Grease Stains on Clothes: A Repeatable Care Routine

You keep getting grease stains on clothes. Maybe you cook often, work on cars, or eat messy foods. Grease stains are stubborn because grease bonds strongly with fabric fibers. But with a repeatable care routine, you can remove grease stains every time. Here’s a repeatable care routine for grease stains on clothes.

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. Removing 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. A repeatable routine ensures consistent results.

To remove grease stains 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, 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.

The Repeatable Grease Stain Routine

Step 1: Apply Dish Soap (1 minute)

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap to the grease stain. Work it in gently. The surfactants break down the grease.

Step 2: Let It Sit (15 minutes)

Let the dish soap sit on the stain for 15 minutes. This gives the surfactants time to break down the grease.

Step 3: Scrub with a Toothbrush (1 minute)

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

Step 4: Rinse with Warm Water (1 minute)

Rinse with warm water to remove the dish soap and loosened grease. Don’t use cold water.

Step 5: Apply Shout Foam (1 minute)

Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam to the stain. The solvents dissolve the grease.

Step 6: Let It Sit (10 minutes)

Let the Shout foam sit for 10 minutes.

Step 7: Apply OxiClean (1 minute)

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

Step 8: Apply Baking Soda (1 minute)

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

Step 9: Wash in Hot Water (45 minutes)

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

Step 10: Add Vinegar to the Rinse (1 minute)

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse.

Step 11: Check Before Drying (1 minute)

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 Lysol for Disinfecting

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse.

Clean the Machine Monthly

Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner monthly.

Repeatable Routine for Grease-Prone Clothes

If you work with grease regularly, follow this routine:

1. Pre-treat immediately: Apply Dawn dish soap to grease stains as soon as possible.
2. Let it sit: Give dish soap 15 minutes to work.
3. Scrub: Use a toothbrush to work in the dish soap.
4. Apply Shout foam: For extra grease-busting power.
5. Wash in hot water: Hot water dissolves grease.
6. Add baking soda: For extra cleaning and deodorizing.
7. Add vinegar to the rinse: For softening and deodorizing.
8. Check before drying: Don’t put grease-stained clothes in the dryer.
9. Repeat if needed: Grease stains may need 2 to 3 treatments.
10. Clean the machine monthly: Use affresh to remove grease buildup.

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 remove grease stains 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 remove grease stains 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 remove grease stains? 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.

How do you prevent grease stains on clothes? Wear an apron when cooking, treat stains immediately with Dawn dish soap, and wash in hot water before the stain sets.

References

1. Tide. “How to Remove 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.