Set-in grease stains can be stubborn, but they’re often still removable. The key is to break down the grease before putting the garment back through a hot dryer.
🧺 How to remove an old grease stain
- Don’t wet the stain first. Blot or brush away any loose residue.
- Apply a small amount of grease-cutting liquid dish soap directly to the stain.
- Gently work it into the fabric with your fingers or a soft toothbrush.
- Let it sit for 10–20 minutes.
- Rinse from the back of the fabric with warm water, if the care label permits.
- Apply a liquid laundry detergent and wash using the warmest temperature allowed by the garment-care label.
- Air-dry the garment and inspect the stain before using the dryer. Heat can make remaining grease harder to remove.
- If the mark remains, repeat the treatment before drying.
For really stubborn stains
For washable, colorfast fabrics, sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch over a fresh application of dish soap and let it sit for a while before washing. This can help absorb loosened grease, but it isn’t a substitute for the dish soap’s grease-cutting action.
Avoid: chlorine bleach as a first-line treatment for grease, excessive scrubbing, and putting the garment in the dryer while the stain is still visible.
For silk, wool, leather, dry-clean-only clothing, or delicate fabrics, don’t use this method—follow the care label or take it to a professional cleaner.
