Simple Ways to Get Oil and Grease Stains Out of Clothes

Of all the possible offenders on clothing, grease, and oil stains are some of the most troublesome. These stains don't just seem to stick out like a sore thumb on your clothes; they are also very difficult to remove.

Most fats and oils are semi-solid or solid at room temperature, which means that removal requires warm or hot water. It also depends on the fabric, synthetic fibers like polyester are especially difficult to treat because they attract grease and oil.

And yet, removing oil stains from clothing is definitely not impossible if it is timed properly. If you're hoping to remove a greasy stain from your clothes, whether it's fresh or neat, here's everything you need to know, according to laundry experts.

How to use baking soda to remove oil stains

Laundry expert Patric Richardson, owner of the Minneapolis-based Mona Williams boutique, says that baking soda works by drawing oil from the fabric into itself.

If he can't wash something, like a heavy coat or furniture, Richardson recommends using baking soda as the first line of defense before treating the stain. To see how:

• Remove excess oil with a paper towel or cloth
• Sprinkle baking soda on the affected tissue and let it sit for 24 hours.
• After a day has passed, vacuum or brush off the baking soda.
• Spray the affected area with a solution of vinegar and water.
• Scrub with soap and a brush, then rinse.
• Repeat the process if the stain remains.

How to use chalk to remove oil stains

Technically, Richardson says, chalk should remove oil from clothing in the same way that baking soda does: literally drawing oil from the fabric into itself.

But he does not recommend chalk for large or fixed places. Instead, try this trick with little splatters of grease, as if you're cooking and a grease stain ends up on your shirt.

• Remove any excess food and oil from clothing with a clean paper towel.
• Cover the entire stain with chalk, allowing a few minutes for the oil to absorb completely.
• Wash soiled garment as soon as possible after dyeing.

How to remove settled oil stains, step by step

Installed oil stains can be intimidating and certainly require some work (and the right ingredients) to remove.

If you didn't get a chance to remove the oil or grease stain immediately after it happened, follow these steps:

1. Work on the stain while the fabric is dry

It is not a good idea to rinse clothes with water before cleaning the stain. "It's so much easier to work on a dry fabric because oil and water don't mix," says Richardson.

"So when you wet the fabric, what happens is that the water covers the entire fabric around the oil, so you have nowhere to move the oil."

2. Place a piece of cardboard behind the stain

Placing a piece of cardboard between the layers of clothing will help prevent oil transfer to other parts of the fabric.

Upgrade something around the house, like an old cereal box or a delivery box.

3. Wipe the stain with a clean, dry cloth

You should try to remove as much of the excess oil as possible. Dry gently to avoid smearing oil on unaffected parts of the fabric.

If you don't have a cloth, a napkin, tissue, or paper towel will work too.

4. Apply laundry detergent to the stain

Liquid soap is effective in removing grease from clothes, just as it does dishes. As a pre-treatment, apply a few drops of liquid soap to the stain and allow it to soak in, rubbing gently with your fingers, a clean, soft-bristled toothbrush, or a cloth to help soften it. Let the dish soap soak in for about five minutes.

5. Rinse with warm water and wash normally

Wait five minutes after applying the washing powder and rinse with lukewarm water.

Wash the garment in hot water with your normal detergent plus bleach (for whites) or a color-safe laundry enhancer (such as OxiClean or The Laundress ’Bleach Alternative, for colored garments).

6. Air or line dry your clothes

Because grease stains are difficult to see on wet clothing, Goodman recommends waiting for it to dry in the machine until you are sure the stain is actually gone.

If any stains remain after air drying, repeat the soap treatment and rewash with hot water.

Do not machine dry your item as the high temperature can set the stain and make it even more difficult to remove.

We hope you enjoy watching this video about how to remove oil stains from clothes:

Source: MR. MAKER

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