Grease and oil are some of the peskiest stains which are incredibly challenging to get rid of. However, with the right laundry detergent, it can also become the most comfortable stain to handle! If you are looking for the best laundry detergent for grease and oil, here is everything you need to know about it.
After using many different detergents throughout the years, we can say that the best laundry detergent when it comes to removing grease and oil stains is Tide Pods Laundry Detergent. It has 10x the stain-removing power others have due to its highly concentrated formula. You can read more on our impressions with Tide further down in this article.
How do laundry detergents remove grease and oil?
To tackle this question, you will have to get into some chemistry and biology! So without making it any harder than it has to be, here is the simple explanation for it: A laundry detergent contains two opposite ends to one molecule. When this molecule meets your grease-stained clothes, one end of it attaches to the water, while the other end of it connects to the oil and grease. Working on two different substances, the molecules can pull apart the water from the grease, separating them while doing so.
As the laundry detergent works to separate the water from the grease, you can rinse them away and effectively degrease your clothes without any hassle! The best laundry detergents can complete this action very fast and effectively, removing all the oil and grease from your clothes without damaging them.
Should you use the laundry detergent for removing grease and oil in hot water or cold water?
Well, this entirely depends upon the kind of fabric you are washing. Indeed, hot water is often the best solution for loosening up grease and oils, making it easier for you to remove it from your clothing. However, in the case of delicate fabrics, it is always best to wash your clothes in cold water first, and then use hot water for removing the stains.
In case your clothes are very delicate or have dyes in them which can stain, it is best that you use cold water with your laundry detergent. In fact, the best laundry detergent can remove grease and oil stains from your clothes in both hot as well as cold water pretty effectively. In case you are still confused about what to use, you can always read the special instructions on your clothes to find out what works best for specific items of clothing.
How much laundry detergent should you use to remove grease and oil stains?
While there is no set rule as to how much laundry detergent you should use to remove grease and oil stains, often it happens that people end up using more than they should. Using excessive laundry detergent not only causes wastage, but it can also be quite harmful and abrasive for your clothes, especially for delicate ones.
When you are looking for the best laundry detergent on the market, you can search for one who comes in little packs or little compartments, so that you do not need to guess how much you need to use. The laundry detergent can be easily put into your washing machine, giving you exactly as much as you need, and not more or not less.
There are a few laundry detergents on the market which you will find like this, sealed into little water-soluble containers, which you can use for removing grease and oil stains efficiently from your clothes.
Should you use a liquid or a powder laundry detergent for removing grease and oil stains?
In actuality, it does not matter whether you use powder or liquid, as long as you know the ingredients in the laundry detergent. You should make sure that the laundry detergent can cut grease and oil out of your clothes quickly and efficiently, and the state of the laundry detergent will not matter!
What is the best laundry detergent for removing grease stains?
It can be quite difficult to narrow it down with so many choices today. But since we have a lot of experience when it comes to cleaning, here is our selection:
Tide Pods Laundry Detergent
image source: tide.comThe Tide 3-in-1 pods in our experience are the best laundry pods when it comes to removing grease and oil stains. The product consists of detergent, stain remover, and color protector. The formula is highly concentrated, which is what makes it so efficient. To ensure a superior performance you can add two pods in the washing machine before you add the clothes.
Check the price on AmazonTired of overusing your laundry detergent and damaging your delicate clothes? Well, Tide Pods will bring a stop to over-usage immediately. The Tide Pods are small packets containing Tide laundry detergent. These packets are water-soluble, so they dissolve as soon as you put them in the water of your washing machine. You can use it with hot or cold water as it works efficiently to cut and remove grease and oil stains from your clothes.
The best part about the Tide Pods is that you never have to worry about wastage. One Tide Pod is enough for a full load. However, if you require more detergent, you can always add another pod!
The Tide Pods also have a very mild but pleasant Spring Meadow smell, so that your laundry ends up smelling fresh and clean after every wash.
The laundry detergent not only removes the stains from your clothes, but it also has a color protector, so that your delicate or colored clothes do not damage during the wash cycle.
Why We Like It:
- The small pods contain precisely the amount of detergent you need for one wash, so there is no over usage or wastage.
- The Spring Meadow smell is very mild and pleasant after the wash.
- Tide Pods easily dissolve in both hot as well as cold water, so you can wash all your fabrics without fear of damaging them.
- Easy to use; simply put one Tide Pod into your washing machine with the water, add your clothes, and run your normal cycle!
What We Don’t Like:
- The Tide Pods can sometimes get stuck to each other inside the packaging, due to exposure to the air or water.
The solution: Simply add a bit of cornstarch into the packet, shake it up, and the Tide Pods should come off each other quickly without you having to pull them off or break them apart!
Why You Should Get It:
For all those busy homeowners who are looking for a quick and easy fix to removing grease and oil stains from your clothes, there can be no better option for you than Tide Pods. The best part about the Tide Pods is that you never end up using more than you need, in fact, you only need to use one, or a maximum of two Tide Pods for even a huge load! Click here to check other customer reviews on Amazon.
Arm & Hammer Clean Burst Laundry Detergent
image source: armandhammer.comThe Arm & Hammer Clean Burst Laundry Detergent is another excellent option you can get today. It is one of the most popular laundry detergents when it comes to removing oil and grease stains. It has enough grease-eliminating power while leaving your laundry smelling fresh and clean. Works on all kinds of standard and HE models of washing machines. Definitely worth checking out!
Check the price on AmazonGetting rid of grease and oil from your delicate fabrics does not require you to use an arm and a hammer anymore! The Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent is powerful enough to do all the work for you, removing these stains and odors in no time.
When it comes to getting rid of oil and grease from your clothes, you need to be extra careful. Depending upon the kind of fabric you have at hand and how long the stain is, it can be next to impossible to get rid of these stains.
However, thanks to Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent, all you need to do is pop it into your washing machine (or hand washes it, whichever you prefer). The unique formula of this detergent takes care of the rest of the job for you.
One great thing about this laundry detergent is that it has a low sudsing formula, which means that it will be much easier to rinse out without the hassle of rinsing and re-rinsing to get rid of suds!
Why We Like It:
- Powerful enough to remove all kinds of oil and grease stains. However, it remains gentle on your fabrics
- Unique low sudsing formula means it is easier to rinse out
- Leaves behind a mild, pleasant smell on your clothes after washing
- Traps the oil and grease and washes it away before it can redeposit on your clothes
What We Don’t Like:
- Even though the smell is really great, some individuals who are sensitive to smells might find it to be a bit strong.
The fix: You can layout your clothes to naturally air dry in the sun, which will help you get rid of any strong detergent smells coming from your clothes.
Why You Should Get It:
A robust and powerful detergent with a fantastic smell, Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent has the answers to all your oily, greasy problems! Click here to check other customer reviews on Amazon.
Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder
image source: charliesoap.comIf you want a natural and hypoallergenic option, then check out Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder. This is an eco-friendly laundry powder that is safe for you, your family, and the environment while being able to tackle those nasty grease and oil stains from your clothes. It is also cloth and diaper friendly. Charlie’s Soap is EPA SAFER CERTIFIED, which makes it one of the safest options you can get.
Check the price on AmazonFor those with sensitive skin or noses who don’t really like the smell of laundry detergent, Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder is an excellent option for you on the market.
The unique formula of this detergent works like magic on all kinds of fabrics, removing the odors and stains of oil and grease from your clothes. The best part is, you will not smell any strong laundry detergent smells, as this detergent does not use any artificial fragrances and brighteners!
With people becoming more and more health and environment-conscious, it just makes sense to switch over to a safer, nontoxic, hypoallergenic laundry detergent. Well, that is why Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder is an excellent choice for your homes.
If you require spot cleaning and don’t want to dunk your clothes into a washing machine, then Charlie’s Soap Laundry Detergent works excellent for hand washing your clothes as well! Add the laundry powder right on the oil and grease stain, use a soft brush to rub it in and rinse and repeat till your clothes are fresh and stain-free!
Why We Like It:
- Hypoallergenic formula; safe for babies, people with sensitive skin and safe for the environment
- You can use the laundry detergent on all kinds of fabrics without any damage
- Hand wash or machine wash- the detergent works beautifully for all
- Fragrance-free formula; removes odors without adding perfumes
What We Don’t Like:
- Since it is a powder form, it can coagulate and get stuck to your pipe and cause problems later on
The fix: When running your rinse cycle, make sure to run a cycle with clean water just so you are sure that you wash away all of the powder residues without causing any blockage in your pipes.
Why You Should Get It:
The organic formula of Charlie’s Soap Laundry Detergent, along with the no-fragrance solution, is a blessing for most people who have sensitivities! Remove oil and grease with ease! Click here to check other customer reviews on Amazon.
Can I wash clothes with oil on them?
When it comes to getting rid of that pesky oil stain on your clothes, you should not simply throw your clothes in the washer and hope for the best. The best course of action here would be to pre-treat the stain with your favorite laundry detergent. You can even use dishwashing detergent.
Wet the area with the stain and add some laundry detergent directly on the area, rub it in and let it sit for 15 minutes. After this, you can throw your clothes into the washer and quickly get rid of any trace of oil or grease from your clothes. Depending upon how fresh the oil is, you need to work fast!
How to prep your greasy clothes before you wash them?
Getting rid of oily and grease stains on your clothes requires a lot of prep! Thankfully, it is quite easy to do this with the right laundry detergent. All you need to do is apply some laundry detergent directly on to the area with the grease stain on your clothes.
Use a soft brush or your fingers to rub the detergent into the fabric gently, but don’t be too rough on it. Then, allow it to sit for about 15 to 30 minutes before you pop it into the washing machine or even manually wash the stain.
What temperature should you wash greasy clothes?
When it comes to getting rid of grease and oil from your clothes, the perfect temperature matters. Too hot, and you can set the stains in even further, too cold, and it won’t even work!
The most important thing is to check the instructions on the label of your clothes; this will tell you if you should wash it in hot or cold water. For hot water, use a temperature between 120 and 140 degrees F. For cold water, use 65 to 75 degrees F. If you need warm water, the ideal temperature is 85 degrees to 105 degrees F.
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