Cleaning Tips

HOW TO GET OUT GREASE STAINS

Grease can be tricky to remove, but well worth the effort, especially if there’s carpeting, furniture or a favorite shirt at stake. Try these simple methods for removing grease:

Grease spots on upholstery:
Absorb as much of the grease stain as possible by blotting it with a clean white cloth or paper towel. Apply a layer of corn starch or talcum powder, then let it sit on the stain for several hours, which will take up part of the problem. Vacuum or brush away, then apply a commercial spot remover and rub gently with a clean cloth just moistened with warm water. Some people swear by Dawn dishwashing detergent as an effective grease remover—just use a dab. Other homeowners recommend spraying the stain with a 50/50 solution of ammonia and water. Test in an inconspicuous spot first! You may have to rent a commercial upholstery cleaner, or have the furniture professionally cleaned. Always check the manufacturer’s label on furniture before proceeding with any cleaning method.

Grease spots on clothing:
If fresh, blot with clean paper towel or cloth to absorb excess. Then rub a few drops of shampoo or grease-cutting liquid dish soap, such as Dawn or Sunlight, immediately into the spot. Launder as usual. A quarter cup of Dawn along with a quarter cup of Simple Green can also be added to the washing machine. Air dry after washing—don’t put the item in the dryer until you’ve had a chance to check for results of spot treatment. If necessary, repeat process and recheck.

Stubborn grease stains:
A variety of solutions can be tried, depending on the stain. Results may vary, but the effort may be worthwhile. A common treatment for greasy clothing stains is applying WD-40 to the stain, letting it sit for a half hour, and then laundering. Resolve brand spot cleaner, Dawn Power Dissolver, Lysol Kitchen Cleaner, Aloe Vera gel and even Coca-Cola have all been recommended by various individuals as a grease-removing pre-treatment before laundering. Let’s face it—if an item of clothing is conspicuously grease-stained, it’s not much use, anyway—you’ve got nothing to lose by trying one of these methods, and you might save a favorite garment from the rag bag.

Grease stains on garage floors and driveways:
Hands down, the easiest, safest and least expensive method of removing grease from your garage floor or driveway is applying a layer of kitty litter to the stain, allowing it to sit overnight or even for a few days, and sweeping it up. If that doesn’t work, consult your hardware store for a degreasing cleaner.