How to Get Set in Grease Stains Out of Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You have set in grease stains on clothes and want to remove them. Maybe the stain has been there for days or weeks, you already washed and dried the clothes, or you just noticed an old grease spot. Set in grease stains are harder to remove than fresh ones, but they can still be removed with the right products. Here’s how to get set in grease stains out of clothes without damaging the fabric.

Set in grease stains are oil-based stains that have been on clothes for an extended time or have been through the wash and dryer. The heat from the dryer sets the grease permanently into the fabric fibers. The key to removing set in grease is re-liquefying the oil (WD-40 or warm water), breaking it down with a surfactant (Dawn dish soap), and lifting it with OxiClean and baking soda.

To get set in grease stains out of clothes, apply Dawn dish soap to the stain, let sit for 30 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, apply baking soda paste, apply OxiClean, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying. For stubborn stains, use WD-40 to re-liquefy the grease first. Don’t use cold water, don’t rub, and don’t put grease-stained clothes in the dryer again.

Step-by-Step: Removing Set in Grease Stains

Step 1: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap directly to the set in grease stain. Work it in gently with your fingers. Let sit for 30 minutes. Dawn is a surfactant that breaks down grease.

Step 2: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub the stain with an old toothbrush. Work from the outside in. The scrubbing helps the dish soap penetrate the set in grease.

Step 3: Apply Baking Soda Paste

Make a paste of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda and water. Apply to the stain. Let sit for 30 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush. Baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive to lift the grease.

Step 4: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let sit for 15 minutes. OxiClean breaks down the remaining grease.

Step 5: Apply Shout Foam

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

Step 6: Wash in Warm Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Add half a cup of baking soda and 1 scoop of OxiClean to the wash.

Step 7: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser for the rinse.

Step 8: Check Before Drying

Check that the grease stain is gone before putting clothes in the dryer. If it remains, treat again and re-wash. Don’t put grease-stained clothes in the dryer.

Step 9: Air Dry

Air dry the clothes. Don’t use the dryer until you’re sure the stain is gone.

For Stubborn Set in Grease Stains

Use WD-40

For stubborn set in grease stains, apply WD-40 to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. The WD-40 re-liquefies the set in grease, making it easier to remove. Apply Dawn dish soap to remove the WD-40 and grease. Scrub with a toothbrush. Wash in warm water.

Use Rubbing Alcohol

Apply rubbing alcohol to the stain with a cotton ball. Let sit for 15 minutes. The alcohol helps dissolve stubborn grease. Blot with a clean cloth.

Use Cornstarch or Baby Powder

Sprinkle cornstarch or baby powder on the stain. Let sit for 30 minutes. The powder absorbs the grease. Brush off and reapply if needed. Then apply Dawn dish soap and wash.

Use Oxygen Bleach Soak

Soak the stained clothes in a solution of OxiClean and warm water for 2 to 6 hours before washing. This gives the oxygen bleach more time to break down the grease.

Use Hot Water (For Sturdy Fabrics)

For stubborn grease stains on sturdy white cotton, wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Hot water helps dissolve grease. Don’t use on delicates or colored clothes that might fade.

Use Amodex for Ink Mixed with Grease

If the grease stain has ink mixed in, use Amodex Ink and Stain Remover.

Use Lysol for Disinfecting

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse.

Repeat the Process

Stubborn set in grease stains may need 2 to 4 treatments. Repeat the process until the stain is gone.

Clean the Machine After

Clean the washer with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner.

Set in Grease Stain Removal by Fabric Type

Fabric Type	Best Treatment	Water Temp	Notes
White cotton	Dawn, OxiClean, WD-40, hot water	Hot	Can use hot water
Colored cotton	Dawn, OxiClean, WD-40	Warm	Don’t use hot water
Polyester	Dawn, OxiClean	Warm	Gentler scrubbing
Denim	Dawn, OxiClean, baking soda	Cold to warm	Wash inside out
Delicates	Dawn, gentle blotting	Cold	Don’t scrub, don’t use WD-40

How to Prevent Set in Grease Stains

Treat Grease Stains Immediately

Fresh grease stains are easier to remove than set in stains. Treat grease stains as soon as they happen.

Don’t Put Grease-Stained Clothes in the Dryer

Always check for grease stains before putting clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat sets grease permanently.

Use Dish Soap on Fresh Grease

Apply Dawn dish soap to fresh grease stains immediately. Let sit for 15 minutes before washing.

Check Clothes Before Drying

Check clothes for stains after washing and before drying. If a stain remains, treat again.

Air Dry Stained Clothes

If you’re not sure if a stain is gone, air dry instead of using the dryer. Air drying doesn’t set stains.

What Not to Do

Don’t use cold water for grease stains. Cold water doesn’t dissolve grease. Use warm water.

Don’t rub the stain. Rubbing spreads the grease. Scrape and scrub with a toothbrush.

Don’t put grease-stained clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat sets grease permanently. Air dry and check first.

Don’t use chlorine bleach on grease stains. Chlorine bleach doesn’t remove grease and can damage fabric. Use oxygen bleach (OxiClean).

Don’t use WD-40 on delicates. WD-40 can damage delicate fabrics. Use on sturdy fabrics only.

Don’t give up after one treatment. Set in grease stains may need 2 to 4 treatments. Be patient and repeat.

FAQ

How do you get set in grease stains out of clothes? Apply Dawn dish soap for 30 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, apply baking soda paste, apply OxiClean, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying. For stubborn stains, use WD-40 to re-liquefy the grease first.

Can you remove a grease stain after drying? Yes, but it’s harder. Apply Dawn dish soap, use WD-40 to re-liquefy the grease, apply baking soda paste, apply OxiClean, wash in warm water, and check before drying. Repeat if needed.

Does WD-40 remove set in grease stains? Yes. WD-40 re-liquefies set in grease, making it easier to remove. Apply to the stain, let sit for 15 minutes, apply Dawn dish soap to remove the WD-40 and grease, and wash.

What removes set in grease from clothes? Dawn dish soap, baking soda, OxiClean, and WD-40 remove set in grease from clothes. For stubborn stains, use WD-40 to re-liquefy the grease, then Dawn to break it down, and OxiClean to remove the remaining stain.

Can you put grease-stained clothes in the dryer? No. Dryer heat sets grease permanently. Air dry and check first. If the stain remains, treat again and re-wash.

References

1. Tide. “Grease Stain Removal Guide.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “How to Remove Set in Grease from Clothes.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Grease Stain Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. OxiClean. “Stain Removal Guide.” oxiclean.com.