Lestoil Laundry Additive — Heavy-Duty Stain Removal
We formulated Lestoil as a concentrated phosphate-free cleaner that removes oil, grease, tar, and adhesive stains from fabric. Originally developed for industrial cleaning, our formula works alongside your regular detergent to break down petroleum-based stains and heavy soils that standard laundry products can’t touch.
Add two tablespoons of Lestoil directly to your washing machine drum along with your regular detergent for general stain-fighting power. For set-in grease or oil stains, apply a small amount of undiluted Lestoil directly to the stain, work it gently into the fabric with your fingers or a soft brush, then let it sit for 5-10 minutes before washing.
What stains Lestoil tackles best
Lestoil excels at petroleum-based stains — motor oil, transmission fluid, hydraulic oil, cooking grease, butter, margarine, and salad dressing. Painters rely on it for latex and oil-based paint drips, while landscapers use it on grass stains, tree sap, and pine tar.
Beyond grease and oil
Our formula also removes lipstick, crayon, adhesive residue from tape and stickers, tar, asphalt, and ink from ballpoint pens. If a stain has an oily or waxy component, Lestoil’s solvent base will break it down where enzyme detergents struggle. We’ve heard from customers who rescued vintage linens stained by decades-old machine oil and work shirts that other products had given up on.
Safety and fabric compatibility
Lestoil is safe for all washable fabrics — cotton, polyester, cotton-poly blends, denim, canvas, and synthetic athletic wear. We do not recommend using it on silk, wool, leather, suede, or dry-clean-only garments, since the pine oil solvent can affect delicate natural fibers.
Always test on an inconspicuous area first if you’re unsure about colorfastness. The formula contains no chlorine bleach, so it won’t weaken fabric fibers or cause yellowing over time. Keep the bottle tightly closed and store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid contact with eyes and skin; rinse thoroughly if contact occurs.
What makes Lestoil effective
Complete Lestoil laundry care essentials
Customer reviews
Common questions about Lestoil laundry additive
Yes, Lestoil works safely in HE washers. Use the same two-tablespoon dose per load that you would in a standard machine. The formula is low-sudsing and rinses clean without leaving residue on HE drum components or door seals.
For pre-treating stains before an HE wash, apply Lestoil directly to the fabric and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then place the item in the drum and start your cycle. The concentrated pine oil formula requires no special adjustments for HE compatibility.
Lestoil is a solvent-based stain remover, not a detergent. Regular detergents use surfactants and enzymes to lift dirt and organic stains like food or sweat. Lestoil uses pine oil to dissolve petroleum-based stains — grease, oil, tar, adhesive — that detergents can’t break down.
You use Lestoil alongside your regular detergent, either as a pre-treatment on tough stains or as a laundry booster added directly to the wash. It’s designed to handle the jobs that standard detergent alone can’t finish.
Lestoil is safe for all washable fabrics when used as directed. It contains no chlorine bleach, so it won’t weaken fibers or cause yellowing. We recommend testing on an inconspicuous area first if you’re concerned about colorfastness on dark or brightly dyed fabrics.
Do not use Lestoil on silk, wool, leather, suede, or dry-clean-only garments. The pine oil solvent can affect delicate natural fibers. For everyday cotton, polyester, denim, and synthetic blends, you can use it confidently without damage.
Lestoil has a noticeable pine scent straight from the bottle, but the smell rinses away during the wash cycle. After drying, most customers report their clothes smell like their regular detergent with no lingering pine odor.
If you’re sensitive to scents, run an extra rinse cycle or add a quarter cup of white vinegar to the rinse to ensure complete removal. The pine oil itself is the active ingredient that removes stains; once it’s done its job, it washes out with the soil.
For heavy or set-in grease stains, apply undiluted Lestoil directly to the stain and gently work it into the fabric with your fingers or a soft brush. Let it sit for 10-30 minutes depending on how stubborn the stain is, then wash as usual.
You can also add two tablespoons to the wash water along with your detergent for an extra boost. If the stain persists after one wash, repeat the pre-treatment and wash again. Some old petroleum stains require two cycles to fully lift.
Lestoil is safe for baby clothes as long as you rinse thoroughly. The pine oil formula contains no harsh bleaches or dyes, but it is a concentrated cleaner. Pre-treat stains, then wash with an extra rinse cycle to ensure all solvent residue is removed.
If your baby has very sensitive skin or known allergies, test on one garment first and monitor for any reaction. Most parents use Lestoil successfully on cloth diapers, onesies, and bibs to remove formula, baby food, and diaper cream stains.
You can order Lestoil directly from our site for home delivery or subscribe for automatic refills. We also ship to all 50 states with standard and expedited options. Many customers keep one bottle in the laundry room and a backup in the garage for automotive or hobby cleaning.
The 28-ounce bottle treats approximately 28 loads when used as a booster, or handles dozens of pre-treatment applications for spot stains. Larger sizes and refill packs are available if you have ongoing heavy-duty cleaning needs.