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How To Remove Coconut Oil Stains From Clothes

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If you are a coconut oil fanatic and use it for practically anything and everything, then there is a strong likelihood that you will spill some on your clothing, the carpet, or possibly even your favorite microfiber chair!

Aaack! A coconut oil stain! What should you do?

Here’s how to remove coconut oil stains from clothes and other surfaces.

Spilled coconut oil on a wood floor with baking soda surrounding it

When it comes to coconut oil, it is pretty easy to avoid a permanent oily mark. The quicker you can deal with it the better but typically, you can even get older stains out if you do it right!

For new coconut oil spills

  1. Blot the excess coconut oil out with towels. Use plain, white towels, as coconut oil can remove dyes from towels or paper towels if the dyes are of a poor quality and not set into the fabric of paper correctly.
  2. Apply baking soda, arrowroot powder, or cornstarch to the stain. Sprinkle it generously over the stain. No – sprinkle more. More I said!
  3. Let the baking soda/arrowroot powder/cornstarch sit on the stain for a good 10 minutes. It should turn light brown as it soaks up the oil.
  4. If you are dealing with a really deep spill or bad stain you may need to add more baking soda/arrowroot powder/cornstarch. If the stain/oil spot turns brown within a couple of minutes, add more baking soda/arrowroot powder/cornstarch. Repeat until it takes almost 10 minutes to turn brown.
  5. Scrape the baking soda/arrowroot powder/cornstarch off with something like a credit card or a thin but sturdy piece of cardboard.
  6. Wash the clothing in the clothes washer on the hottest possible setting. Hot water helps to “melt” the oil. If you have Oxygen Bleach then you will want to add that to the load.
  7. Dry as normal. The stain should be gone!

For stains on carpet or upholstery or even wood floors, vacuum up the excess baking soda/arrowroot powder/cornstarch and use a towel soaked in warm water to wipe up the area that was soiled. Allow to air dry.

How do you remove coconut oil stains from clothes when the stain has set?

Well – it isn’t 100% guaranteed but I have had luck with this method which is suitable for stains on clothing, carpets, and upholstery.

  1. Add 6 ounces of Oxygen Bleach powder to 1 gallon of hot water.
  2. Stir until completely dissolved.
  3. Place stained clothing in the bucket of solution and completely immerse it.
  4. Allow it to soak for two hours.
  5. After soaking, the stain should be gone.
  6. Follow by washing the clothing in the clothes washer on the hottest possible setting. In this case, the temperature of water for removing coconut oil stains from clothes is important.

To adapt this to use on stains on carpet and upholstery, simply mix the solution and soak the stained area with it. After an hour, rub vigorously and the coconut oil stain should be gone. Allow to air dry!

Baking soda being vacuumed up from a wood floor in an attempt to remove a coconut oil stain

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Comments

  1. Thanks for the tips…. I have a favorite purple shirt that somehow got coconut oil on it and I haven’t been able to get it out. I would *never* have thought to use baking soda/arrowroot! I’ll have to try that next time I get a fresh spill. For now, I’ll try soaking the shirt in oxygen bleach. Thanks again.

  2. I love DeSolve It to remove oil stains. Just spray it on, let it sit a few minutes, and pour some detergent over it to prevent shadow marks! Works great on silk and Rayon blouses! It’s all natural!

  4. What do you suggest for washing towels if you apply oil to your skin after showering? My towels get… different and not as fluffy. They’ve even had a funny smell from a build up of oil I guess.

    • Are you washing your towels in hot or cold water? I find that I have to wash in cold. Hot water always gives my towels a different texture regardless of what is on them.

  5. i have brown stains under the arms of my tops- from coconut oil and arrowroot deodorant …what takes that out ?!
    i just tried some washing soda and dawn w/ hydrogen peroxide and got the stains out of hubby’s shirt that got some on it . it worked !

    • Hi Natasha! What material is the suit made from? If it is a blend, please give me the breakdown of materials if you know it. Thanks!

        • Hmmmmm…..now that is a good question. I will share that I spilled coconut oil on a wool mattress topper and used this method with success. What kind of wool is the suit? I am wondering if that might make a difference.

    • Hmmmm…..a down pillow. Well I’ll tell you what! I have a spot on my down comforter that I haven’t dealt with yet. I’ll see what I come up with for you!

  9. Warm oil got splashed on a painted wall surface and has left a stain. I have tried to wash it but the stain remains. Can it be removed? If not, San it be painted over?

  10. Help! Dumped coconut oil on dark avacado microfiber couch. Put corn starch on the stain but am afraid to even scrape it for fear it will be pushed into the upholstery. Any ideas?
    Thanks

  12. My husband used coconut oil on his skin to ease the itch from psoriasis. He used alot of it all the time. Now all of his cargo shorts are coated with it. Right after they were washed they looked fine but after sitting through the winter they have a white oily film all over them. Help!!! I cant seem to get it all out.

  13. I didnt see where you mentioned how to get it out of carpeting. Cornstarch or banking soda for that? then what?

    • Here is the little blurb I included on that: For stains on carpet or upholstery or even wood floors, vacuum up the excess baking soda/arrowroot powder/cornstarch and use a towel soaked in warm water to wipe up the area that was soiled. Allow to air dry.

  14. Help! I got coconut oil on my head board( which is a light grey fabric material) I put cornstarch and baking soda on it and it didn´t come out. Now its been a few days, what should I do?

  15. I had spilled it on my microfiber couch and just thought to try dish soap and water and scrub it out and now it’s air drying. Could I try these steps tomorrow considering it’d be dry technically an “old stain”

  16. Coconut oil hair serum spilled on my sofa. I tried rubbing with dish soap and also baking soda. Nothing worked. Would oxygen bleach would be safe on sofa? Also any advises?

    • Oxygen bleach should work well however, test on an inconspicuous area first just to be safe. Hydrogen peroxide, diluted, would also work. But again, test it first.