Do you know how to get grease stains out of clothes? If not, dealing with these pesky stains can be a true headache. Luckily, these tips and tricks will help!
What’s the Best Way to Get Grease Stains Out of Clothes?
Grease stains on clothes can be stubborn, but all hope is not lost! The key is to act quickly to prevent a more pesky stain.
As soon as you notice a grease stain, use one of the methods below to target the stain right away. Don’t wash the garment until doing so.
All you need is a little patience and the right technique. With these, you can easily remove grease stains from your clothes and keep them looking fresh!
Hairspray
Who knew that something sticky like hairspray could potentially remove a pesky grease stain? Surprisingly, this is a very popular method for getting rid of stains.
To use the hairspray stain removal method, just soak the stained portion of your clothing completely in hairspray. The stained cloth should be completely dampened with hairspray.
Next, let the stain sit for at least 30 minutes. The stain should have started to lift in this time. Finally, wash the item and check if the stain has been removed.
Chalk
Do you have any white sidewalk chalk lying around the house gathering dust? If so, you may just have the perfect tool for removing grease stains.
To use chalk for this purpose, just wipe away the excess grease or debris from the clothing. Then, cover the entire spot with a layer of chalk.
Leave the chalk on the fabric for a few minutes to absorb the oil. Then just rub the spot with a little laundry detergent, and wash as usual.
Dish Soap
Dish soap is designed to target stubborn grease on your dishes. So it makes sense that it would work on fabric to remove these spots, too.
As soon as you notice the grease stain, apply a button-sized dollop of dish soap. Gently rub the fabric together to suds up the soap.
After applying this treatment, all you have to do is wash your garment as you normally would. And there you have it! The stain should be resolved.
Shampoo
Just as dish soap is designed to get grease off of dishes, shampoo is formulated to remove oils from hair. And it, too, can also work on fabric!
Start by completely dampening the fabric where the stain is. Then mix a little bit of your shampoo with water, and apply the mixture to the stain.
For this hack, try to choose a shampoo that’s designed for oily hair. Most drugstore shampoos will work. Avoid those with extra oils and moisturizers added.
Salt + Stain Remover
Stain remover alone sometimes isn’t enough to remove stubborn grease stains. But did you know adding a bit of salt to the mix can help?
Start by laying the stained clothing item on a flat surface. Then, just sprinkle a generous amount of regular table salt over the affected area.
Apply a stain remover directly to the salty fabric and gently work it into the fabric using a toothbrush. Let this sit for at least 15 minutes.
Lestoil
Do you have a grease stain on something durable like a work uniform, canvas, or denim? If so, Lestoil is a powerful option for removing that stain.
Lestoil is a degreaser that can effectively remove tough oil and grease stains. It shouldn’t be used on delicate fabrics, though, like silk or wool.
Before using Lestoil to treat a stain, first test it on a small, inconspicuous spot. This will help ensure that it doesn’t damage the fabric.
Saddle Soap
If you have a grease stain on a piece of leather, take a tip from the equestrians of the world. Saddle soap is perfect for this!
To use saddle soap, dampen a soft cloth or sponge and rub it into the soap to create a lather. Gently rub the lather onto the stain.
Allow the saddle soap to dry completely. Then, buff the leather with a clean, dry cloth to remove any remaining residue. The stain should be gone!
Dry Cleaning Solvent
Dry cleaners are experts in the craft. So it makes sense that they would have a secret tool in their toolkit for removing oily stains from clothing.
If you don’t want to take your clothes to the dry cleaners, you can pick up this solvent yourself. Just be careful to follow the manufacturer’s directions.
This solvent is ideal for delicate fabrics and those that are dry-clean-only. Still, it’s always wise to start with a spot test in an inconspicuous area.
Enzyme Cleaner
You can remove oily stains from clothing with the natural power of enzymes! Start by liberally spraying the stain with the enzyme cleaner until it’s fully saturated.
Use a gentle brush to work the enzyme cleaner into the fabric. This helps break up the grease in the clothing fibers and gently lift it out.
Allow the cleaner to soak for at least 15 minutes so the enzymes have time to work. Then, just add the clothes to your regular laundry load.
Aloe Vera Gel
All-natural aloe vera is another way to take advantage of enzymes and their cleaning powers. Aloe contains enzymes that can gently lift stubborn stains from fabric.
Choose a 100% pure and natural aloe vera gel for the best results. Start by wetting the stained area with cold water before applying the gel.
Gently rub the aloe vera gel into the stain, ensuring it’s fully covered. Allow it to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before washing in cold water.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the most popular stain-removal methods. Baking soda is naturally absorbent and can help to lift the grease stain from the fabric.
Sprinkle baking soda onto the stain, and let it sit for a few minutes to absorb the grease. Then, gently rub the baking soda into the stain.
After that, you can either rinse the fabric with cold water or toss it into the washing machine. Baking soda is a safe and inexpensive option.
Steam
Steam can be a highly effective method to remove stubborn grease stains from clothing. The hot steam actually helps to break down and loosen the grease molecules!
To use steam for this purpose, you can hang the clothing item in a steamy bathroom. Or, use a garment steamer to apply steam to the stain.
Gently blot the stain with a clean cloth or sponge while the steam is being applied. Repeat this process until the grease stain is fully lifted.
Stains on Canvas
Many aprons are made out of canvas, and of course, these are particularly affected by greasy stains. So how do you remove that pesky oil?
First, blot as much of the grease as possible using a clean cloth or paper towel. Then, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the stain.
Let this sit for a few hours to absorb the grease. Afterward, use a soft brush or toothbrush to gently scrub the baking soda into the stain.
Stains on Chenille
There’s nothing worse than an unsightly stain on your soft, luxurious chenille fabric. The trick for removing these is to use a highly absorbent powder.
Some options include baking soda, which is a popular stain-removal option. Other options include cornstarch and baby powder, which absorb oil in a similar way.
Apply your chosen remedy directly to the chenille as soon as you notice the stain. Let this sit for about 15 minutes before gently brushing away.
Stains on Corduroy
Frying up a delicious meal while wearing corduroy can quickly go awry. If you’re facing a stubborn stain in your cords, all hope isn’t lost!
Start by using the absorbent powder method described above to absorb any remaining moisture. This step alone might be enough to remove a small spot.
If the stain perseveres, try soaking the stain in Oxy Clean or another powerful stain-remover. Let sit for at least 10 minutes before washing.
Stains on Cotton
Cotton is highly absorbent, which means stains can be particularly stubborn. This is especially true if the garment has been washed and dried after being stained.
But don’t give up just yet! The best method for removing grease from cotton is to start by using baking soda to absorb excess moisture.
Then, soak the stained spot in cool water, and dab it with a dollop of dish soap. Most stain-removal veterans recommend Dawn dish soap for tough stains.
Stains on Jeans
A grease stain on your favorite jeans can bring a tear to anyone’s eye. Luckily, jeans are highly durable, so you can effectively treat the stain.
One effective hack for this pesky problem is to apply baking soda to the stain, as described above. Then, douse the area with a splash of vinegar.
Let this mixture fizz up on the stain, breaking down the oils and lifting them from the fabric. Then, rinse your jeans and repeat if needed.
Stains on Leather
We don’t recommend cooking or enjoying greasy foods while wearing your best leather jacket. But hey, life happens. And sometimes, that means stains happen, too.
Start by applying talcum powder to your leather garment or upholstery. Talcum powder is more absorbent than leather, so it effectively pulls the oil out.
Leave the powder to work overnight, and then brush it away. Follow this up using saddle soap or another leather cleaner to remove any traces.
Stains on Linen
Linen can be expensive, so it’s understandable that a stubborn grease stain would be beyond frustrating. But it’s not impossible to get that stain out!
Start by soaking the stain in a powerful pretreatment like Oxy Clean. You could also create a paste using powdered laundry detergent and water and use this instead.
Leave your pretreatment to sit for at least 15 minutes. Then simply wash your linen according to the tag. Check that the stain is gone before drying!
Stains on Nylon, Polyester, Spandex, or Lycra
The trick to removing grease stains from synthetic fabrics is to catch them quickly. In fact, this is true with any stain, in any fabric.
Dawn dish soap can work wonders for stains on polyester, nylon, spandex, or lycra. Just dab a bit onto the stain, and gently scrub the spot.
Make sure to only use the warmest water recommended by the garment’s care tag. If it says “warm water,” for example, stay away from hot water.
Stains on Silk
Nothing feels better than a luxurious piece of silk against your skin. And nothing feels worse than when you notice a stain and have to change.
Whether it’s a scarf, a blouse, or a pillow cover, it’s essential to act right away. First, blot away any excess oil or food.
Apply talcum powder to the stain, and allow it to sit overnight. Then, gently rub a 1:1 mix of cool water and silk detergent into the stain.
Stains on Suede
Suede is unique, and you can’t treat it like any other leather when you want to remove a stain. So what do you do for a stubborn grease stain on suede?
You can use one of the methods described above, but avoid soaking your suede in water. The best bet is to absorb the oil with baking soda.
If that doesn’t do the trick, try using a small amount of dish soap. Blot the stain, then wipe the soap away. Repeat this step as needed.
Stains on Velvet
Velvet can be good at hiding stains, with its reflective luster and dark shadows. But that doesn’t mean you should leave a grease stain on it.
According to Martha Stewart, vinegar is the key for stains on velvet. To remove this type of stain, mix distilled water and white vinegar in equal parts.
Use a microfiber cloth to apply the cleaning solution to the fabric. Then, blot the stained area gently with the cloth, working from the outside in.
Stains on Wool
Being highly absorbent, wool can suck in grease and make it even more difficult to remove. At the same time, wool is prone to warping and shrinking.
First, blot the stain to remove what you can. Avoid rubbing, as this can spread it further. Next, sprinkle talcum powder or cornstarch on the stain.
Let this sit for a few minutes. Then, gently brush the powder away and apply a mild detergent to the stain. Rinse with cold water.
Removing Stains After Washing and Drying
The easiest way to remove grease stains is to get them right away. But life happens, and sometimes you don’t notice until you’re putting away the laundry.
If this happens, it might take a little extra work. Start by soaking the area in water and covering the stain in liquid dish detergent.
Then, use a scrub brush or toothbrush to work the detergent into the fibers where the stain is. Make sure to treat delicate fabrics with more care.
Does WD-40 Work on Stains?
Surprisingly, this solvent can actually help with removing set-in stains from clothing. Just spray the front and back of the stained fabric with the solvent.
Wait about five minutes for the solvent to do its work. At this point, you can spray the area again if you feel it needs another round.
After this, apply a mild dish detergent to the stain and gently scrub it. Rinse with cool water, and let the fabric dry. No more stubborn stain!
Hot or Cold Water?
Heat can set in stains, but it also works much better to break down grease and grime. So which is better: hot water or cold water?
During the pretreatment stage of removing the stain, you should use cool water. This helps avoid setting in the stain before it’s treated.
After that, wash your garment in the warmest temperature recommended by the label. This helps break down and remove the molecules that make up the stain.
Mistakes to Avoid
The most obvious mistake to avoid is letting the stain set, or washing and drying the garment before treating the stain. However, this isn’t always avoidable.
Another mistake people often make when trying to remove a stain is rubbing. When you notice a grease stain, blot the oil away rather than rubbing.
Finally, avoid soaking the stain in water without applying an absorbent powder or an oil-removing detergent. This can spread the stain and make it larger.
Don’t Let Grease Get You Down
If a grease stain has you down, don’t give up! There are many different methods and helpful hacks for removing these stains from clothing and upholstery.
Whether you’re dealing with cotton, corduroy, or leather, many people have faced this issue before and resolved it. It just takes a little ingenuity and patience!
If one method doesn’t work, try another. Just make sure to always read your garment or furniture’s tag and follow any care instructions that might apply.