How to Get Grease Stains Out of Clothes: The Ultimate Guide with Lestoil
Struggling with stubborn grease stains on your clothes? You’re not alone! Many of us face this annoying problem, but I have a tried-and-true solution that works wonders: Lestoil. This powerful cleaner has been my go-to for years, and today I’ll share my tips on how to get grease stains out of clothes effectively.
Now and then I open my mailbox to find a letter that makes me want to jump up and run around yelling, “I know the answer! I know exactly how to fix this problem!” That’s exactly what happened when I heard from Chris …
Dear Mary: As one whose hands tremble a bit (I’ve been thoroughly checked and it’s not a serious matter) I am forever dropping food on my clothing while I eat. That results in grease spots that set in no matter what I do.
I have tried pre-washes, baking soda, double washing, and stain removers. I have not found anything that will remove the grease stains and I am not willing to wear a bib, especially while eating in a nice restaurant with friends and family. I am on a limited budget, and this is becoming a real issue. Please help! Chris
I can identify because I have a similar problem—the result of cooking over a splattering stove while failing to wear an apron! I know what you mean about tough grease spots setting into my clothes and refusing to budge. But not to worry. I have the perfect solution—one I’ve used nearly every day of my life since I found it.
Why Lestoil is the Best for Removing Grease Stains
Lestoil Heavy Duty Multi-Purpose Cleanser
Lestoil, pronounced “less toil”, is a product that’s been around for at least a hundred years. Your mother probably used it on your clothes when you were a kid. It is a thick liquid stain treatment that is not easy to find. I understand that some Walmart stores carry it, which you will find in the laundry aisle or online; now and then I’ll see it at Home Depot. For sure you can always find Lestoil Concentrated Heavy Duty Cleaner online at Amazon. I buy two bottles at a time, because I don’t ever want to run out of Lestoil.
Here’s the thing with Lestoil: I find it very stinky. It smells like the inside of a greasy machine shop. Surprisingly, I have readers who find the scent endearing, but be that as it may, the smell will disappear in the laundry once you wash the stain-treated garment.
Pro Tip
With any cleaning product including Lestoil, always test first in an inconspicuous place like an inner seam or hem to see how it will react with that specific fabric type and color. Allow to sit for at least a few hours, then rinse well and dry.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Lestoil for Stain Removal
By following these tips and using Lestoil, you can effectively get grease stains out of clothes and keep them looking their best. Whether you’re dealing with cooking splatters or accidental spills, Lestoil is a powerful solution that has stood the test of time.
- Saturate: Pour Lestoil into a spray bottle for ease of use so you can blast grease stains, old stains, food stains, make-up stains, and any other stain you manage to pick up. The smell may be strong, but it’s worth it for the results.
- Roll it up: Next—and this is very important—roll up the treated item and leave it overnight. (I’ve tried letting it sit for an hour or so, but find that may not be long enough to guarantee a good result.)
- Rinse: In the morning, rinse the treated area in the sink to remove the Lestoil (just to be safe, as some newer washing machines warn against putting petroleum-based products into the machine).
- Launder as usual: Last, wash and dry these items as usual, and Voila!, stains are gone without a trace of the infamous Lestoil odor.
- Repeat as needed: There have been a few times that a stain did not come out completely on my first attempt. On that rare occasion, rather than give up, I repeat the process with Lestoil, letting it sit before laundry for up to a couple of days. So far, I’ve never had to resort to a third attempt.
Where to Buy Lestoil for Grease Stains
Finding Lestoil can be a bit tricky since it’s not available in every store. However, you can usually find it at:
- Amazon: Lestoil Concentrated Heavy Duty Cleaner
- Walmart: Available online here. Some locations carry Lestoil in the laundry aisle.
Tips for Effective Grease Stain Removal with Lestoil
Test First
With any cleaning product including Lestoil, always test first in an inconspicuous place like an inner seam or hem to see how it will react with that specific fabric type and color. Allow to sit for at least a few hours, then rinse well and dry.
Use a Spray Bottle
Pouring Lestoil into a spray bottle makes it easier to apply directly to stains.
Don’t Rush
Let the treated area sit overnight to ensure the best results. For particularly tough stains, allow it to sit for a couple of days.
Rinse Thoroughly
Make sure to rinse out the Lestoil thoroughly before washing the garment to avoid any potential damage to your washing machine.
Frequently Asked Questions About Removing Grease Stains
Can I use Lestoil on all fabrics?
It's always best to test Lestoil on an inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn't damage the fabric.
What if the grease stain doesn't come out on the first try?
If the stain persists, repeat the treatment process. Letting Lestoil sit for up to a couple of days can help remove stubborn stains.
Does Lestoil leave a smell on clothes?
While Lestoil has a strong smell, it typically washes out completely in the laundry.
Is Lestoil safe to use in my washing machine?
It's recommended to rinse the treated area thoroughly before putting the garment in the washing machine, as some newer machines warn against petroleum-based products.
Lestoil. It’s just plain wonderful.
Question: What’s your go-to solution for stubborn laundry stains? Share your best tips and tricks with us in the comments section.
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When you use Lestoil in your laundry, put a cup of ammonia in your rinse cycle. The smell will be gone.
Pretreating grease stains with LA’s Totally Awesome works very well, even on stains that have been washed and dried.
Great tip, Suzanne. Why didn’t I think of that?!
Lestoil reeks. Like Lysol and even if it does wash out in laundry–horrible A solution which has already been mentioned is Zout bar soap. It’s amazing. I have a bar next to sink in a soap dish–inside a plastic bag. Whenever there’s a stain (often!), I just take out the bar and rub it as if washing my hands. Back into plastic bag –it’s getting narrower with ongoing use). Stain is gone and no smell. Is Zout same as Fels Naphtha? Thanks.
BY THE WAY, please remember that many of your readers live in apartments which do not have washers & dryers. We rely on the coin operated machines and who knows what has been in those. If there is a good washer/dryer combo suitable for an apartment, please let us know. Need something portable to get inside without being noticed! Seriously.
That bar soap is Zote. Now that Fels Naptha Bar Soap is being discontinued, Zote make a good substitute.
Zout bar soap is The Absolute Best. Just rub the edge of the bar — it will get narrower and smaller with use — onto the greasy-dirty-stained area (have it slightly wet). Rub it in as if washing hands. That’s it. Let it sit for a few hours. Stains begin to disappear as you rub. Zout is also available in flake form (much like Ivory Flakes) but they don’t dissolve well. Still a good and inexpensive option. Also…..a great smell.
On another note: any information about cleaning vinegar will be welcome. Is the basic 6% acidity cleaning vinegar good or is it worth the $$$ to get the 24%-30% acidity version (complaints are that it is oily and has particles). Can they be diluted? Can I strengthen the 6% variety with citric acid (aka sour salt)? Thanks.
Cleaning Vinegar when labeled as such is usually 30% accidity.
Mary, I love you and all of your great tips.
I bought some Lestoil based on your recommendations. Oh boy, was I ever happy to have it on hand. I was staining a picture frame on my dining room table. Just a small job, I didn’t think I needed any protection on the carpet. I bumped the cardboard the stain was sitting on and sloshed walnut brown stain on my ivory colored carpet. I immediately thought of the Lestoil and it removed the stain from my carpet. I was dancing for joy because this mess was right in the walk way, no way to hide it.
6 bucks saved me hundreds of dollars, if not thousands because that mess would have required patched or replaced carpet.
Thank you for all you do. God bless you for helping the rest of us save money to be financially independent. You are the best!
Dee
I have found that regular blue dawn and oxyclean will get out most anything. just put dawn on the stain and then sprinkle with a little oxyclean rub between your knuckles throw in washer and run with the next load no rinsing or anything. It works great. Even gets blood stains out.
Which Oxiclean product, Sherry? There are several (detergent, stain remover, etc.) Thanks!
I got all excited and ordered Lestoil through the link on your site. Treated three shirts as suggested, then rinsed them thoroughly before running through the washing machine. The whole load stank of Lestoil when finished. Hoping a second washing will remove the smell. Very disappointing – but that scent sure took me back to childhood. And I’ll be able to use the product for other things.
Yes, as I said, Lestoil is stinky. Provided you are rinsing well, the odor disappears once items are dry. No need to rewash.
When I have a oil stain that didn’t come out with just the dawn. I use the blue dawn. I usually let set and harden up. I try to forget about it. I boil up some hot water. Then I take my garment lay in the bottom of the sink. Pour that hot water on it and let it set for a bit and run in a regular wash. Comes out great.
Home Depot is the best place to purchase Lestoil. About $6 for 48 ounces.
I use both Lestoil and Zout and both work wonders. I usually use Zout first though because of the odor. My son turned me on to Zout and Mary to Lextoil.
It was my mom’s laundry secret, and mine, too.
I have always had good results with fels naphtha bar soap. I wet the spot and rub the bar on it give it a little rub between my knuckles and put it into the laundry basket. When I do the laundry it just goes in! If there is still a trace of the grease, or whatever, I treat again. Even after the dryer, fels naphtha does it’s job!
Finally! I am redeemed!
About 20-25 years ago I wrote to you about the wonders of Lestoil. I had used it for many years as had my mom before me. But I never heard you mention it and figured my letter was lost in your piles. I couldn’t begin to tell you how many garments I “saved” with my trusty Lestoil. You are right about the smell and I agree with you on that. I do dilute mine a little because of the price going up and am still having good luck with it. Thanks, Mary for all your fantastic help and awesome ideas. Love you!
Well Priscilla, I don’t recall receiving your Lestoil message. I’m so sorry about that…and I don’t recall what prompted me to find out what it is, and how to use it. Lots of readers tell me there’s an old jingle that goes with Lestoil … it was a radio commercial or ? Not sure. Maybe you know
Jingle: It’s so easy when you use Lestoil…I can hear it in my head ..Great product
I squirt Dawn directly on the food stain/grease mark and toss the garment into the washing machine. It always comes out – no waiting, or rolling up or anything else. Just squirt a small amount (the size of the stain).
That works, too Pat! In fact, somewhere in the archives of this blog, I offer that as an excellent first response to a laundry stains. However, some grease and other stains, in my experience, require a more severe response. I find myself reaching for the Lestoil because I do not want to wash, dry and then see that the stain has survived.
Another hard to find, wonderful to use, may need two treatments is Zout. No petroleum based anything, this one is enzyme powered, gets out darn near anything and is pretty much safe and color safe for most fabrics. I always test, but haven’t had any problems with any fabric or color, not even silk.