Best LAUNDRY DETERGENT for Grease and Oil

LAST UPDATED: Jan 10th, 2026

Grease and oil stains are among the toughest to remove from clothing. These stubborn stains don’t dissolve in water. Their molecules bond to fabric fibers, making them almost impossible to remove with a standard wash. Getting a grease stain out requires a detergent with specific, potent ingredients.

We’ve reviewed some of the most popular and effective products to find the best laundry detergent for grease and oil.

In a Hurry? Quick Picks Below!

Detailed Reviews of the
NINE Best LAUNDRY DETERGENTS for
Grease & Oil in 2026

OUR REVIEW of

Best for POWER and CONVENIENCE

Tide is a household name for a reason—its pods are a highly rated and effective solution for grease stains. The concentrated liquid detergent dissolves easily in any water temperature, making it a powerful stain fighter.

These Tide Pods are a 3-in-1 laundry solution, combining detergent, stain remover, and a color protector in a single unit. Each pod contains a highly concentrated formula with 90 percent cleaning ingredients to make your clothes brighter and whiter, wash after wash.

Pro Tip: For large loads, place two Tide Pods packs into the machine drum before adding your clothes. Use just one pack for smaller loads.

OUR REVIEW of

Best for STUBBORN STAINS

This German-made formula is known for its stain-fighting enzymes. Persil Advanced Clean is designed to fight stains, prevent odors, brighten whites, and provide long-lasting freshness. It’s very effective on grease and oil and works with all machine types. The liquid has a pleasant, mild scent you’ll love.

Pro Tip: Pre-treat the stain by rubbing a small amount of the liquid directly onto the greasy area before washing.

OUR REVIEW of

Best for EVERYDAY VALUE

Arm and Hammer is a low-suds detergent that uses the natural cleaning power of baking soda. Its combination of baking soda and special cleansing agents extracts and traps dirt, odors, and oil stains. This results in a powerful clean.

The special, lower-suds formula rinses clean and is designed to work in both standard and HE machines. This budget-friendly option leaves your clothes smelling fresh and clean.

Pro Tip: This is a perfect detergent for general cleaning and preventing stains from setting in. For tough, dried-on stains, pre-treat them with a grease remover first.

OUR REVIEW of

Best for a gentle, PLANT-BASED clean

This detergent offers a plant-based, enzyme-powered cleaning. Method Laundry Detergent removes difficult grease and oil stains. Because it’s formulated without sulfates, it’s gentle on fabrics.

It can even keep your whites brighter. For use, pour it directly onto the fabric to pre-treat stains. Be sure to check a small inside seam for colorfastness first.

Pro Tip: For pre-treating, apply the detergent directly to the stain and gently rub it into the fabric. Let it soak for a bit before you wash.

OUR REVIEW of

Best for a HYPOALLERGENIC Clean

Charlie’s Soap comes as a laundry powder or liquid. It is a highly concentrated, hypoallergenic formula. It deep cleans laundry by removing trapped odors and tough stains when used as directed. You don’t need a fabric softener with this product.

It’s an unscented cleaner that works well on tough grease and oil stains. A single pack provides over 300 loads, making it a great value.

Pro Tip: This detergent works best in soft water. If you have hard water, you may need a water softener or booster for best results.

OUR REVIEW of

Best for ESSENTIAL OIL Scent

Zum Clean Laundry Soap is a plant-based liquid soap that uses essential oils to freshen clothes. The coconut oil soap cleans without drying out fabrics, while baking soda handles smells.

This low-sudsing formula is free from parabens, phosphates, and sulfates. It’s tested on clothes, not on animals.

Pro Tip: For a standard washer, you’ll need to use about two ounces of this soap, which is more than other concentrated formulas.

OUR REVIEW of

Best for BULK & INDUSTRIAL Use

This industrial-strength, concentrated powder is a great value option. A large tub lasts a long time because you only need a few spoonfuls per load. The powder is effective against food stains, grease, and dirt and has a fresh lemon scent.

This high-performance formula also includes whitening agents to keep whites bright. The low-sudsing formula is suitable for HE washing machines.

Pro Tip: This powder works best for heavy-duty messes and large families. For a single person or small household, a smaller container may be more practical.

OUR REVIEW of

Best as a LAUNDRY BOOSTER

Nature’s Miracle Laundry Boost is a bio-enzymatic product. It’s phosphate-free and uses enzymes that permeate deep into fabrics to remove odors, grease, oil, and other difficult stains. This product is a laundry booster—it’s meant to be used along with your regular detergent. It’s low-sudsing and safe for HE washing machines.

Pro Tip: Add this to your wash cycle when you have heavily soiled items, like work uniforms or sports gear, to get the deepest clean.

OUR REVIEW of

Best for REMOVING ODORS

The Febreze Laundry Odor Eliminator removes tough odors that a standard detergent can’t. Its professional-strength formula works on odors from pets, sports, and cooking. You can use it with your regular detergent, soaps, and other laundry additives.

This product works to eliminate odors, not just mask them. It’s also handy for work uniforms or gym clothes.

Pro Tip: Use this in the wash cycle when you have items that hold onto strong smells, like cooking aprons or towels.

Buying Guide: How to Choose a Detergent

Choosing the right detergent for grease stains comes down to understanding the product. Think about these factors before you buy.

Enzymes and Surfactants: The best detergents for grease and oil contain stain-fighting enzymes like protease, lipase, and amylase. Surfactants are also key—they break down the surface tension of water to allow the cleaning agents to reach the fibers of your clothes.

Formula Type: Detergent comes in a few forms.

• Pods: Pre-measured and easy to use. They’re great for convenience, but can be more expensive.
• Liquid: Versatile and can be used to pre-treat stains.
• Powder: Often more affordable and suitable for heavily soiled clothes.

HE vs. Standard: If you have a High-Efficiency washing machine, you must use a detergent labeled “HE.” These detergents are low-sudsing and designed to work with less water, preventing damage to the machine.

FAQ for Removing OIL & GREASE

HOW DO YOU GET OLD OIL STAINS OUT OF CLOTHES?

For an old or set-in oil stain, you’ll need to pre-treat it. Try rubbing a small amount of liquid dish soap directly onto the stain. Then, use a soft toothbrush to work it in before washing the garment with a high-quality, enzyme-based detergent.

DOES HOT WATER REMOVE OIL STAINS?

No, hot water can make an oil stain worse. Heat causes oil to set into the fabric, making it harder to remove. Always use cold or warm water for the first wash to lift the stain before you use hot water.

WHAT IS THE BEST HOUSEHOLD PRODUCT TO REMOVE GREASE?

Dish soap is one of the most effective household products for removing grease. Since it’s made to cut through grease on dishes, it works well as a pre-treatment on clothes.

BOTTOM LINE

You do not need to struggle with grease and oil stains. By choosing the right product, you can keep your clothes looking new.

• For most people, Tide Pods are the best choice. They are powerful, easy to use, and a great all-in-one solution.
• If you deal with a lot of tough, stubborn stains, go with Persil ProClean.
• For a reliable, budget-friendly option that still gets the job done, Arm & Hammer is a great pick.

Choose the product that fits your specific needs, and enjoy a cleaner laundry day.