Grease stains on your clothes can be annoying and difficult to remove. However, there is a simple trick using just a few household ingredients that can help banish grease spots for good.
Why Grease Stains Are So Stubborn
Grease and oil create problems because they contain non-polar molecules that repel water. This makes them hard to dissolve and wash away with regular laundry detergent alone. When grease soaks into fabric, it leaves behind a stubborn stain.
Grease stains often require more effort to tackle than other types of stains. But don’t worry – with the right technique, you can get rid of grease spots for good.
How to Remove Grease Stains in 3 Easy Steps
Removing grease stains is straightforward when you follow these three simple steps:
Step 1: Blot Excess Grease
- As soon as you notice a fresh grease stain, act quickly.
- Blot the stain with an absorbent cloth or paper towel to soak up any excess grease on the surface of the fabric.
- Don’t rub or scrub the stain, which can push the grease further into the fibers.
Step 2: Apply an Oil-Cutting Agent
- Next, you’ll need to break down the grease with a degreasing agent. Dish soap or laundry detergent can work.
- For tough stains, use a degreaser like Goo Gone or a paste of baking soda and water.
- Apply the degreaser directly to the stain and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
Step 3: Wash as Normal
- Once the degreaser has had time to work, launder the garment as usual with regular detergent.
- Use the warmest water safe for the fabric. Hot water helps dissolve grease.
- Avoid drying the garment until the stain has fully lifted, as heat can set in grease stains.
- Repeat steps 2-3 as needed for stubborn grease spots.
Why This Method Works
This 3-step stain removal process is effective because it breaks down grease in two key ways:
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Blotting lifts excess grease off the surface before it saturates the fabric.
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Degreasers dissolve and cut through the oily residue that soaks in. Detergent alone often won’t cut it.
Together, these steps lift both the grease you can see on the surface as well as the residue soaked into the fibers for complete stain removal.
Tips for Avoiding Grease Stains
While this method can rescue clothes after a grease stain, it’s also helpful to know how to avoid those pesky spots in the first place. Here are some useful tips:
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Wear an apron or older clothes when cooking or grilling with greasy foods.
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Immediately rinse any clothes that get cooking oils or greases on them.
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Pre-treat any iffy spots with a stain remover before washing.
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Check the lint filter and empty it before drying clothes, since grease residues can transfer.
Grease Stain Removal the Easy Way
Removing grease stains doesn’t have to be a chore with this simple pre-treat, wash, and repeat method. With the right oil-cutting agents and techniques, you can keep your clothes looking fresh and grease-free.
What other DIY stain removal tricks have worked for you? Let me know in the comments!
