How to get the oil smell out of clothes has been one of my most frustrating laundry battles.
I’ve pulled freshly washed shirts out of the machine only to find they still reek of fryer grease or car oil.
Whether it’s from cooking, working under the hood, or that clingy fast-food scent, the smell just hangs on.
Over the years, I’ve tested dozens of methods, some were miracle fixes, others, not so much.
In this guide, I’ll share only what’s truly worked for me, which works without rewashing.
How to get the oil smell out of clothes fast
One evening, I had 15 minutes before heading out and sensed my dress still reeked of sesame oil.
I didn’t have time for a wash, so I tried this and it worked, wow.
1. Cornstarch & Vodka Spray
- Dust cornstarch directly onto the smelly areas. Dry fabric only.
- Let it sit for 10 minutes to absorb grease and odour.
- Brush off the powder completely.
- Mix equal parts vodka and water in a spray bottle.
- Lightly mist the fabric and let it air dry.
Suggested Read: How To Get Olive Oil Stains Out Of Clothes – Quick Fix!
How to get the oil smell out of clothes without washing
I once packed a suitcase full of clean clothes, but they absorbed the fast-food smell from one greasy hoodie.
No washer nearby, but this hack saved the day.
2. Activated Charcoal Bag Method
- Place the smelly garment in a sealed bag.
- Add a pouch of activated charcoal. You can use pet-grade charcoal or charcoal sachets.
- Seal and leave overnight or up to 24 hours.
- It’s wash-free and gentle on delicates.
How to get the oil smell out of clothes after washing
Even after washing, your clothes smell like oil? Try this simple trick:
3. Lemon & Orange Peel Solution
- Boil a handful of lemon and orange peels in 2 litres of water.
- Let it cool and pour into a basin.
- Soak your clothes for 1 hour.
- Rinse with cool water and line dry.
How to get the oil smell out of clothes after drying
Have you accidentally dried a load of laundry that still smelled like vegetable oil?
Don’t worry, this trick will help you:
4. Eucalyptus Towel Wrap
- Dampen a clean towel with water.
- Add 10 drops of eucalyptus oil to the towel.
- Toss it in the dryer with your dry clothes.
- Run on low heat for 15 minutes.
- It’s like a mini fabric detox.
Suggested Read: How To Get Engine Oil Stains Out Of Clothes 10 Instant Fixes!
How to get the cooking oil smell out of clothes without washing
If you don’t want to rewash, try this method, which gives instant freshness:
5. Coffee Ground Wrap
- Place dry, used coffee grounds in a cloth pouch or sock.
- Put smelly clothes and the pouch in a sealed container or large ziplock bag.
- Leave overnight.
How to get a mechanic’s oil smell out of clothes
For heavy-duty smells, go with this simple trick:
6. Borax Boost
- Fill a bucket with warm water.
- Add 1/2 cup of borax and dissolve completely.
- Soak clothes for 1–2 hours before washing as usual.
- Borax neutralises odours caused by petroleum-based grease and is safe for most fabrics.
Do clothes smell like oil after washing?
I had this issue with towels. They smelled faintly like burnt oil even after washing. I’ve tried this, and it works:
7. Citric Acid Wash
- Run an empty cycle on hot.
- Add 1/4 cup citric acid powder to the drum.
- Let it complete fully, then run a rinse cycle.
- This breaks down oily gunk and prevents it from transferring to clothes.
How to get the oil smell out of work clothes
Workwear needs something strong yet fabric-safe; try pine needle water.
8. Pine Needle Wash
- Boil 2 cups of fresh pine needles in water.
- Let it cool, strain, and add to a basin of cold water.
- Soak clothes for 45 minutes.
- Wash normally and air dry.
- It’s naturally antibacterial and removes lingering fryer or engine smells.
Suggested Read: How To Get Oil Stain Out Of Leather: 10 Smart Hacks To Try!
How to get fish oil smell out of clothes
The best solution I’ve found for this is mustard powder.
9. Mustard Powder Soak
- Add 2 tablespoons of dry mustard powder to a bucket of warm water.
- Soak clothes for 30 minutes.
- Wash normally with mild detergent.
- The sulphur compounds in mustard help neutralise strong organic odours.
How to get the oil smell out of clothes without the dryer
When I couldn’t use a dryer after washing, I tried this, and it worked beautifully indoors.
10. Cornstarch & Pillowcase Hack
- Put your dry garment inside a clean pillowcase.
- Add 3–4 tablespoons of cornstarch.
- Tie the case and shake to coat.
- Let it sit for 1–2 hours, then shake or brush it off.
Home Remedies To Get Oil Smell Out Of Clothes
Here are the home remedies that my friends and I have tested over the years. They’re natural, safe, and shockingly effective.
11. Witch Hazel Mist
- Mix 1/2 cup witch hazel with 1 cup water and spray over smelly areas.
- Let air dry to deodorise gently.
- Great for Rancid Oil Smell on Delicates
- It works well on light fabrics like silks or synthetics.
12. Mint Leaf Rinse
- Boil fresh mint leaves, strain, and use the water to rinse clothes.
- Leaves behind a clean herbal scent.
- Perfect for Essential Oil Smells in Workout Gear
- It works wonders on yoga pants or tops.
13. Rice & Cinnamon Odour Bag
- Combine rice with cinnamon sticks in a cloth pouch.
- Store clothes in a box with the pouch overnight.
- Best for lightly worn clothes with lingering odours.
14. Tomato Juice Dip
- Prepare a solution with 1 part juice to 4 parts water
- Soak smelly clothes in diluted tomato juice.
- Neutralises fishy and oily smells.
- Ideal for smelling on cotton fabrics.
Suggested Read: How To Remove Motor Oil From Clothes: 12 Genius Stain Fixes!
15. Clay Cat Litter Absorption
- Place dry clothes in a box filled with unused clay-based cat litter.
- Let it sit overnight.
- Works for fuel or gear oil on denim.
16. Apple Peel Water
- Soak apple peels in warm water for 20 minutes.
- Use the infused water to rinse clothes.
- Cuts through the grease smell.
- Great for mild cooking oil on everyday clothes.
17. Clove Water Rinse
- Add crushed cloves to boiling water, strain, and rinse clothes.
- Works great on fryer smells.
- Perfect for kitchen uniforms like aprons or polos.
Suggested Read: How To Clean Oil Off Concrete: 10 DIY Solutions For Stains!
18. Oatmeal Sachet
- Wrap dry oatmeal in a thin cloth and store it with clothes.
- Naturally absorbs odour over time.
- Best for long-term storage of lightly smelly fabrics.
19. Raw Potato Slice Rub
- Rub a slice of raw potato directly onto smelly patches.
- Starch helps lift embedded smells.
- Good for spot-treating collar or underarm odours.
20. Basil Leaf Steam
- Place fresh basil in a pot of boiling water, hang clothes above to steam.
- The steam lifts odours and refreshes fibres.
- Perfect for gear oil smells from air-dried fabrics.
Storage Tips to Keep Clothes from Smelling Like Oil
Once you’ve finally removed the oil odour, the last thing you want is for it to return.
Here’s how I keep my clothes smelling fresh between wears:
- Keep a sachet inside drawers – lavender, mint, or orange peel sachets help absorb leftover odours.
- Don’t store dirty clothes – even if worn once lightly, air them out before putting them away.
- Use breathable storage – skip plastic bins. Cotton bags or wooden closets keep airflow moving.
- Add a charcoal packet – especially helpful for gear stored in lockers, garages, or humid spots.
Suggested Read: How To Get Grease Stains Out Of Carpet In 10 Minutes!
Mistakes to Avoid When Removing Oil Smell
Even natural fixes can backfire if used wrong. Here are some slip-ups I learnt the hard way:
- Using hot water on an unknown fabric – always check the care label first. Some materials shrink or lock in smell with heat.
- Mixing vinegar and baking soda in the same wash cycle – Do them separately to avoid neutralising each other.
- Drying before the smell is gone – Heat sets odours. Always check before tossing in the dryer.
- Skipping a pre-soak – Going straight to the wash won’t always lift oil, especially older stains.
- Using too much detergent – More soap doesn’t mean cleaner. It can trap smells if not rinsed well.
Final Thoughts: How to get the oil smell out of clothes
Whether it’s olive oil, fryer fumes, or even heavy mechanic grease, there’s a gentle and natural fix for every kind of stink.
Each of these methods comes from real trial and error, not just theory.
And best of all? No harsh chemicals, no artificial perfumes, just smart, natural ways to get the smell out.
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