How To Remove Cooking Oil From Carpet

Most cooking oil stains and spills can be removed with dish washing detergent and water, but some types of oils will require a solvent based removal process, like acetone-free nail polish remover.

Start with the simplest process first. As always, with anything you’re attempting on your carpets around DIY remedies and home-cleaning processes, test it first in a hidden corner of a room somewhere that doesn’t get used much. That way, if you accidentally damage the carpet, it won’t bother you so much.

And, use only a white towel or cloth in the carpet stain removal process.

Using a towel or cloth with colours can cause the colours from the cloth or towel to bleed into the carpet, and make a significant mess. 

With the testing out of the way, mix a teaspoon of dishwashing soap with a litre of warm water. Use this mixture to wet your cloth, and start with a dabbing motion from the outside of the spilled or stained area and move in towards the centre of the cooking oil stain. Be sure not to over-wet the area, otherwise the problem will get worse.

Leave the area to dry fully before you assess the results – wet carpet can be difficult to judge, especially when you’re removing oils.If the dish washing detergent in warm water hasn’t helped, try using a nail-polish removal technique as described in our article on removing nail polish from carpet.

The same solvent-based cleaner will work to remove most oils, in most circumstances, but be sure to follow the safety directions!