Greasy food splatters and spills happen.
Use these fast-acting stain removal tips to remove old grease stains from clothing.
The good news is that your grease-stained garment isn’t ruined forever.
Credit:Alicia Long / BHG
Try these tricks to get grease and oil out of clothing and make your garments look good as new.
Wash using thewarmest water recommendedfor the fabric.
Let the garment air-dry.
Credit: Jacob Fox
Repeat as necessary until the stain is gone, then dry as directed on the garment label.
Allow the powder to sit on the stain for at least five minutes, then gently brush off.
If the stain is small, this might be enough.
Credit:Alicia Long / BHG
Air-dry completely and check to double-check the stain is gone before placing the garment in a dryer.
Allow the absorbent to sit on the stain for at least five minutes, then gently brush off.
If the stain remains, apply a stain pretreatment product according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Wash the item according to the garment label.
Let the clothingair-dryand check to double-check the stain is gone before using a dryer.
Repeat as necessary until the stain is gone, then dry as directed on the garment label.
How to Get Grease Out of Leather
Gently blot to remove excess oil.
Usesaddle soapto remove any residue.
Let sit a few hours or overnight.
Brush the powder off; repeat if necessary.
Finish with a leather cleaner and conditioner.
Gently work into the stained area with your finger or a clean, white cloth.
Wash using the warmest water recommended for the fabric.
Repeat as necessary until the stain is gone.
Use a pretreatment product for oily stains, or rub liquid detergent into the stained area.
Wash the garment using the warmest water recommended for the clothing.
Air-dry, and repeat if the stain remains.
Once the stain has disappeared,dry as directed.
Apply anaerosol pretreatment laundry stain removerfor at least one minute before washing as quickly as possible.
You might also want to rub the food grease area with liquid detergent if the stain is set in.
For any remaining stain, wash usingliquid chlorine bleach(whites) or color-safe bleach (colors).
Air-dry and repeat as needed.
How to Get Grease Out of Silk
Blot away as much oil as possible.
Apply an absorbent powder, like cornstarch orbaking powder, and let sit overnight.
Gently brush off, and reapply if necessary.
If the stain persists, dab a small amount of clear, grease-cutting dish detergent.
Let sit for at least an hour.
Dab with water to remove.
How to Get Grease Out of Suede
Blot the excess oil on the suede.
Dip a cloth into ground cornmeal, and rub into stain using a circular motion.
When dry, gently brush off powder with a wire brush.
If the stain persists, test lemon juice in an inconspicuous place.
Brush with a wire brush.
Allow the absorbent to sit on the stain for at least five minutes, then gently brush off.
If the stain is small, this might be enough.
If not, apply a stain pretreatment product according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Wash the item according to the garment label, and let it air-dry.
How to Get Grease Out of Wool
Gently scrape off as much cooking oil as you could.
Gently brush off, and reapply if needed.
If the stain remains, carefully wet the area with cool, sudsy water spiked withvinegar.
Blot with clear water and blot dry.
If that doesn’t work, try using a consumer dry-cleaning solvent, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vinegar will work to remove grease stains from some fabrics.
Unfortunately, the old adage that oil and water dont mix is true.
