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 2025
- DEEP CLEAN IN 1 WASH: Upgrade to Tide PODS for effortless, powerful results in one step. Tide PODS laundry detergent cleans tough stains + odors in just 1 wash
- 3-IN-1 LAUNDRY SOAP: Tide PODS are pre-measured, concentrated laundry detergent pacs with built-in stain removers, odor fighters, and color protectors
- FIGHTS ODORS: Tide PODS laundry soap cleans deep and fights odors, with long-lasting Tide Spring Meadow freshness to keep your household’s laundry smelling great
OUR REVIEW of Tide PODS Laundry Detergent Pacs,...
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.
- Cleans, removes stains, and protects colors
- The multi-chamber pod design works for maximum cleaning power
- Quick-dissolving Smart Suds work in all machines
- Pods can be a bit more expensive per load than liquid detergent
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
- It's got 10X cleaning power
- 3-in-1 laundry solution
- Quick-dissolving film
- Works in all machine types
- With powerful Persil liquid laundry detergent, get a premium deep clean with every wash
- Persil Advanced Clean Oxi+Odor Power contains powerful stain fighting enzymes and odor eliminating technology
- Persil Advanced Clean Oxi+Odor Power laundry detergent has fabric protection technology to keep whites and colors vibrant
OUR REVIEW of Persil Advanced Clean Oxi+Odor Power,...
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.
- Stain-fighting enzymes break down tough grime
- Effectively brightens whites
- Works in cold water
- Its scent may be too strong for some users
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
- Concentrated liquid formula
- Stain-fighting enzymes
- Long-lasting freshness
- Works in all machine types
- Odor Blasters eliminates tough odors!
- Powers out dirt and odors using the power of OxiClean Stain Fighters and ARM & HAMMER freshness
- Specially formulated for body odor, sweat and mustytowel odors
OUR REVIEW of Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Odor Blasters...
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.
- Uses the natural power of baking soda
- Extracts and traps dirt and odors
- Lower-suds formula
- Not as effective on deeply set-in stains
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
- Made with baking soda
- Low-suds formula
- Works in HE and standard machines
- Affordable price per load
- Contains (4) 53.5 ounce bottles of concentrated, high efficiency laundry detergent
- Concentrated formula delivers mighty cleaning power for HE and standard washers
- Plant-based formula fights tough dirt and stains
OUR REVIEW of Method Liquid Laundry Detergent;...
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.
- Plant and enzyme-based cleaning power
- Formulated without sulfates
- Gentle on most fabrics
- May not be as powerful on heavy, set-in stains
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
- Plant-based formula
- No sulfates
- Color-safe for all fabrics
- ECO-FRIENDLY CLEANING POWER: Concentrated powdered laundry soap works on all your laundry, from high-tech fabrics to delicates, washing away smells, stains, and left-behind residue from previous detergents.
- HYPOALLERGENIC: Washing soda and powerful, natural ingredients work together to deep clean, rinse from fabrics completely, and leave nothing on your clothes. The fragrance-free formula is ideal for those with sensitive skin and will not cover stains or odors with artificial brighteners or perfumes. Our powder laundry detergent is safe for hand washing.
- CLOTH DIAPER FRIENDLY: This detergent is safe to use on baby fabrics, effectively deep cleaning cloth diapers and other baby clothes between wears perfectly along with your other baby essentials.
OUR REVIEW of Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder...
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.
- Hypoallergenic and non-toxic
- Unscented for sensitive skin
- Deep cleans to remove trapped odors
- The powder form can clump if not added properly
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
- Concentrated powder or liquid
- Hypoallergenic
- Unscented
- Great value per load
- Zum Laundry Soap: A mix of gentle, grime-busting ingredients makes our liquid laundry soap safer for even the most sensitive launderers
- Efficient, Plant-Based Laundry Soap: This 64-ounce bottle of Zum Laundry Soap cleans up to 64 loads and is low-sudsing; it's also highly concentrated and perfect for high-efficiency machines
- Sultry Scent Notes: Amber Zum has notes of vetiver and patchouli for grounding energy, while lavender adds sweetness and cedar and bergamot top things off
OUR REVIEW of Indigo Wild Zum Clean Laundry Soap...
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.
- It's made with essential oils for a natural scent
- Low-sudsing formula
- Free of harsh chemicals
- Not a heavy-duty stain remover
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
- Plant-based formula
- Essential oils
- Low-sudsing
- Cruelty-free
- Low suds laundry detergent
- Economical choice
- Powder has a fresh lemon scent
OUR REVIEW of Boardwalk BWKHURACAN40 Low Suds Industrial Powder...
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.
- Industrial strength for tough cleaning
- Very economical per load
- Includes whitening agents
- The large tub is heavy and can be hard to store
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
- Industrial-strength powder
- Economical
- Works on many stain types
- High-performance formula
- LAUNDRY BIO-ENZYMATIC FORMULA: Helps break down and destroy tough pet stains and odors, such as urine, feces, vomit, blood, grass and drool.
- GENTLE ON FABRICS: Perfect for use on clothing, pet beds and more—not for use on specialty fabrics, including washable silk, khaki, fluorescents, wool, suede and leathers.
- SAFE FOR PETS AND HOME: Formulated without phosphates, parabens, sulfates and bleach, this product is safe for use around pets and home, when used as directed.
OUR REVIEW of Nature’s Miracle Laundry Boost...
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.
- Uses bio-enzymatic technology
- Boosts your regular detergent's power
- Safe for HE machines
- Must be used with a separate detergent
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
- It's got a bio-enzymatic formula
- Phosphate-free
- Odor remover
- HE machine safe
- You will receive (2) bottles of Original Strength Febreze In Wash Odor Eliminator, 50 fl oz
- ELIMINATES ODORS FROM THE SOURCE: Removes the toughest of odors instead of masking them. Add to your laundry detergent to remove common odors found in baby and kids clothes, mens and womens clothes, workout clothes, caused by food stains, sweat, smoke, fire pits, mold and mildew.
- FOR BEST RESULTS: Pretreat hard-to-remove odors by placing the item in hot water, add 1 capful of Febreze In Wash Odor Eliminator and soak. Continue with normal wash. For Light Odors use 1 capful. For Heavy, use 1 1/2 capfuls. For Extreme Odors, use up to 2 capfuls.
OUR REVIEW of Febreze Laundry Detergent Additive,...
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.
- Eliminates odors instead of masking them
- Professional-strength formula
- Safe to use with other detergents
- It's an odor eliminator, not a primary cleaner
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
- Professional-strength
- Odor-eliminating
- Works with other products
- Good for uniforms
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.
Last update on 2025-10-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API