How to Get Oil Stains Out of Chef Clothes: A Complete Guide to Keeping White Uniforms Spotless

Accidents can happen in the kitchen at any time, whether you’re working in a five-star hotel, a bustling restaurant, or simply cooking at home. With multiple ingredients in play and constant movement, avoiding stains is nearly impossible. In fast-paced commercial kitchens where the pressure is high and the pace is relentless, oil splashes and spills are just part of the job. Keeping your white chef uniform clean in such environments can be a real challenge, but with the right techniques, it’s possible. Whether it’s from deep frying, sautéing, or prepping greasy ingredients, cooking oil and grease stains can ruin the clean, professional look of your white chef jackets. We’ve got you covered with proven techniques and tips to keep your chef uniforms spotless and learn more about how to get oil stains out of chef clothes.

What Causes Oil Stains on Chef Clothes?

Chef uniforms can easily get oil stains while working in a busy professional kitchen. They don’t just happen while cooking, but they can occur during any phase of food preparation, service, or even cleaning. Here are the main causes:

1. Meal Prep Time

When you’re busy preparing food, your chef uniform is more likely to get oil stains. There’s always a chance of accidental splashes or drips. Even quick tasks like greasing a baking tray can leave unexpected oil marks. Whether you’re:

• Mixing salad dressings
• Preparing vegetables and meat before roasting 
• Oiling pans before heating

2. Cooking and Frying on High Heat

Hot oil can splash unexpectedly, especially when ingredients are added too quickly or with excess moisture. Oil splatters and drips are nearly unavoidable when:

• Pan-frying, deep frying, or sautéing on high heat
• Stirring hot dishes with oil-based sauces
• Using open skillets or shallow pans

3. Food Service & Plating

Fast-paced service environments increase the likelihood of minor spills and slips. Even outside of cooking, chefs’ clothes can get stained during service. This can happen when:

• Plating greasy foods like curries, stews, or grilled meats
• Serving dishes with oil-based sauces
• Clearing or stacking plates with leftover food residue.

4. Cleaning & Kitchen Maintenance

Oil stains can also occur during post-service cleaning. Common sources include:

• Greasy surfaces on cooktops, rangehoods, or oven doors. Oil dripping from poorly cleaned oven trays or extractor fans
• Handling dirty pans and trays that still carry oil or grease residue
• Kitchen hands deal with dishwashing duties and greasy plates or utensils.
  

5. Poor Equipment Handling or Storage

One of the most frequent sources of oil stains in a kitchen is when an oil dispenser slips or drops causing sudden splashes on chef uniforms, floors, and benchtops. Additional causes that are often overlooked:

• Slippery or leaky oil dispensers
• Unsecured oil bottles are stored near prep areas
• Overfilled squeeze bottles or jars that leak when opened.

Materials You’ll Need to Remove Oil Stains

Unlike water-based stains, oil seeps into fabric quickly and clings to the fibres, making it harder to remove with regular washing. Before jumping into the cleaning process, gather these basic cleaning essentials:

• Dishwashing liquid
• Baking soda or corn starch
• White vinegar
• An old toothbrush or a soft-bristled brush
• Paper towels or a clean cloth
• Warm water

General Tips to Avoid Accidents and Oil Stains in the Kitchen

While stains are sometimes unavoidable, you can minimise the risk with a few smart steps:

• Wear Aprons: A quality apron can act as a barrier between oil splashes and your uniform. Aprons are made to be used as a protective barrier against heat, oil splashes and uniforms..
• Use Splatter Guards: Especially helpful when frying.
• Keep a Clean Work Zone: Regularly wipe surfaces and avoid leaning into oily counters.
• Pre-treat Regularly: Keep a stain remover or dish soap nearby for quick spot treatments mid-shift.

• Use non-slip oil dispensers with rubber grips or silicone sleeves
• Refill oil bottles over a tray or sink to catch accidental drips
• Keep your hands dry when handling oils
• Always try to treat oil stains as soon as possible. Once they start drying up or staying on the cloth for a longer time, it will be harder for you to remove oil stains from your favourite chef uniforms.                

Step-by-Step Methods to Remove Cooking Oil & Get Oil Stains Out of Chef Clothes

Getting an oil stain can ruin your chef uniform and make it look dirty in front of customers. Keeping your uniform clean and well-maintained is a top priority for all chefs. Here are some basic methods to remove cooking oil and greasy oil stains from your chef uniforms, especially white ones.

Step 1: Blotting the stain immediately

Whether you get stains from clear oil or coloured oil due to turmeric and other spices, the blotting method can reduce your stress by 50%. It works like magic in a tricky situation. As soon as you notice the oil stain on your chef clothes, simply grab a paper towel and place it on both sides of the fabric. Gently, press the paper towel to absorb the excess oil and moisture from the stain. The paper towel will soak up the oil and minimise the risk of the stain setting deeper into the fabric.

Step 2: Sprinkle some Corn flour or baking soda on Oily stain

If you’re working in the kitchen and need to treat your oil stain quickly, this method works well. After blotting with a paper towel, sprinkle some corn starch, baking soda, or talcum powder on the oil stain. These powders can absorb oil at a deeper level without much effort. Leave it for 2–5 minutes, then carefully scrub the area with a soft toothbrush. You can also use a vacuum to suck up the powder quickly. By using corn starch or baking soda, the stain on a white uniform becomes less noticeable as the powder creates a covering layer. You can even leave the area covered until you have time to treat it properly with other cleaning solutions.

Step 3: Treat with dishwashing liquid or hand wash

Dishwashing liquid or hand wash is usually easy to find on the kitchen counter. Grab the stained section of your chef uniform and apply 2–3 drops of dishwashing liquid or hand wash directly onto the stain. Wait for 5–10 minutes, then rinse the section under warm running water. Don’t rub the area to avoid spreading the stain. You can also use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub the spot. After rinsing well, try to dry your uniform in the sun to help prevent permanent staining.

Step 4: Baking soda & vinegar solution

After trying dishwashing liquid, use a baking soda and white vinegar paste on the oil stains of your white uniforms. Leave this paste for 10–15 minutes to allow it to work. Rub the area with your hands or scrub with a soft cleaning brush to lift the stain from deeper layers of the fabric. This method is especially useful if the oil stain has started to dry and needs a deeper clean. Rinse the garment under warm running water or wash with other clothes on a normal cold–warm cycle for a complete clean. Repeat the process if needed before drying the uniform in a dryer.