How to Clean Grease from Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You got grease on your clothes. Maybe it was from cooking, a car, or food. The dark stain seems impossible to remove, but grease can be cleaned from clothes with the right products. The key is to use a surfactant (dish soap) to break down the grease and hot water to wash it away. Here’s how to clean grease from clothes without damage.

A grease stain on clothes is an oil-based stain caused by grease bonding with fabric fibers. Grease is hydrophobic (water-repelling), so water alone won’t remove it. Cleaning grease requires a surfactant (dish soap) to break down the grease, a solvent (Shout foam) to dissolve the grease, and hot water to wash it away.

To clean grease from clothes, apply Dawn dish soap to the stain, let it sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, rinse with warm water, apply Shout foam or OxiClean, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water, and check before drying. Don’t use cold water, don’t rub, and don’t put grease-stained clothes in the dryer.

Step-by-Step: Cleaning Grease from Clothes

Step 1: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap to the grease stain. Work it in gently. The surfactants break down the grease. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

Step 2: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub the grease stain with an old toothbrush. Work from the outside in.

Step 3: Rinse with Warm Water

Rinse with warm water to remove the dish soap and loosened grease.

Step 4: Apply Shout Foam

Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

Step 5: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

Step 6: Apply Baking Soda

Sprinkle Arm and Hammer Baking Soda on the stain. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Brush off.

Step 7: Wash in Hot Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water. Add half a cup of baking soda.

Step 8: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse.

Step 9: Check Before Drying

If the grease stain remains, treat again and re-wash. Don’t put grease-stained clothes in the dryer.

For Dried Grease Stains

Step 1: Scrape Off Excess

Use a dull edge to scrape off any dried grease.

Step 2: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn dish soap full strength. Let it sit for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Apply Baking Soda

Sprinkle baking soda on the stain. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Brush off.

Step 4: Apply Shout Foam

Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

Step 5: Soak in Hot Water

Soak in hot water with 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle for 30 minutes.

Step 6: Wash in Hot Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water with baking soda.

Step 7: Check Before Drying

Repeat if needed.

For Stubborn Grease Stains

Use Rubbing Alcohol

Apply rubbing alcohol to the grease stain with a cotton ball. Blot.

Use Amodex

Apply Amodex Ink and Stain Remover. Work it in, let it sit for 10 minutes, and wash.

Use WD-40

Spray WD-40 on the grease stain. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Apply dish soap. Wash in hot water.

Use Hydrogen Peroxide (For White Clothes)

Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Don’t use on colored clothes.

Use Lysol for Disinfecting

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse.

Clean the Machine Monthly

Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner monthly.

What Not to Do

Don’t use cold water. Cold water doesn’t dissolve grease. Use hot water.

Don’t rub the stain. Rubbing spreads the grease. Scrub with a toothbrush.

Don’t put grease-stained clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat sets the grease permanently.

Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored clothes. Use oxygen bleach.

Don’t use fabric softener. It coats fibers and traps the grease.

Don’t wait too long. Fresh grease stains are easier to remove.

FAQ

How do you clean grease from clothes? Apply Dawn dish soap for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, rinse with warm water, apply Shout foam for 10 minutes, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water, and check before drying.

Does dish soap clean grease from clothes? Yes. Dawn dish soap is the best treatment for grease stains. Apply full strength, let it sit for 15 minutes, scrub, and wash in hot water.

Does hot water clean grease from clothes? Yes. Hot water dissolves grease. Wash grease-stained clothes in hot water with Tide Free and Gentle.

Can you put grease-stained clothes in the dryer? No. Dryer heat sets the grease permanently. Air dry and check first.

Does baking soda clean grease from clothes? Yes. Sprinkle baking soda on the grease stain to absorb the grease. Let it sit for 15 minutes, brush off, and wash.

References

1. Tide. “How to Clean Grease from Clothes.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “Grease Stain Removal Guide.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Grease Stain Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. Dawn. “Grease Removal Guide.” dawn-dish.com.