If you accidentally spill fatty food on your clothes, don't worry! There are various ways that can be followed to remove grease stains from clothes, both thick and easily damaged. Dab a paper towel on the stained area to absorb any excess oil. After that, clean the stain as soon as possible with dish soap, cornstarch, or alcohol, depending on the type of fabric and the size of the stain. Once the stain is removed, put the clothes in the washing machine and clean as usual.
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Method 1 of 3: Treat Grease Stains with Dishwashing Soap
Step 1. Check the care label for details on the fabric type
You can use dish soap on a variety of fabrics, such as cotton, polyester, linen, jersey, and canvas. The type of fabric will be indicated on the clothing care label, including specific cleaning instructions. If the message “cold water only” or “dry clean only” appears on the label, do not follow this technique.
- If you've previously washed dirty clothes with other items, there's a good chance that you can safely wash them using dish soap and hot water.
- Do not use dish soap on perishable or special fabrics such as silk, velvet, leather, or suede.
Step 2. Blot a dry paper towel on the stain to absorb any excess oil
Carefully dab a paper towel or tissue over the stained area to absorb as much of the oil residue as possible. Be careful when staining and don't rub the stain as the grease can go deeper into the fibers of the fabric.
Treat the stain as soon as possible. The longer the stain stays, the harder it will be to remove
Step 3. Coat the grease stain with dish soap
It's a good idea to use a colorless soap, but you can also use any available dish soap. Rub the dirty area with dish soap until the entire stain is covered.
If you have a commercial stain removal product, apply it to the stain. Liquid laundry detergent can also be used to remove most stains
Step 4. Carefully apply dishwashing soap to the stain using a soft-bristled toothbrush
You can also use your fingers or an unused toothbrush. Gently rub the stain in a circular motion and with light pressure. This process helps push the soap deeper into the fibers of the clothes.
You only need to scrub the stain for a few seconds. When dealing with grease stains, timing is of the utmost importance
Step 5. Let the soap sit on the stain for 30 minutes
Place your clothes in a safe place and allow soap, stain remover products, or laundry detergent to penetrate the fabric fibers. You can let it sit for about 30 minutes.
You probably won't notice a significant difference when you let the soap sit for a longer time. In addition, it is important that you move on to the next step immediately to get the best results
Step 6. Rinse the area affected by the grease stain with hot water
Hold the garment under running hot water and rinse the stain thoroughly to remove the soap. Gently rub the stain with your finger to remove the surface of the grease.
Wear thick rubber gloves if the water temperature is too hot
Step 7. Wash clothes as usual
Check the care label and follow the instructions regarding the temperature of the water that needs to be used. If the garment does not have a care label, use a wash cycle in hot water. Put the clothes in the washing machine and run the wash cycle as usual.
- Do not put the clothes in the dryer if the stain remains on the clothes. The heat from the machine makes the stain stick permanently.
- If the stain has not been removed after the first wash cycle, repeat the whole process again and start by applying dish soap to the stain.
Method 2 of 3: Dealing with Greasy Stains on Damaged Fabrics
Step 1. Dab a paper towel or dry tissue on the grease stain
Carefully absorb as much of the oil as possible on the stain. Do not scrub the soiled area as the stain can worsen or stick to the fabric permanently. Blot the absorbent medium slowly and carefully.
Try to treat the stain as soon as possible for the best results
Step 2. Sprinkle baby powder or cornstarch on the grease stain
Cover the stain thoroughly with baby powder, cornstarch, or baking soda. All three materials are good absorbents. Leave the material on the clothes for a few hours or overnight in a warm, safe place.
This technique can be followed for clothes made of suede, silk, and other clothes that can only be washed using the dry cleaning method
Step 3. Brush off any remaining powder or starch using a soft-bristled toothbrush
Use short, quick brushing motions to remove any remaining powder or starch from the stain. You can also take your clothes outside and shake them around to remove any remaining powder. Once the powder or starch has been removed, carefully observe the condition of the stain.
Step 4. Wash the clothes as usual or repeat the cleaning process
If the stain is successful, wash the clothes according to the directions on the care label. If the stain is still visible, repeat the cleaning process or use dish soap.
If clothes can only be washed using the dry cleaning method, take them to a professional laundry service after you've treated the stain with baby powder or cornstarch
Step 5. Use cornstarch and vinegar to clean suede clothes
Sprinkle the starch on the grease stain and let the starch absorb the fat for half an hour. Use a special brush to remove any remaining starch. After that, dampen a microfiber cloth or other lint-free cloth with vinegar. Wipe the rag or cloth that has been soaked in vinegar on the fatty area until the stain is lifted.
Allow the stained area to dry, then use a lint brush to buff the suede fabric
Step 6. Take satin and leather garments to a professional dry cleaning service provider
Both of these materials absorb grease easily and are more susceptible to damage from household cleaning products than other types of fabrics. It's a good idea to immediately bring the clothes with the cloth to a dry cleaning service provider.
Method 3 of 3: Removing Stubborn Stains
Step 1. Check the care label for fabric information
You can use tougher stain removal techniques on fabrics like cotton, polyester, linen, jersey, and canvas. The clothing care label will indicate the type of clothing material and, if available, specific cleaning instructions. If the label says “cold water only” or “dry clean only”, the fabric is too thin for the following techniques.
If you've washed these clothes before and don't need special care, you can safely try these techniques
Step 2. Treat small stains with rubbing alcohol
Wet a cotton swab with alcohol, then dab it on the stain carefully. Make sure the stain is thoroughly moistened and let the alcohol sit for a few minutes. Rinse the stained area with hot water and air dry the clothes.
- If the stain has not been removed at this stage, repeat the cleaning process.
- After the clothes are dry and the stain is confirmed, wash the clothes as usual.
- For very stubborn stains, use acetone instead of regular alcohol.
Step 3. Use WD-40 or a hairspray to remove stubborn stains
Spray WD-40 or a hairspray on the stained area. Leave it for about 20 minutes. After that, rinse the stain with hot water and wash the clothes as usual.
Check clothes before you put them in the dryer. If the stain persists, repeat the cleaning process or try another technique
Step 4. Take the clothes to the laundrette if all techniques fail to remove the stain
For very stubborn stains, it's a good idea to take your clothes to a professional laundromat. The fabric will actually be damaged if you rub it or try to remove the stain yourself. Instead of using stronger chemicals that can damage the fabric, let someone who is trained to remove stains from your clothes use the right tools or equipment.
