How to Remove Oil Stains From Nylon Clothes

How to Remove Oil Stains From Nylon Clothes

The Spruce / Alex Dos Diaz

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 5 - 10 mins
  • Total Time: 45 mins - 1 hr
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0 to $10

Oil stains can be removed from nylon with some simple steps. Nylon is a man-made material often manufactured first in large plastic chips which are melted at high heat and drawn through a plate with dozens of tiny holes (a spinneret) to create strands of nylon yarn. The strands are woven into fabrics that make everything from sheer women's stockings to heavy tarps or tent fabrics.

While nylon is extremely durable, it is sensitive to high temperatures in the washer, dryer, or when ironing. Its fibers are dyed during manufacturing so the finished fabric is colorfast and resistant to fading, mold, insects, and water. The process that makes it so durable also makes it susceptible to oil stains. Luckily, it isn't too difficult to remove these stains at home.

 Stain type  Oil-based
 Detergent type  Heavy-duty
 Water temperature  Cold or warm
 Cycle type  Hand or delicate

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Washing machine or sink
  • Clothes dryer (optional)

Materials

  • Heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent
  • Laundry pre-treatment stain remover spray or gel

Instructions

How to Remove Oil Stains From Nylon Clothes

Oil stains on nylon exercise wear, nightclothes, shirts, or other garments can be tough, but quick treatment will usually remove them.

oil stain on nylon activewear

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska 

  1. Pre-Treat With Enzymatic or Heavy-Duty Detergent

    Apply an enzyme-based laundry pre-treatment spray or gel, such as Zout or Shout, to the stain. If you don't have a stain remover, substitute a bit of heavy-duty laundry detergent such as Tide or Persil. Work the stain remover into the stain with your fingers.

  2. Wash as Usual

    Follow the washing directions on the care label for the clothing item. Nylon can be hand washed or washed using the delicate cycle in a machine in cold or warm water. If the stain persists, reapply the laundry stain remover and then rewash the garment.

    Warning

    Don't put the clothing into a clothes dryer until the stain is entirely gone. Heat will set an oil stain, making it almost impossible to remove from nylon.

    pretreating the stained garment

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska 

  3. Use Low Heat to Dry

    Once you are sure that the stain is gone, dry the garment on the lowest heat setting of your dryer, or hang from a clothesline or drying rack to air-dry.

    Nylon and High Heat

    Never dry nylon on high heat, which can melt or damage the fibers.

    hanging the garment to dry
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Additional Tips for Handling Oil Stains on Nylon

Unless the nylon fibers are combined with non-washable fibers, nylon clothes can be machine or hand-washed using cool or warm water and any commercial or homemade detergent (check the manufacturer's care label.) When tackling oily stains on nylon, opt for a heavy-duty detergent.

If the item is delicate, like lingerie, consider hand-washing or use the gentle cycle in a washer with the item placed in a protective mesh bag.

It is always best to wash nylon garments with similar synthetic fabric items after you have closed all zippers and turned the garments inside out. Washing a nylon shirt with a pair of blue jeans can result in snags and pulls.

Nylon is quick-drying, and air drying is most gentle on these clothes. If you do choose to tumble dry on low heat, static cling may develop. This can be reduced by using natural wool dryer balls or a dryer sheet.

When to Call a Professional

If you have an especially stubborn oil stain on a nylon piece you cherish, consult a professional dry cleaner. Synthetic fibers such as nylon are notorious for holding on to oily stains. If the piece is a dry clean-only garment, you should have it cleaned first and foremost by a professional.

Warning

Ironing nylon clothes is not recommended because an iron at high heat can melt the fibers. If you must press something nylon or with nylon content, use a low iron temperature with a pressing cloth or a clothes steamer. Always hold the steam wand at least 12 inches from the fabric and keep it moving to prevent shrinkage.

FAQ
  • Does oil damage nylon?

    The properties of nylon make it damage-resistant to oil and chemicals at room temperature. Although it can absorb the oil in the form of a stain, there is no observable degradation of the fabric or chemical change that occurs.

  • Can you use an oil-based stain remover on nylon fabric?

    It's not recommended to resort to an oil-based solvent for nylon due to its ability to absorb the oil and create a new stain. While products such as petroleum jelly can loosen and break down certain stains, it would not be a safe method for nylon.

  • Can you bleach out an oil stain on nylon?

    Bleach should be a last resort for nylon and only if it's a non-chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach can cause synthetic fibers like nylon to yellow permanently.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. The Ultimate Stain-Removal Guide. Consumer Reports.

  2. Understand Your Fibers. University of Georgia Extension.