

Wash NormallyUse your usual detergent and follow the care label instructions.

Air Dry OnlyNo dryer! Repeat as needed if the stain is still hanging around.

For Washed (But Not Yet Dried) Clothing

Already ran a load of laundry and then spotted a stain? Do this:

Dab with White Vinegar

Saturate the stain with vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes.

Apply a Paste

Mix equal parts vinegar and baking soda. Apply to the stain, gently rub in, then rinse.

Soak Overnight (If Needed)

If the stain is stubborn, soak the item in a bucket of water with a splash of vinegar and a bit of laundry detergent.

Rinse & Wash Again

Rinse thoroughly and machine wash per your fabric’s label. Air dry and cross your fingers.

Yes, You Can Save That Shirt!

Olive oil stains don’t have to mean the end of your favorite tee, hoodie, or dress.

The key? Act fast, use the right method, and be patient. Some fabrics might take more than one treatment, but most oil stains can be removed if you follow the right steps.

💡 Bonus Tip: Keep a small bottle of dish soap in your laundry room. It’s the secret weapon for oily kitchen stains.