HOW TO GET GREASE STAINS OUT OF CLOTHES
The faster you treat a grease stain, the easier it is to get out. But don’t worry—there are methods for how to remove old grease stains from clothes, even after they dry. Treating greasy food spills, splatters of cooking grease, ointment smears and even things like bike grease is very similar to treating oil stains and gasoline stains and smells.
Gently blotting with a paper towel, then using a pretreatment solution or dish soap can be a great way to help get grease stains out of clothes. Paper towels can help draw grease out of the fabric while dish soap can help break up stains rather than letting them set in.
Always check your clothing's care tag before treating specialty fabrics like wool and delicates, which may require dry cleaning.
IS IT HARD TO REMOVE GREASE FROM CLOTHES?
Grease can be hard to wash off because it is a lipid and is insoluble in water. This makes the grease cling to the fibers of the fabric, making it difficult to remove in an average laundry cycle.
ARE GREASE STAINS PERMANENT?
Grease stains can be permanent, but acting quickly can help improve your chances of removing them. Blot excess grease and treat the stain as soon as possible. Fabric type and the source of the grease can also affect how well the stain can be cleaned.
Avoid rubbing the stain, which can push the grease deeper into the fibers. Use a suitable stain remover or mild detergent, and follow the fabric care label. Delicate fabrics or set-in stains may need professional treatment.
WHAT GETS GREASE OUT OF CLOTHES?
To get grease out of clothes, you can try to spot treat it with detergent, dish soap, baking soda, salt, vinegar or a specialized stain remover. Act quickly, follow fabric care instructions for best results, and always try stain treatments on a small, hidden area of the garment first, to be sure your fabric can handle it. Also, be sure to rinse any vinegar out of a garment before putting it into your washer or dryer.
DETERGENT
Detergent can be a great resource for getting stains out of clothes. Use the detergent the same way you would use a typical stain remover. Apply a small amount directly to the stain, gently work it into the fabric and let it sit for about 10 minutes before washing. Then, wash the item in the warmest water possible, per the care tag. However, detergent can sometimes also be the culprit for staining clothes. Learn how to prevent and remove detergent stains.
LIQUID DISHWASHING SOAP
If handwashing an item first, you can use dish soap to help break up the grease stain. Make sure to rinse thoroughly before adding your garment to the washing machine.
BAKING SODA
Baking soda can sometimes help draw grease out of fabric and can be a useful option for treating tough stains. Start by blotting excess grease with a paper towel, then sprinkle baking soda over the stain and let it sit for 24 hours. Afterward, gently brush off the baking soda, lightly spray the area with water and scrub with dishwashing liquid. Rinse well, wash according to the care tag and line dry.
SALT
Salt can sometimes help absorb fresh grease from some fabrics before deeper treatment. Start by blotting excess grease with a clean rag or paper towel, then place foil or parchment paper under the stain to protect other parts of the garment. Sprinkle salt generously over the affected area and let it sit for at least 30 minutes—or overnight for heavier stains. Once the salt has had time to absorb the oil, gently brush it off with a toothbrush. Apply a small amount of dish soap to the remaining stain, rinse thoroughly with cool water and wash as usual. Repeat as needed for set-in stains. Remember to check care tags and try these methods on a small, inconspicuous area of your garment first, to be sure your fabric can handle it.
VINEGAR
Vinegar’s slight acidity can help break down grease stains, occasionally making it a useful option for stain treatment on some fabrics. To use, dab a small amount of white vinegar onto the stain before treating with dish soap and rinsing. However, vinegar is not recommended for regular use on clothing and should be avoided on delicate fabrics or items with elastic—like fitted sheets—as it may damage fibers over time. If you choose to use vinegar, be sure to rinse it thoroughly from the fabric before placing the item in the washing machine, as residual vinegar can cause damage to internal washer components over time.
SPECIALIZED STAIN TREATMENT
Specialized grease stain removers are typically designed to target and help break down oil-based stains. Apply the product to the stain according to the instructions on the label, let it sit for the recommended amount of time, then wash the garment as directed on the care tag.
HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF A FRESH GREASE STAIN
Place a piece of cardboard or an old towel in between the stain and the other side of the clothing, to help prevent grease from transferring or spreading to a clean section of fabric while you treat it.
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HOW TO GET GREASE STAINS OUT OF COTTON AND POLYESTER
As for all grease stains, the sooner you can remove the stain, the easier it may be. Use a pretreatment on the stain and wash the clothing item in the warmest water recommended for the clothing.
Tools
- Butter knife
Supplies
Paper towels
Liquid dishwashing soap, mild laundry detergent or stain pretreatment
1: REMOVE EXCESS GREASE
Scrape off excess grease with a butter knife, then blot gently with a clean, white paper towel or cloth to remove as much grease as possible. Using paper towels with printed patterns can cause a transfer of color onto your clothing.
2: RUB IN SOAP OR DETERGENT
Gently rub liquid dish soap (for handwashing), stain pretreatment or liquid enzyme detergent into the stain and let sit for 10 minutes. If using liquid dish soap for handwashing, be sure to fully remove the soap by rinsing thoroughly before placing the item in the washer.
3: RINSE WITH WARM WATER
Rinse or machine wash in the warmest water recommended on the care tag.
4: LINE DRY
Never machine dry anything that has ever had any type of grease on it, as items with grease should not go in your dryer, in case the grease is flammable. Also, heat can set stains that aren’t completely removed. If the stain remains, repeat the steps above if necessary, and always line dry your item.
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HOW TO REMOVE GREASE STAINS FROM WOOL, KNITS & OTHER DELICATES
Wool, knits and other delicates can also often be pretreated using a mild detergent or dish soap before rinsing or machine washing. It can also be helpful to use a knife to scrape off any excess grease. Always check your care tags first. Professional cleaning may be required depending on the fabric.
Tools
- Butter knife
Supplies
Paper towels
Liquid dishwashing detergent, detergent or stain pretreatment
1: REMOVE EXCESS GREASE
Scrape off excess grease with a knife if necessary, then blot gently with a clean, white paper towel or cloth to remove as much as possible.
2: MIX A CLEANING SOLUTION
Mix a mild detergent in the warmest water recommended on the care tag. Be sure to use equal parts detergent and water. You can also use liquid dish soap (for handwashing), stain pretreatment or liquid enzyme detergent.
3: RUB IN THE CLEANING SOLUTION
Gently rub your cleaning solution into the stain and let sit for 10 minutes. If using liquid dish soap for handwashing, be sure to fully remove the soap by rinsing thoroughly before placing the item in the washer.
4: RINSE OR MACHINE WASH
Rinse or machine wash with the warmest water recommended or dry clean, depending on the care tag instructions.
5: LINE DRY
Never machine dry anything that has ever had any type of grease on it, as items containing grease may be flammable. In addition, heat can set stains that aren't completely removed.
DON’T WAIT UNTIL STAINS HAPPEN
Arm yourself with methods to fight tough stains. From grass stains to grease and sweat, learn more stain removal tips so you can act fast when they arise.
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HOW TO REMOVE OLD GREASE STAINS FROM CLOTHING
To remove old grease stains, pretreat with dish soap or stain remover, soak in warm water, wash in the warmest water safe for the fabric, and always line dry. Avoid machine drying, as leftover grease may be flammable and heat can set the stain.
1. Scrape and blot liquid dish soap (for handwashing), stain pretreatment or liquid enzyme detergent into the stain and let sit for 10 minutes. If using liquid dish soap for handwashing, be sure to fully remove the soap by rinsing thoroughly before placing the item in the washer.
2. Soak in warm or hot water for at least 30 minutes. Dissolve some store-bought stain fighter or detergent in the water if desired.
3. Wash in the warmest water recommended on the care tag.
4. Line dry. Never machine dry anything that has ever had any type of grease on it, as grease is often flammable. In addition, heat can set stains that aren’t completely removed.
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