Cooking oil stains can be a mess to clean up, if you don't follow the right steps.

In addition, the main substance we normally think of to clean stains -- water -- actually is repelled by cooking oil stains, which makes it more difficult to remove them.
That is why below are step by step instructions for removing canola oil stains from clothing, upholstery and carpet.
Step 1: Rub a small amount of hand dishwashing soap into the fabric.
Step 2: Rinse the stained area well, flushing away both the canola oil and the dishwashing liquid solution.
Step 3: Pretreat the stain with a laundry prewash stain remover.
Step 4: Launder the fabric in the hottest water allowed for the fabric to thoroughly remove the stain and the canola oil.
Hint: The hot water helps loosen the oil further, making it easier to remove.
Additional hint: Be sure the stain is gone after washing, and before you place in the dryer or you may set the stain. It is difficult to get out set oil stains. Repeat if necessary.
You may also want to watch this video demonstrating how to remove cooking oil stains from clothing with dishwashing liquid and a toothbrush.
Step 1: Blot up as much of the canola oil as possible from the upholstery without spreading the stain further.
Hint: Use clean absorbent cloths or white paper towels.
Step 2: Place an absorbent, such as cornstarch or baking soda, onto the oil stain, and let it soak in for approximately 15 minutes.
Step 3: Scrape or vacuum up the absorbent, which has absorbed some of the canola oil.
Hint: Depending on the amount of the canola oil spilled you may need to repeat this step a couple of times. Continue repeating this step until no more oil is absorbed by the baking soda or corn starch.
Step 4: For the vegetable oil still remaining on the upholstery take a clean white cloth and sponge the stain caused by the oil with a dry-cleaning solvent.
Hint: First, be sure to test this solvent on an inconspicuous area of the upholstery to make sure it is safe.
Step 5: Next, blot at the stain until the solvent is absorbed.
Step 6: Repeat steps 4-5 until the canola oil stains are removed from the upholstery.
If that does not work you can mix a solution of two cups cool water and one tablespoon dishwashing liquid, and using this solution, sponge the stain with a clean white cloth, blotting at the solution until the liquid is absorbed, and the stain removed.
Once the stain from the canola oil is gone use plain cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the cleaning solution, and then blot dry.
Hint: Be sure to get the upholstery only as wet as necessary for canola oil stain removal.
You can get more information on how to clean upholstery here.
The instructions for canola oil stain removal from carpet is the same as for upholstery.
Do you have your own stain removal tip for removing stains from cooking oil and grease? If so, submit your tip about how to remove oil stains here, or read tips already submitted by others.
Are you a stain magnet like me? If so, check out the A to Z Stain Removal Guide which gives directions for how to remove over 100 types of stains from all kinds of surfaces.
Below are examples of the most common stains discussed in the Guide.
Photo by cathyse97

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CAUTION: This website is provided for informational purposes only, and Stain-Removal-101.com provides it as is, without warranties or guarantees. Some stains just won't come out, and are permanent. Further, some stain removal methods can harm your item, so if the stained item is sentimental or expensive call a professional. See disclaimer of liability for more information.
See the A-Z Stain Removal Guide for even more types of stains.
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