Literature covering the problems of oily soil aging on textile materials is reviewed. Difficulty of soil removal and discoloration of oily soiled fabrics were the main problems of aged oily soil reported by researchers. Yellowing of fabrics is attributed mainly to residual oily soils although there are other causes. Oxidation of unsaturated oils was suggested as the cause of problems related to aging of oily soils; thus, the autoxidation mechanisms of unsaturated lipids are an important part of this review. The effects of aging on oily soil removal are attributed to this oxidation of unsaturated oils, wicking of oils into small capillaries within the yarn structure, and possible chemical linkages of aged oils with fibers. Thus, included in this review are studies on the interactions between lipid oxidation products and proteins that suggest interaction between aged oily soils and fiber substrates. JSD 1, 407-418 (1998).