Grease stains can be particularly challenging, particularly on synthetic fabrics. Here are a few tricks that might help you get them out:
First, ensure the stain is fresh. Treat it promptly to prevent grease from setting into the fabric and becoming permanent.
Salt and Rubbing Alcohol Solution
Grease stains can easily be removed with salt and rubbing alcohol solution. This mixture works wonders on clothing, carpets, and other fabrics where grease accumulates.
If there’s a tiny stain on the floor, wiping it away with a damp cloth or paper towel is usually sufficient. However, more effort may be required if the paint has seeped more profoundly into the fabric.
For tough-to-remove stains, try sprinkling some baking soda on the affected area. Baking soda is an alkali, meaning it dissolves grease without harming the surface to it’s applied.
Vinegar can also soften grease spills on pots, pans, and other kitchen utensils. Vinegar acts as an abrasive, making scrubbing much more accessible. You may add lemon juice to the vinegar for improved stain removal or rub some dish soap onto stained areas before washing them away.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is an indispensable item in most kitchen pantries and one of the most reliable natural cleaning agents. It works to eliminate unpleasant odors and thick layers of dirt and grime from surfaces.
Grease-cutting properties of this natural cleaner make it ideal for cleaning grease-stained pans and dirty surfaces. Plus, since it’s cheaper and less toxic than degreasers, you don’t have to worry about damaging the surface when removing concrete stains.
To remove oil stains, blot them with a paper towel or cloth to absorb as much oil as possible. Next, sprinkle baking soda over them to absorb any remaining moisture and help lift the stain. Leave this baking soda on for anywhere from 30 minutes up to an hour, depending on how great the color is.
Dish Soap
Dish soap is designed to create a thick, frothy foam that breaks down food and stains on pots and pans. However, dish soap can become quite messy when it spills over your dishwasher.
Soap can also be an effective tool for eliminating grease stains from clothing or other fabrics. Many brands offer pretreatment solutions you can apply directly onto stains before washing them in the laundry.
If you’re searching for an eco-friendly dish soap, avoid those that contain phosphates and other hard-to-pronounce ingredients like parabens and synthetic dyes or fragrances.
It’s essential to read the labels of any products you use to make sure they don’t contain phthalates, chemical additives that can be found in many plastic items. For instance, Dawn(r) doesn’t list phthalates as an ingredient.
Shampoo
Shampoo is an ideal product to use for eliminating grease stains from clothing. Much like dish soap, shampoo is a soap-based item designed to combat oily hair – so it only makes sense that it would also work great on clothing!
Apply shampoo to the stain (but ensure it’s covered) and wash as usual. This will quickly and easily eliminate grease stains from clothing, making it one of the quickest methods for getting them out.
If you don’t have access to shampoo, try making a solution out of salt and rubbing alcohol. This works best for stains on thicker fabrics, so it’s wise to mix the salt and alcohol separately in separate bowls for the best results.
You could also try using mechanics soap specifically designed to combat grease and oil. Apply the solution directly onto the stained garment and let sit for 15-30 minutes before washing in your machine.