Best Way to Get Grease Out of Clothes

We’ve all experienced those frustrating moments when cooking oil splatters on our clothes or a greasy food item leaves a stain.

But don’t worry, your garment isn’t permanently ruined. You can easily remove grease stains from clothes by following this helpful guide. It provides Step-by-Step Instructions on how to get rid of grease stains from various types of fabrics.

Several effective methods utilize common household items such as cornstarch, baby powder, and regular liquid laundry detergent. By using these tricks, you can effectively eliminate grease and oil stains from your clothing and restore them to their original condition.

Table of Contents

How to Remove Grease Stains from Canvas Clothing

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Photo: How to Remove Grease Stains from Canvas Clothing

To treat a cooking oil stain on canvas fabric, apply a heavy-duty liquid detergent, pretreatment spray, or a paste made from powdered detergent and water to the stained area.

Gently work the solution into the stain using your finger or a clean cloth, and let it sit for a few minutes. Wash the garment in the warmest water recommended for the fabric and let it air dry.

Ensure the stain is completely gone before using a dryer, as heat can set the paint. Repeat the process if necessary and follow the drying instructions on the garment label.

Removing Grease Stains from Chenille Clothing

For washable chenille items, immediately apply cornstarch or baby powder to the cooking oil stain to absorb the grease.

Allow the powder to sit on the stain for at least five minutes, then gently brush it off. If the stain persists, apply a stain pretreatment product according to the instructions. Wash the item following the garment’s label, air-dry it completely, and check for any remaining stains before using a dryer.

Getting Rid of Grease Stains from Corduroy Clothing

For washable corduroy items, apply cornstarch or baby powder to the cooking oil stain to absorb the grease.

Let it sit for at least five minutes, then brush off the powder gently. If the stain remains, use a stain pretreatment product according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Wash the item as directed on the garment label, air-dry it, and ensure the stain is completely gone before using a dryer.

Removing Grease Stains from Cotton Clothing

To remove a cooking oil stain from cotton fabric, saturate the stained area with a heavy-duty liquid detergent, pretreatment spray, or a paste made from powdered detergent and water.

Gently work the solution into the stain using your finger or a clean cloth, and let it sit for a few minutes. Wash the garment using the warmest water recommended for the fabric. Air-dry the clothing, as grease stains can seem to disappear when wet, and heat from the dryer can set the paint. Repeat the process if needed and dry the garment according to the label instructions.

Removing Grease Stains from Leather Clothing

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Photo: Removing Grease Stains from Leather Clothing

Blot the grease stain gently to remove excess oil.

Use quality saddle soap to clean the area and remove any residue. If necessary, try rubbing an absorbent powder like cornstarch or baking powder onto the stain.

Let it sit for a few hours or overnight, then brush off the powder. Repeat the process if needed.

Finish by using a leather cleaner and conditioner.

Removing Grease Stains from Linen Clothing

To remove grease stains from linen, saturate the stained area with a heavy-duty liquid detergent, pretreatment spray, or a paste made from powdered detergent and water.

Gently work the solution into the stain using your finger or a clean cloth. Wash the garment in the warmest water recommended for the fabric. Air-dry the clothing, as grease stains can seem to disappear when wet, and heat from the dryer can set the color. Repeat the process as necessary until the stain is gone.

How to Remove Grease Stains from Nylon, Polyester, Spandex, or Lycra Clothing

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Photo: How to Remove Grease Stains from Nylon, Polyester, Spandex, or Lycra Clothing

To remove grease stains from clothing made of nylon, polyester, spandex, or Lycra, you can follow the same steps.

Use a pretreatment product designed for oily stains or rub liquid detergent into the stained area. Wash the garment using the warmest water recommended for the fabric.

Air-dry the clothing and repeat the process if the stain persists. Once the stain is gone, dry the garment as directed.

For food grease stains on nylon and polyester, it’s important to treat them as soon as possible.

Apply an aerosol pretreatment laundry stain remover for at least one minute before washing the garment quickly. You may also want to rub the stained area with liquid detergent if the stain is set in.

Wash the clothing using the hottest water temperature recommended on the care label, then air-dry and inspect the area carefully. If any stain remains, wash the garment using liquid chlorine bleach for whites or color-safe bleach for colors.

Air-dry the clothing and repeat the process as needed.

Removing Grease Stains from Silk Clothing

Blot away as much oil as you can from the silk fabric.

Apply an absorbent powder like cornstarch or baking powder to the stain and let it sit overnight. Gently brush off the powder and reapply if necessary. If the stain persists, dab a small amount of clear, grease-cutting dish detergent onto the stain and let it sit for at least an hour. Dab with water to remove the detergent and blot dry.

Getting Rid of Grease Stains from Suede Clothing

Blot the excess oil from the suede fabric.

Dip a cloth into ground cornmeal and rub it into the stain using a circular motion. Allow it to dry, then gently brush off the powder with a wire brush. Repeat the process if needed. If the stain remains, test lemon juice on an inconspicuous area of the suede. If there is no damage, rub the stain with lemon juice and hold it in the steam from a boiling teakettle for a few minutes. Brush the suede fabric with a wire brush.

Removing Grease Stains from Velvet Clothing

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Photo: Removing Grease Stains from Velvet Clothing

For washable velvet items, immediately apply cornstarch or baby powder (which act as absorbents) to the grease stain.

Let the absorbent sit on the stain for at least five minutes, then gently brush it off. If the stain is small, this may be sufficient.

If not, apply a stain pretreatment product according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Wash the item following the garment label’s instructions.

Air-dry the clothing, as grease stains tend to disappear when wet. Check to ensure the stain is completely gone before using a dryer, as the heat can set the stain.

Getting Rid of Grease Stains from Wool Clothing.

Gently scrape off as much cooking oil as possible from the wool fabric.

Then, apply an absorbent substance like cornstarch or baking soda to the surface of the wool and let it sit for at least an hour. Gently brush off the powder and reapply if needed.

If a stain remains, carefully wet the area with cool, sudsy water mixed with vinegar. Blot with clear water and blot dry.

If the stain persists, try using a consumer dry-Cleaning Solvent following the manufacturer’s instructions.

*The information is for reference only.