Do you want to know about the different types of oil stains that you can run into?
Do you want to be able to choose the specific oil stain remover that best fits your needs?
We can help!
There is a large variety of oil stains that we have to deal with on a monthly, weekly, or sometimes daily basis.
However, some stain removal products are not specific to a certain oil stain.
It’s important to choose the right oil stain remover that is specific to your stain to get the job done right.
If you choose the wrong oil stain remover, you’ll be left with the same stain and a hassle to return a product that doesn’t work.
This is why we looked and found the best oil stain removers for different types of oil stains.
Most Common Oil-Based Stains
Before we begin discussing the best oil stain removers out there, we need to clarify all of the different types of oil and the most common stains that they create.
When you think of oil stains you probably only think of one or maybe two different types right?
The truth is, several types of oil can leave stains in a variety of ways.
We have broken them down into four categories.
The first category is motor oil.
This is the oil that you and I put into our cars.
There are tons of different types of motor oil but at their base, they are all made up of crude oil.
Motor oil is the most common oil-based stain out there.
One reason for this is because it will not only stain your clothes, but it will often stain the concrete or asphalt beneath the car you are working on.
Don’t worry though, later in the article we will discuss the different ways to remove this tough stain out of both concrete or asphalt and clothes.
The second category of oil stain that we will discuss is cooking oil.
At first, this sounds like it is just a couple of different types of oils right?
There is a huge range of different types of oil that people use to cook with.
There are two categories of cooking oil, plant-based, and animal-based.
Here is a list of the most popular plant-based cooking oils.
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Pumpkin Seed Oil
- Walnut Oil
- Grapeseed Oil
- Peanut Oil
- Sesame Oil
- Hemp Seed Oil
- Flaxseed Oil
- Sunflower Seed Oil
- Canola Oil
- Vegetable Oil
Mayonnaise and all types of salad dressings can also be put into this plant-based cooking oil category.
Mayonnaise can sometimes consist of as much as 80% vegetable oil.
All forms of salad dressings will have at least one type of plant-based cooking oil in them.
Some dressings have combinations of plant-based oil.
The animal-based cooking oil is a much shorter list as it only consists of butter or margarine and lard.
The third category of oil stains out there is the oil that is used in makeup, lipstick, or chapstick, and all the different types of skin moisturizers.
Deodorant and those pesky underarm stains that you sometimes get would also fall into this category.
Some of the oils used in skin moisturizers are the same as the plant-based cooking oil, such as coconut oil and olive oil.
Mineral oil is sometimes used in this category as well.
When you buy your make-up, make sure that it doesn’t contain mineral oil or that it has a very small concentration of it.
Mineral oil can clog your pores and cause acne and other skin irritations.
Some other names of mineral oil to look for are white oil, paraffin oil, liquid paraffin, and liquid petroleum.
Mineral oil is the main ingredient in baby oil.
Jojoba oil and argan oil are two that haven’t been mentioned that are in some forms of makeup.
Chapstick or lipstick contains a combination of wax, dye, beeswax, and shea butter, and usually a healthier form of cooking oil like avocado or coconut oil.
Our fourth, and last, oil-based stain category is the oil that our body produces naturally.
This oil is called Sebum and it is produced by our bodies to lubricate our skin and hair.
This is a necessary oil but it will produce some frustrating stains, such as around the rings of our shirt collars or combining with the oil in deodorant under our arms.
So just to recap, here is a list of all the types of oil-based stains that we have discussed.
- Motor Oil
- Cooking Oil
- Butter or Margarine and lard
- Mayonnaise
- Salad Dressings
- Chapstick or lipstick
- Makeup and skin moisturizers
- Deodorant
- The body’s naturally producing oil. (Sebum)
As you can see, there are so many different types of oil that we can come into contact with daily.
These can cause a variety of oil-based stains.
There is also a variety of oil stain removers to choose from.
You can see that because there are so many different oil-based stains, the best oil stain remover will differ with each individual stain.
Review Of The Best Motor Oil Stain Removers From Concrete
In this section, we’ll discuss each of our picks for the best motor oil stain removers from concrete.
Chomp Pull It Out Oil/Stain Remover
I found this first product on Amazon and it has great reviews. Click here to check it out.
This oil stain remover is for motor oil stains on concrete or asphalt driveways.
It removes oil or petroleum-based stains like transmission fluid or brake fluid.
It’s made up of a water-based formula. No acids or bleach is used in this stain remover.
You need to apply a healthy amount of this product on the stain for it to be effective.
No scraper or scrub pad needed. Once you’ve let it dry, you just sweep and it comes off like particles of sandpaper.
It’s effective on all types of concrete and the different properties they have.
The bottle that it comes in is about the size of a quart of oil.
Pros For This Product
- Safe to use indoors because of no acid or bleach
- No scrubbing required, you just sweep it up
- Does not matter how long the stain has been there
- Works on a wide variety of climates and concrete properties
Cons For This Product
- Has been known to leave a white residue around where the stain was
- Can lighten a darker colored concrete permanently
- Need to use it in abundance for it to be effective
GP66 Green Miracle Cleaner Gallon (1, gal.)
Green Miracle can be used for removing motor oil, but not limited to just that.
It can be used for many other stains other than oil-based.
It was originally developed for industrial use but now can be used in your home.
NSF approved, which means it’s environmentally friendly.
This 1-gallon bottle is concentrated and will make 16 regular size cleaning bottles.
Pros For This Product
- Can be used on a variety of stains
- NSF approved and O.S.H.A. certified
- Originally industrial use only but now able to get it for personal use
- Offers 100% money-back guarantee if not satisfied
Cons For This Product
- Price. The price isn’t bad for what you’re getting, but if you only have a very small area it may simply not be needed
Terminator-HSD
Terminator-HSD will break down the oil into byproducts of CO2 and water.
This allows the oil to be completely removed and not just lifted out of the concrete.
This is a powder base and can be used on very large stains without having to pour most of your contents onto the stain.
No scrubbing required. You apply the powder and apply a mist of water.
For best results, you need to mist the area every day during the removal process.
Natural microbes break down and consume the oil over time.
No harmful chemicals or acids have been used.
Because this is a completely natural product, it takes 4-6 weeks of reapplication to work.
Pros For This Product
- The most natural form of motor oil remover. Great for the environment
- Powder base and can be used on bigger stains
- Does not just lift oil, but breaks it down into water
- No scrubbing required
Cons For This Product
- Will require patience (4-6 weeks for full effect)
- If used outside in rainy areas, it can get washed away before removing the stain
There are lots of motor oil stain removers from concrete out there that you can purchase,
However, these three are some of the better ones that I have come across.
Ultimately it will depend on your situation and needs.
Now let’s discuss some of our picks for motor oil stain removers from clothes.
Before we get into the reviews, however, sometimes those motor oil stains can be removed by using corn starch, baking soda, and or dishwashing detergent and hot water.
If this is the case, use it!
We want you to be able to remove those stains.
However, the following reviews are here for you in case those methods above won’t do the trick.
Review Of The Best Motor Oil Stain Removers From Clothes
OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder, 7.22 lbs.
OxiClean is an oxygen-based stain remover.
Its main ingredient is oxygenated bleach which allows it to remove the tougher stains.
Because it’s not a pure bleach, it can be used in washing machines with all colors of clothes.
This is a water-activated formula.
This is a very versatile stain remover meaning it will remove all types of stains other than motor oil.
You can also use this on just about any type of surface, not just clothes.
Works well when combined with your regular detergent to remove motor oil stains from clothes.
Pros For This Product
- Very potent (oxygenated bleach)
- Versatile on stains and surfaces
- Can be used with all clothes colors in the washing machine
Cons For This Product
- Some people don’t like the smell
- If used too much it can bleach colored clothes
Carbona Stain Devils Spot Remover For Motor Oil, Tar, And Lubricants 1.7 Oz
Carbona Stain Devils spot remover is specially formulated for only motor oil stains.
Carbona is shipped in a six-pack of bottles.
The Carbona stain remover is sold in a smaller bottle and in my experience works very well on smaller more concentrated stains. Around the size of a half-dollar.
The product is still effective if you have a large stain, you just have to use almost the whole bottle to get it out.
Pros For This Product
- Formulated specifically for motor oil stains
- Very effective on small stains
Cons For This Product
- Have to use a large amount to get out big stains
Review Of The Best Cooking Oil Stain Removers
Before we get into reviewing the best cooking oil stain removers let’s discuss a couple of things.
On some of these stains, simply using baking soda and or dishwashing detergent with hot water will do the trick.
By all means, if that works go for it!
However, if it doesn’t, that’s why we have reviewed the products for you below.
Carbona Stain Devils, Fat & Cooking Oil 1.70 oz
Carbona brand is a very reputable stain remover.
They have come out with a line of stain removers specially formulated for a variety of different stains.
This is a liquid and comes in a pack of six bottles.
The best method for this product is to sprinkle some directly on the stain then let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
After that, scrub a little detergent on the stain before placing it in the washing machine.
With some cooking oil stains, you may have to let Carbona sit for an hour or so or even repeat the application process.
Pros For This Product
- This will get the stain out when other options won’t
- Specifically formulated to get out cooking oil stains
Cons For This Product
- In many instances, you will have to use two or more applications to remove the stain completely
- Will remove other stains, although sometimes there are better options out there for stains that aren’t cooking oil-related
ProSpot Professional Laundry Stain Remover (8-oz)
ProSpot is a stain removal product manufactured by A.B.C.
A.B.C. used to be only in the commercial cleaning industry but has now made several products that you can use in your home.
They have a very concentrated proprietary formula that is used for tons of different stains.
This product comes in an 8-ounce bottle.
ProSpot will remove not only cooking oil stains but a variety of tough stains.
You can also use this product on carpet and upholstery
Pros For This Product
- Good price for what you are getting
- Very concentrated stain remover
- Will remove stains other than grease and cooking oil
- Effective on a variety of fabrics
Cons For This Product
- Only 8 ounces
- Have to apply liberally to be successful
STANLEY HOME PRODUCTS Original Degreaser (1 Pack)
Stanley original degreaser is a cutting and dissolving agent.
The reason I like this one is because of it’s multipurpose use.
It can be used on any surface including countertops, wood, dishes, broilers, grills, tools, and clothing.
This is also a product that can be used for professional use or in the home as it is phosphate-free.
The directions say to dilute it, but in my experience, that will reduce its effectiveness.
It comes in 1-,2-, or 4 count bottles.
Pros For This Product
- Effective on any surface including clothes
- Can cut and dissolve
- Phosphate-free
Cons For This Product
- Directions to dilute are misleading
- Not as concentrated as advertised
Best Makeup/Lipstick Oil Stain Removers
Now let’s talk about those skin moisturizer stains or those pesky lipstick stains.
How about those fun deodorant stains.
I have put together a list of a few products that have been successful in removing these particular stains.
But before we go over these products, if you can use baking soda mixed with some Dawn detergent (or any kind of remedy like that), by all means, do it.
The last thing I want is for you to spend money on a product that was not necessary. If, however, that doesn’t work, here are a few other options.
Carbona Stain Devils® #6 1.7 Fl Oz, 3 Pack
As I said earlier about Carbona, they have a line of products, such as product #6, specially designed and formulated for almost any kind of stain.
This is what I like about Carbona products. Because no two stains are identical, they have 9 different products that you can pick from to narrow down your specific stain.
This is their line for lipstick and makeup oil remover.
It will also remove clay, dirt, grass, pollen, mud, and toothpaste.
This #6 stain remover works well with the stains that it advertises it will remove but they have a different product, (#9) that removes deodorant stains.
An important note with this and all of Carbona’s products is not to dilute it at all. It is meant to be applied directly to the stain as is.
Pros For This Product
- Specifically designed for make-up and lipstick stains
- Price is fair for what you’re getting
Cons For This Product
- Ineffective if diluted at all
- Will not remove deodorant stains
Rocco & Roxie Oxy Stain Remover
Rocco Stain Remover is another product that uses active oxygen molecules to break up the stain.
Its main focus is carpet cleaning but it will remove stains from other surfaces too, including deodorant and make-up stains.
It is chlorine-free and color-safe, meaning it won’t change the colors of your clothing.
Pros For This Product
- Removes deodorant and lipstick or make-up stains
- Earned the seal of approval from the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI)
- Will remove stains out of carpet and other materials
Cons For This Product
- Has a distinct smell that some people do not like
- Have to scrub very hard in some instances to be effective
Best Stain Removers For Naturally Occurring Body Oil
The final category of oil-based stains that we discussed earlier is the oil that our bodies produce naturally called sebum.
You will usually find these stains around your neckline of shirts or even underneath your arms from the sweat you produce, not necessarily your deodorant.
Here are a couple of options to look for if your basic home remedies don’t work.
OxiClean Max Force Gel Stain Remover Stick, 6.2 oz, Pack of 2
These body oil stains can sometimes be very tricky to get out because they have been in there forever.
This OxiClean product is super concentrated.
You can treat an area and let it sit for up to a week before you wash it out.
Another plus is that this product has special stain-grabbing nubs that help you work the formula deep into the fabric.
Pros For This Product
- Super Concentrated
- Stain-grabbing nubs allow you to get deep into the fabric
- Good price for what your getting
Cons For This Product
- Strong perfume type smell
- Can bleach clothing if use too much
Puracy Natural Laundry Stain Remover
Puracy product is 100% natural and also has a money-back guarantee.
It’s the only product out there that I have found that used 6 different plant-based enzymes to remove the stain.
The closest competitor only uses 3.
It’s effective on any type of material, including carpet, upholstery, and clothing.
No bleaching type ingredient is used in this so you don’t have to worry about your clothing turning white afterward.
Pros For This Product
- 100% natural
- Uses 6 plant-based enzymes
- Money-back guarantee
Cons For This Product
- Can leave a grayish area after the stain is removed
Conclusion
Now you have some information on the different types of oil stains out there, but not just that, you’ve got info on the best oil stain removers on the market.
Use your individual stain removal needs to choose which one you feel will meet your needs the best.
Happy stain removing and good luck!
