7 Best Detergent to Get Oil Out of Clothes for Workwear

Rockin’ Green Active Wear Detergent Pods are the top pick for most buyers because they are made for activewear, where sweat, body oil, and odors collect. If you need the best detergent to get oil out of clothes, these premeasured pods offer a simple start. They suit gym clothes and everyday laundry, but pods limit dosing for very small loads.

This guide is for anyone cleaning greasy workwear, workout clothes, or washable synthetic fabrics. The key factors are oil-cutting performance and fabric compatibility, especially with polyester, nylon, and stretch blends. Load size matters too, since one pod may be excessive for a small wash. The 7 picks below are ranked with reasons and honest drawbacks for each, so you can compare cleaning power, convenience, and value before choosing.

Quick Comparison

7 Top Detergents for Greasy Clothes

This ranked list counts down from solid everyday options to the strongest overall pick for removing oil stains.

7. The Laundress Signature Laundry Detergent

Best for: Scented laundry in busy households

The Laundress Signature Luxury Laundry Detergent is a concentrated, bio-based liquid for whites and colors. The 126-load bottle works in HE and standard machines, with cool-water washing supported. Its triple-enzyme formula targets fresh and set-in stains, dirt, grease, and oil in one wash. At around $82, it costs roughly 65 cents per load, though prices may change.

The main draw is its broad fabric range. Use it on shirts, cotton, polyester, synthetics, blends, sheets, towels, and other household linens. The Classic scent combines citrus and marine notes with lavender, rose, jasmine, and lily of the valley. Musk, oakmoss, patchouli, sandalwood, and cedarwood create a deeper finish. The fragrance may appeal to shoppers who want clothes and bedding to smell perfumed after washing. For stubborn spots, The Laundress recommends pairing this detergent with its separate Stain Solution.

Pros

• 126 loads provide a long supply for weekly laundry.
• Triple enzymes address stains, grease, oil, and everyday dirt.
• Works with whites, colors, cool water, HE machines, and standard washers.

Cons

• Around $82 costs more upfront than many mainstream detergents.
• The strong multi-note fragrance may not suit scent-sensitive households.

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6. OxiClean Stain Remover Powder

Best for: Multi-room stain and laundry cleanup

OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder comes in a 3-pound container for laundry and household cleaning. Its oxygen-powered formula activates with water, so you can use it as a presoak or add it to a regular wash as a booster. It targets everyday dirt, grime, and set-in stains on machine-washable shirts, sheets, towels, shoes, hats, workout clothing, and children’s or baby clothes.

The main appeal is flexibility. One tub has more than 101 suggested uses, extending beyond the laundry room. Follow the label directions to mix a solution for kitchen, bathroom, furniture, and floor cleaning on suitable hard or soft surfaces. The powder is chlorine-free and color-safe for white, colored, and dark fabrics. It is also listed as septic tank-safe. Results depend on the stain, fabric, water temperature, and soak time. Check care labels first, especially for delicate materials.

Pros

• One 3-pound tub handles laundry and household cleaning tasks.
• Works as a presoak or wash booster with regular detergent.
• Chlorine-free, color-safe formula suits white, colored, and dark fabrics.

Cons

• You must measure and dissolve the powder according to the label, which adds a step.
• It is intended for machine-washable items, so delicate or dry-clean-only fabrics need another method.

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5. Death to Dirt Riptide Laundry Detergent Sheets

Best for: Travelers, campers, and small-space laundry

Death to Dirt Riptide laundry detergent comes as 32 liquidless sheets. Tear each sheet in half for light loads, or use a full sheet for tougher laundry, giving the pack up to 64 loads. The sheets dissolve in hot or cold water, so there is no jug to pour or cup to clean. At around $14, the cost works out to roughly 22 cents per load when you get the full 64 loads. The Riptide scent leaves clothes with a fresh, noticeable fragrance.

The compact format is the main draw. These plant-based, biodegradable sheets contain no plastic, phosphates, dyes, or added fake fragrances, according to the product description. They fit in a drawer, dorm room, suitcase, or gym bag without spill risk. Death to Dirt also positions the formula for sweat, grease, mud, and outdoor grime while remaining suitable for families and sensitive skin. For regular loads, half a sheet helps stretch the pack. Heavier soil may call for the full sheet.

Pros

• 32 sheets can cover up to 64 loads.
• Plastic-free sheets avoid bulky jugs and liquid spills.
• Plant-based, biodegradable formula contains no phosphates or dyes.

Cons

• The Riptide scent may feel too noticeable for fragrance-sensitive shoppers.
• Tougher loads may need a full sheet, reducing the advertised 64-load count.

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4. RLR Natural Laundry Detergent Powder

Best for: cloth diapers and musty towels

RLR Natural Laundry Detergent Powder is a fragrance-free laundry treatment for cloth diapers, towels, workout clothes, and other washable fabrics. The single-pack product uses one packet in a presoak, prewash, or regular wash cycle. It targets stains and odors from grease, blood, tea, coffee, urine, and feces. It also addresses musty towels and old fragrance buildup. The powder can be used with colored clothing and whites.

Its strongest practical feature is flexibility. RLR is designed for HE machines and is labeled septic-safe, biodegradable, vegan, hypoallergenic, and non-toxic. It contains no phosphates, parabens, optical brighteners, SLS/SLES, or artificial fragrance, which may suit households avoiding scented products. The maker says it softens hard water without clogging pipes or leaving residue in the machine. At around $6, it is a low-cost laundry add-on, but one packet may not last long for frequent diaper washing.

Pros

• Works in presoak, prewash, and regular wash cycles.
• Fragrance-free formula suits many sensitive-skin households.
• Compatible with HE machines and labeled septic-safe.

Cons

• The pack contains only one packet, so frequent users may need replacements often.
• It is a laundry treatment, not a complete replacement for regular detergent in every wash.

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3. Nonaste Activewear Sport Laundry Detergent

Best for: Odor-prone synthetic workout clothes

Nonaste Activewear Sport Laundry Detergent is made for sweat-soaked clothing, including running kits, cycling jerseys, workwear, hats, headbands, and sweatbands. This unscented formula uses enzymes and plant-based surfactants to target oil and odor trapped in synthetic fabrics. The two-bottle pack includes 32 ounces per bottle, and it costs around $30, though prices can change.

The formula leaves out perfume, phosphate, and animal testing. That makes it a practical choice for shoppers who dislike scented laundry products or want a gentler option for technical clothing. Use one capful for heavily worn gear and two for especially dirty loads. You can also soak items in warm water for 20 minutes, then rinse them by hand. Nonaste says the detergent leaves no filmy residue and may help activewear recover its moisture-wicking function. Results can still vary based on fabric age, sweat buildup, and washing habits.

Pros

• Unscented formula leaves no perfume smell behind.
• Enzymes and plant-based surfactants target sweat oils and odor.
• Works for machine washing or a 20-minute hand soak.

Cons

• The two-pack costs more than many basic laundry detergents.
• One or two capfuls per load makes the bottle’s total wash count unclear.

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2. Rockin’ Green Active Wear Laundry Detergent Sheets

Best for: Fragrance-sensitive households and gym clothes

Rockin’ Green Active Wear Laundry Detergent Sheets provide a dry, pre-measured alternative to liquid detergent. This unscented version contains no added fragrance, so it may suit people who dislike perfume on clothing or have sensitive skin. Each pack covers up to 104 loads, depending on load size and the amount of detergent used. At around $15, it costs little upfront and can last for several months in a typical home.

The formula combines plant-based components, natural minerals, and an enzyme blend made for sweat and odor buildup on activewear. You tear off a sheet and place it in the washer, with no bottle, cap, or liquid spill to manage. The sheets work in standard and high-efficiency machines. They are also designed to dissolve in hot or cold soft water without leaving detergent residue. That water qualification matters, since the product information does not make the same promise for hard water. The fragrance-free formula also means clothes will not come out with a scented finish.

Pros

• Up to 104 loads per pack provides a long supply.
• Pre-measured sheets avoid spills, drips, and measuring cups.
• Enzyme-based formula targets sweat and activewear odors.

Cons

• The stated dissolving performance applies to hot or cold soft water, not all water conditions.
• Heavy stains may still require pretreatment, since the product is designed as a general detergent sheet rather than a dedicated stain remover.

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1. Rockin’ Green Active Wear Detergent Pods

Best for: Unscented activewear and sensitive skin

Rockin’ Green Active Wear Detergent Pods are single-use laundry capsules made for workout clothing and everyday fabrics. Each package covers 40 loads and costs around $20, or about 50 cents per load. The formula uses broad-spectrum enzymes to target sweat odors and stains from long workouts. You place one pod in the washer, so there is no liquid measuring or dripping.

The unscented, vegan formula skips bleach, sulfates, parabens, phosphates, and artificial fragrance. That makes it a reasonable option for people who dislike scented laundry products or have sensitive skin, though no detergent can guarantee a reaction-free result. The formula is designed for technical fabrics and microfiber materials, which can require gentler care than standard cotton. Rockin’ Green also describes these pods as cruelty-free and biodegradable. Its customer support page promises a response within 48 hours if buyers are dissatisfied.

Pros

• Enzymes target workout odors and common laundry stains.
• Unscented formula avoids added fragrance on skin and clothing.
• Pod format reduces measuring and liquid spills.

Cons

• Fixed-dose pods offer less control for very small or lightly soiled loads.
• The unscented formula will not mask lingering odors with fragrance, and the product listing gives limited detail about its biodegradable packaging.

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Buying Guide

The most important factor is grease-cutting power. Choose a laundry detergent labeled for oil, grease, food stains, or automotive grime, since regular formulas may leave oily marks behind.

• Surfactant strength: Look for ingredients such as alcohol ethoxylates or other grease-dissolving surfactants near the top of the ingredient list. Products made for grease are usually a better choice than basic fabric detergents.
• Pretreatment instructions: Choose a formula that allows direct application to stains for 5 to 15 minutes before washing. Never let the product dry fully on fabric unless the label permits it.
• Enzyme content: A detergent containing lipase can help break down cooking oils and body oils. Check the label, since enzyme blends vary between brands.
• Fabric compatibility: Confirm that the cleaner suits cotton, polyester, and blended fabrics. Avoid using strong degreasers on wool, silk, leather, or garments marked dry-clean only.
• Wash performance and value: Select a product that works in warm water, around 30 to 40°C, when the care label allows it. Compare cost per load, and favor packages with at least 40 loads for routine laundry.

If you cannot have everything, prioritize proven grease-cutting surfactants over scent, packaging, or extra additives.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose a detergent for oil stains on clothes?

Choose a heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent with grease-cutting surfactants for oil-stained clothes. Liquid formulas can soak into fabric before washing, unlike many powders that may sit on the surface. Apply a small amount directly to the mark, wait 5 to 10 minutes, then wash using the warmest safe setting.

What detergent removes motor oil from work clothes?

A concentrated liquid detergent made for grease and heavy soil is the best choice for motor oil on work clothes. Pretreat the stain before washing, and keep oily items out of the dryer until the mark disappears. For a fresh spot, let the detergent sit for about 15 minutes before laundering.

Can regular laundry detergent remove cooking oil from shirts?

Yes, regular liquid laundry detergent can remove cooking oil from shirts when you pretreat the stain and use a suitable wash temperature. Rub detergent into the spot from both sides, then wait 10 minutes. Avoid hot drying, since heat can set any oil left behind into the fibers.

Are powder detergents good for greasy laundry?

Powder detergents can clean greasy laundry, but liquid detergents usually work better for pretreating individual oil marks. Dissolve the powder fully in the wash, especially with cold water, to reduce residue. For a shirt collar or food splash, apply liquid detergent directly and wash within 24 hours.

Conclusion

Rockin’ Green Active Wear Detergent Pods are the top recommendation for athletes and anyone washing sweat-soaked workout clothes regularly. If your priority is tackling heavy cooking grease on mixed household laundry, choose a formula labeled for grease removal, since it may suit kitchen stains better than a sports-focused pod. Before buying, double-check the package size, washer compatibility, pod quantity, and current price, since listings and value can change. Match the detergent to your machine and water temperature, then follow the dose printed on the package. For set-in oil, blot excess residue first and pretreat the mark if the care label allows it. Keep stained items out of the dryer until the mark disappears, because high heat can set oily residue.