Is it possible to get grease stains out

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Grease/oil stains are my greatest laundry nemesis. They’re so sneaky! Other stains I usually catch before they go in the wash and can pre-treat as necessary. Not so with grease — they’re the ninjas of pesky stains.

Related Post: How to Easily Remove Sticker Residue From Clothes {in 30 Seconds Or Less!}

They don’t announce their presence like most other stains. They’re not brightly colored like a spaghetti stain or obvious like a dirt stain.

Oh no, they ever-so-slightly darken a fabric so that you don’t even notice until it’s been washed and dried. Even then sometimes you don’t notice until you put it on.

Those crafty little grease stains. So frustrating.

But good news — they can be fixed! (Most of the time.)

And here’s how:

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Dish detergent (must be petroleum-based like Dawn, not all-natural or plant-based)
• Scrub brush or old toothbrush

HOW TO GET GREASE STAINS OUT OF CLOTHES THAT HAVE BEEN DRIED

1. Dampen the area with water.
2. Cover the grease stain with liquid dish detergent. (I’ve also heard shampoo, bar soap, or Fels Naptha work.)
   
3. Use a scrub brush or old toothbrush to work the detergent into the stain.
4. Rinse the detergent with water.
5. Wash with laundry detergent in hottest water possible according to your clothing’s label.
6. Allow to air-dry. You want to make sure the stain is removed before putting it in the dryer.
7. Repeat the process as necessary until the stain is gone. OR proceed to the next method

FOR THE SUPER SET-IN GREASE STAINS

The method above will do the trick against most normal everyday grease stains. But if you’re facing a stubborn stain that remained untouched and unaffected by the above method, then it’s time to bring out the big guns.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• WD-40
• Baking soda
• Piece of cardboard
• Dawn dish detergent
• Scrub brush or old toothbrush

How to Remove Stubborn Grease Stains

1. Place your piece of cardboard underneath the stain area between the front and back of the shirt (pants, dress, etc.) This will prevent the WD-40 from bleeding to the other side, causing a whole new stain.
2. Carefully spray a little WD-40 onto the center of the stain. (It will spread.)
3. Sprinkle generously with baking soda.
4. Rub the baking soda well into the stain with your brush.
5. Brush off the lumps and repeat until all you have is a fine, dry dusting. (The lumps are caused by the baking soda absorbing the grease. No more lumps = no more grease)
6. Pour dish detergent onto the stain area and rub in with the brush.
7. Allow the detergent to sit for 30 minutes.
8. Wash as usual.
9. Air dry, again to make sure the oil stain is actually gone. They are next to impossible to spot when the clothing is wet.

   You’re enjoying your meal when...bam! There goes that new tee or blouse, covered in greasy butter or gravy drips. Ugh!

   "Grease is one of the worst substances to get out," says Michael Silva-Nash, executive vice president of Molly Maid of Greater Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas. "But it is possible if you act fast and follow several steps to help pull the grease away from the fabric surface."

   Here’s exactly how to get grease stains out of clothes:

   Act fast.

   The longer it sits there, the tougher a grease stain will be to remove. If it just happened, remove as much as possible with a plain white paper towel. (You don’t want dyes from paper towels with designs to transfer to the material, making the situation worse.)

   "Blot, don’t rub at the stain—because rubbing will push the substance into the fibers," says Silva-Nash. This technique also works on other items, such as tablecloths or cloth napkins.

   If you're out and about, sprinkling a small amount of salt or artificial sweetener on the stain can help keep it from setting.

   Check the wash label.

   Cotton can withstand hot water and repeated washings. Synthetic fabrics can be tricky because you may not know if it's blended with other materials, but many will tolerate warm water. If you’re not sure what kind of fabric you have and are worried about the garment shrinking, cold water is the safest bet, though it may not be as effective for flushing out stains. If it’s a silk or wool garment, you’re better off taking to a professional dry cleaner.

   Dab dish soap directly on the stain.

   Apply a single drop or two of a traditional dish soap, such as Dawn, directly on top of the stain; avoid plant-based types which often don't have the same grease-fighting power. Gently smear it across the stain with your finger. Rub it in the direction of the fibers (sort of like the "grain"). The goal is to get the grease to interact with the soap, which attaches itself to the oil and pulls it away from the fabric when water is added. You also can try this step with your favorite laundry detergent.

   Rinse from the opposite side of the fabric.

   Now flush water (as hot as is recommended for the fabric) from the back side—not the stained side—of the garment. Flush for several minutes. Toss it in your washing machine and launder immediately on the hottest setting the garment can tolerate using your regular laundry detergent. You can also try adding an extra stain remover or pre-treater, but be sure to read the instructions.

   Air dry and check for stains.

   Heat from your dryer will set stains, so let the garment air dry. Then, inspect for any remaining residue. If there’s still a shadow of a stain, repeat the process, says Silva-Nash. You can make multiple attempts and may have success if you’re patient! Although the technique isn’t always foolproof, it’s certainly worth a try to save your favorite garments from those ugly grease and oil stains.

   Shop Stain-Fighting Products

   

   Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Dish Soap

   

   SHOUT Foaming Grease and Oil Stain Remover

   

   OxiClean Max Force Stain Remover Spray

   

   Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent

   

   Arricca SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.

   This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

   Are grease stains permanent?

   Are oil stains permanent? They can be. The trick is to blot them quickly and treat them quickly. The longer you wait, the more likely they are to be permanent.

   Can you remove a grease stain after drying?

   "Don't worry–there are methods to remove old grease stains from clothes, even after they dry," Buurstra says. Here's what she suggests: Scrape and blot liquid dish soap into the stain and let sit for 10 minutes. Soak in warm or hot water for at least 30 minutes.

   Do grease stains eventually come out?

   Just squirt a bit of dish soap right onto the stain and let it sit for a little while before washing. Once the wash cycle is done, check for the stain. If you don't see it (you likely won't!), you're clear to send the item through the dryer. Bonus: This trick even works for old stains.

   Can you remove grease stains after washing?

   Can you remove oil stains from clothes after they have been laundered? Yes, you should be able to. Soak the item of clothing in warm water, then apply a few drops of dish soap on the stain. Hold the material around the stain and start rubbing the sides against each other to work up a lather.