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As long as you work quickly, most food stains can be pretty easily removed with water and a little determination. But some stains are peskier than others. Among the toughest stains are greasy, oily stains, which can quickly ruin your favorite shirts, tablecloths, cookware and carpets. If you want to learn how to get rid of grease stains, then we’ve got all the info you need to banish those stains for good.
In order to tackle grease and oil stains, you have to act quickly. But if you don’t know what to do, you could actually end up making things worse. For example, many food stains have to be removed using cold water, and if you use hot water on them, they’ll actually set in more quickly. There are some stains that require hot water, too, such as grass, mustard and tomato-based products.
Grease and oil stains are warm water stains. That means using warm to hot water will more effectively remove the stain. However, water alone isn’t enough to get rid of stubborn stains. Fortunately, most of the products you’ll need to remove oil and grease stains can be found in your kitchen.
Here are some tips for quickly removing oil and grease stains using common household cleaners
How To Remove Grease Stains At Home
Dish Soap
Dish soap cuts through grease and oil on your cookware, and it can do the same for your clothing. Simply apply dish soap to the problem area, work it in using a paper towl, and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, rinse the shirt with warm water and throw it in a washing machine, following the label’s instructions. It’s best to hang dry your clothes after you wash them (this is true in general, but especially for a grease stain). The reason for this is that if the stain is not fully removed after washing, the heat from the dryer will cause the stain to set in.
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Baking Soda
Baking soda is the little engine that could — it’s handy to keep around for all sorts of cleaning emergencies. Sprinkling baking soda on a stain can help effectively absorb the grease. You’ll want to leave the baking soda overnight, or at least for a few hours. Then, you can vacuum the baking soda away. If the stain is still there, you can then apply another solution, such as dish soap to further treat it. Baking soda is a good option for stains on items you can’t put in the washing machine, such as carpets.
OxiClean Stain Remover Powder
This stain removing powder from OxiClean is versatile enough to be used for clothes, carpet and even hard surfaces. If you’re using it for clothing, you can put the powder in the washing machine before adding laundry. For carpets, you can apply the powder directly to the soiled area, let it sit for a few minutes, then blot it.
Remove Grease Stains on the Go
Learning how to get rid of grease stains at home is easy. All your cleaning supplies are at the ready, and all you need to do is act quickly and start scrubbing. But what if you’re at work, traveling or otherwise on the go?
Try the handy products and home remedies below to get rid of grease stains in a pinch.
OxiClean Max Force Gel Stain Remover Stick
Unlike some pretreatment solutions, this cleaning stick from OxiClean is designed to be applied without having to immediately wash the item. That means you can use this stain remover on a stain on your shirt and put it in the wash once you get home. The 6.2 oz canister is a little large to carry on the go, but it’s the perfect size to keep at your desk or in a work locker. Since it’s a gel, you won’t have to walk around with a wet shirt. It’s a versatile option that’s designed to attack different kinds of stains, including grease and oil.
Nellie’s Wow Stick Stain Remover
This option from Nellie’s is designed to make quick work of different kinds of stains, and it’s also formulated with all-natural ingredients. It’s a compact, travel-friendly option, so you can keep it in your desk drawer. It does require water, so it’s not necessarily as portable as a gel-based stick, but if you’re willing to wet the problem area, it can be an effective and natural way to remove stains.
Salt
If you’re out and about and don’t have any way to get to a sink, salt can be used in a pinch. Pretty much any restaurant, cafe or food truck will have salt packets, so it’s the easiest solution if you can’t pop into a bathroom. Salt can be an effective way to absorb oil and grease stains until you can get home or somewhere to remove the stain.
Shout Wipe & Go Instant Stain Remover
These wipes are not specifically formulated for grease and oils, but they can still help in a pinch. While on-the-go solutions are generally not as effective when it comes to greasy stains, these wipes are still useful for removing a variety of food stains. They’re super portable, so you can easily keep them in your car, in a bag or at your desk.