How to get grease stains out of clothes
Getting grease stains out of your clothes is annoying. Cooking, eating, or even simply touching something greasy is enough to go wrong. If you are a bit more careful, you can prevent these stains. But if you do get a stain, treating it quickly is the best thing to do for something this annoying.
Getting grease stains out of clothes with pretreatment
Grease stains can be hard to get out, especially once they have soaked into the fabric of your clothes. With a good pretreatment they can often be fully removed. This is what you should put on the stain to tackle it before you wash your clothes.
1. Dish soap
This is a simple but powerful first step. Apply a little dish soap directly to the grease stain. Leave the product to work so it can break down the grease. A few minutes to half an hour is usually enough, depending on how stubborn the stain is.
2. Ox gall soap
This natural stain remover is particularly effective against grease. Wet the soap, rub it gently over the grease stain, then wash the garment at a suitable temperature, making sure the soap does not dry into the fabric .
3. Baking soda or talcum powder
If the stain is fresh, you can use baking soda or talcum powder. Sprinkle the powder over the stain, leave it to work for about an hour to absorb the grease, then tap the leftovers off. Then wash the garment as usual .
4. White spirit
For older and more stubborn grease stains, white spirit can offer a solution. Test this first on an inconspicuous spot of the fabric to make sure it does not damage the clothes. Apply it to the grease stain and then wash the garment in the usual way.
How do you get the grease stain out?
To really get grease stains out of your clothes, there are several things you can try. Here are some of the most effective ways:
Dish soap
Dish soap is good against grease stains because it can break down grease. Put some dish soap on the stain, leave it for a few minutes, then wash the garment as usual in the washing machine.
White spirit
If you have an old or very stubborn grease stain, white spirit can help. Try this first on a small, invisible piece of fabric to see that it does not leave marks. Put some white spirit on the stain, leave it to work for a moment, then wash it in the washing machine.
Talcum powder or baking soda
These products absorb grease well and are useful on new grease stains. Sprinkle some talcum powder or baking soda on the stain, wait an hour, then wipe it away before you wash.
Cleaning vinegar
Mix cleaning vinegar with water and gently blot the grease stain with a clean cloth. This works well on stains that are not too stubborn. Do not use this mix undiluted, to prevent damage to the fabric.
Special stain removers
There are special stain removers for sale that are good at removing grease stains from clothes. These products have ingredients that can tackle the grease well.
Special tips for different fabrics
When you are dealing with stain removal, it is important to take the type of fabric of your clothes into account, because each fabric needs a specific approach.
Cotton and polyester: For these fabrics you can use dish soap. Spread the product on the grease stain and leave it to work for a moment before you wash the garment at the normal temperature.
Suede: Suede needs a delicate treatment. Make a mix of cleaning vinegar and water and blot this gently onto the stain. Avoid rubbing hard so the stain does not spread.
Silk: With silk it is better not to use water. Talcum powder or cornstarch are good options because they can absorb the grease without damaging the delicate fabric. Sprinkle the powder on the stain, leave it to work, and brush it off carefully.
Wool: Ox gall soap is an effective choice for wool. Wet the soap, rub it over the stain, then wash the garment at a low temperature to prevent the wool from shrinking.
It is always a good idea to try the treatment first on an inconspicuous part of the garment, especially with delicate fabrics.
Preventing new grease stains
To prevent grease stains, it is important to clean kitchen utensils and worktops regularly. This reduces the chance of grease getting on your clothes. Treating your clothes with an *impregnating agent can also help. In rooms where you work with grease, such as the kitchen and the garage, it is also wise to stay extra alert. By wearing protective clothing or an apron, you prevent direct contact with grease.
*What is impregnating agent? This makes textile stain-resistant/waterproof, so grease soaks in less quickly.
Do you also struggle with annoying grease stains in your clothes? Don't worry, with the right treatment you can get them out again. For an effective approach use dish soap, ox gall soap, baking soda, or special stain removers. Each has its own method, so choose what works best for your stain and fabric. And for future stains, remember: a clean kitchen and wearing an apron can prevent a lot of problems!
