You know that sinking feeling when you pull a favorite shirt out of the dryer… only to spot a stain that somehow survived the wash?
Maybe it’s salad dressing, blood, or a mystery smudge you didn’t even notice until it was too late. You try a stain spray. You try soaking it. And when nothing works, the shirt quietly gets pushed to the back of the closet—or tossed into the “maybe someday” pile.
I’ve been there more times than I can count.
Over the years, I’ve tested just about every stain-removal trick out there, especially for stains that have already set in or gone through the dryer. And while a lot of methods work occasionally, I’ve never found anything quite as effective (or as simple) as lemon essential oil.
Lemon essential oil is a powerful, natural solvent that can break down and dissolve many stubborn stains—even old ones you thought were permanent. With just a few drops and a simple wash, you may be surprised by what disappears.
So if you’ve got stained favorites you’re not quite ready to give up on, don’t lose hope just yet. In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to use lemon essential oil to tackle tough stains and what types of stains it works best on.
How to Remove Stains with Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon essential oil really shines when you’re dealing with stains you didn’t catch right away. Instead of just masking discoloration, it helps break loose residue that’s been sitting in the fabric—giving old, set-in stains a second chance.
And it couldn’t be easier to use! Just follow these simple steps:
- Apply a few drops of lemon essential oil directly to the stain.
- Gently rub it in with your fingers or a soft cloth.
- Wash the item right away using your regular laundry detergent.
- Check the stain before drying. If it’s still faint, repeat the process and wash again before putting it in the dryer.
Pro Tip: Don’t let lemon essential oil sit on fabric for too long. Because it’s very concentrated, it can cause permanent yellowing if left on the stain without washing.
What Kind of Stains Does It Work On?
Lemon essential oil works best on oily, organic, and deeply set stains — especially the ones that seem to laugh at traditional stain removers. Here are some of the most common stain types readers have successfully removed, along with their own experiences.
Oil & Grease Stains (Butter, Salad Dressing, Cooking Oils)
“I had five tops with set-in old, oily stains (butter & salad dressing). I had tried various removal processes that did not work. The shirts were all different fabrics. I simply sprinkled the lemon oil on the dry stains and threw them in the washer with detergent. All the stains disappeared except two. I repeated the lemon oil and washed again — stains gone. It works like magic!!” – Anne S.
Blood Stains (Even Old or Dried-On)
“The dried blood stain that went through the dryer twice and didn’t come out was TOTALLY GONE after using it. Never did I think that was going to happen! Love this stuff!” – Barb A.
Food Stains & Dining Mishaps
“It got a stain out while at a restaurant. The stain just vanished.” – Katie M.
Carpet, Rug, & Upholstery Stains
“It worked on hair dye that had splashed on my BRAND NEW WHITE bathroom carpets. Amazing!!” – Susan G.
Mystery Stains (You’re Not Even Sure What It Is)
“My daughter’s favorite sweatshirt had mystery stains. I tried all my regular stain removers. Took it to the dry cleaners. No luck. I even tried (supposedly) 100% lemon essential oil from a local store. No luck. Since there was free shipping, I decided to try this directly from Jillee. A couple of drops, washed in cold water, and they were gone! Amazing!” – Cassandra K.
Old, Set-In, and ‘Nothing Else Worked’ Stains
“Had a few clothing items I despaired were irretrievably stained. When I read that this lemon oil would remove even OLD stains, I thought it wouldn’t hurt to try. Well, this stuff does work, as stated, to remove OLD stains. Now, I will not use anything else!!!” – Cheryl K.
Try It For Yourself
If you’ve got a few stubborn stains you’re not ready to give up on, this is one of those simple things that’s worth having on hand.
You can pick up a bottle of 100% pure lemon essential oil from my shop, and TODAY ONLY, I’m offering free U.S. shipping!
Because you only need a few drops at a time, one bottle goes a long way — and it’s something you’ll reach for again and again. It also makes a thoughtful, inexpensive Christmas gift for anyone who does laundry (which is pretty much everyone).
If you’ve got a pile of “maybe someday” items waiting for a second chance, this might be exactly what they need.
SHOP LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL NOW ➤
I wonder if there’s any chemical difference between lemon essential oil and orange essential oil. We have lots of the latter
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi. Just bought the bottle of lemon oil. I have a new knit shirt that I splattered toothpaste on. I rubbed a few drops into the stain, and it is in the washer as I write this. Hopefully it will come out. I spend waaayy too much money at the cleaners — for stains similar to this (usually food, grease). If this works, it will save me a whole lot!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.So bummed! I had faint red wine stains on a cotton blanket, green tea stains on a robe, a mystery stain on a shirt, and a dot of oil paint (like you’d use on kitchen cabinets) on a shirt. Liberally applied lemon essential oil to these items (they were all dry) and washed right away. Couldn’t tell any difference
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Alethea, I’m sorry the lemon essential oil didn’t work for you. You may want to try my 2-Ingredient spot remover. Sometimes you have to apply it and wash the items a couple times. I hope this helps.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This 2-Ingredient Stain Remover Is The Only One You’ll Ever Need
The lemon oil left a yellow stain on my white blouse
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I actually tried the lemon oil awhile ago on a mystery spot. It left a small discoloration where l used the oil. Maybe l was supposed to mix it with something first.l don’t have the Castile soap because it’s expensive. Maybe I’d use the soap if it were cheaper.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Are the ingredients listed in your recipe then mixed with water, or is it just the hydrogen peroxide, castile soap & lemon EO? If it is added to water, how much? Thanks so much!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Do not add water, Becky. Just the 3 ingredients. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My son is a mechanic in the military and doesn’t come home often but when he does he always has a couple of uniforms pants that are stained up pretty good with grease and oil. Many have been washed and air dried with stains so he has them to use but stains are still there. I showed him how to treat them with Dawn before he washes them (even the cheap Dawn still works) and to also add a couple scoops of baking soda, and a scoop of vinegar to cut the soap to the machine. He was amazed how much better they looked and smelled with them being cleaned properly.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is great information, Mary. Thanks for sharing this! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Does this work on stains that have already been washed and dried a few times?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes it does. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.So many good tips, thank you!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We don’t have Castile Soap in Spain. What can I use as a substitute?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi, is your Castile Soap Dr Bronner’s? I looked up where to get Castile soap and I saw a comment saying that Dr Bronner’s Castile Soap is the common one.
I also noticed it was dark.
Will that have a bad effect on the stain if it’s something white?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes, it is Dr. Bronner’s, however there are other brands available. The color will have no effects on the stain. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you!
I will give it a try!
I recently discovered Dawn Ultra Platinum 5X More Foam Soap. It removes old washed and dried oil stains like magic. Just spray it on the stain and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Wash and dry as usual. Like magic the stain is gone. The best oil stain remover
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wow! That’s great to know. Thanks for sharing Carrie. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Jillee,
I’ve tried everything… Do you have a secret remover to remove ink from tee shirts? I wear a lanyard at work, and sometimes, I might forget click my pens. So by the end of the day it looks like a 2 yr old wrote on my shirt…
Please HELP!
Thanks
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Fran, have you tried hairspray? It always works for me!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Try rubbing alcohol on ball point pen ink.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hand sanitizer works too. Just put an old towel or wash cloth underneath to keep the stain from bleeding through to the other side.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Another thing that works is a good soak in Oxiclean. My MIL gets ink in her clothes all the time & I just soak it out.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.June 22, 2020 – I have a huge question? Saturday I was cleaning getting ready for family to come for Sunday, I look down in front of our pantry that has carpet running in front of it and inside of it and I see a big dark spot that shouldn’t be there. Further investigation I find out a gallon of canola oil had sprung a leak and well, you guessed it a huge greasy mess (great sadness) I got an idea and put cornstarch on it to help soak up some of the mess and scrap it up. I guess the question is, is there anything else I can do?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jennifer Stenquist
Baking soda, cornstarch, baby powder, or any oil absorbent powders will work, but with a spill you may have to do it several times to get it all. After blotting up as much of the spill as you can and sprinkling it with the powder, work it in with a soft brush to get it into the fibers then let it sit for a while. If it’s dry enough to vacuum you can vacuum it out. I’d use a shop vac if you have one though since they’re made for heavy dirty jobs. If doing that several times doesn’t completely remove the stain you may need to move on to a carpet cleaning solution that’s strong enough to tackle a job that big. I know first hand that a product sold by Bed Bath & Beyond called Folex Professional Carpet Spot Remover Spray gets just about anything out of any carpet or upholstery that I’ve used it on. It’s $9.99 in the store, but I’ve always got a coupon from them that I use on it. Good luck! I know it’s got to be frustrating trying to get something like that cleaned up.
https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/folex-carpet-spot-remover/212557?keyword=carpet-cleaner
Please log in or create a free account to comment.@Landon YES! Folex works really well! And I second everything else you said, too! Great advice!
Another thing I just thought of for cleaning up the spill is kitty litter. I just remembered that my Dad has always kept it on hand, even though they don’t have cats, to soak up oil leaks from the garage floor when they have car problems. Of course, if you actually have a kitty in the house they may add to the mess.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia will remove many set in stains. My granddaughter got chocolate icecream on a light pink dress. It went thru the dryer unnoticed and I tried many commercial products to no avail. The peroxide ammonia mix completely removed it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That’s a great tip, Lisa! Thanks! I’ve never heard that one. My elderly MIL has dementia and is living with us, so I’m getting all kinds of stains that I haven’t gotten since our grown children were small. I’ve got a 5 gallon bucket sitting by the washer that her clothes go in after stains are treated, but I’ve got one pair of light colored pants sitting on top of the washing machine because there is a stain that won’t come out even after I’ve soaked them in Oxiclean. I wanted to keep them separate so I don’t forget & put them in the dryer before I get the stain out. I’ll be trying your idea today!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Please let us know if it worked?
It did! I did her laundry after dinner and used the peroxide and ammonia and there was no trace left!
Would this work on darker colored clothing? I know that peroxide is ok, but not sure of the ammonia.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jaime, ammonia is not a part of this recipe, and it does work on dark clothes.
I’m really glad to see this post. I occasionally will forget to pretreat a stain . I use a beauty bar like Dove on my cosmetic stains on my collar and other areas. Peroxide is great for blood and other stubborn stains. It’s great on my Satin pillowcase for stray Mascara stains. I just use that and a little Dawn and the stain comes right out.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Before you put clothes in the dryer, it is always a good idea to check for stains again. Once a stain is subjected to heat from the dryer, it becomes even more difficult to remove.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You are so right, but I can never see the stains once the clothing is darkened by the wash water- do you have a trick?
I keep trying to train myself to check everything for stains while I’m checking the pockets before they go in the washer, but ugh!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What I do is let the item air dry to check if the stain is completely gone.
Does this work for all colors?
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