Stains
How to remove grease stains
Grease yields to dish soap and heat — after you've lifted the excess. Pressing it in first just drives the stain deeper.
Recipes for grease on different materials
GreaseCarpet
Grease on Carpet — How to Get It Out
To remove a grease stain from carpet, blot up the excess oil immediately, cover the stain with baking soda to absorb what remains, then lift the grease with dish soap and warm water. Grease clings to carpet fibers and spreads if you rub, so patience and the right absorbent are key. Fresh stains come out easily; old ones need more time and sometimes a second round of baking soda.
GreaseCotton
Grease on cotton — how to get it out
Grease stains on cotton come out best when you treat them with dish soap or baking soda before washing, because cotton fibers trap oil deep in their weave. Fresh grease lifts faster than set-in stains, but both respond to the same approach: break down the oil with a degreaser, then wash in the hottest water the fabric can handle. Cotton is tough and forgiving, so you can scrub, soak, and use high heat without worry.
GreaseCotton
Grease on Cotton Tablecloth — How to Get It Out
Grease stains on cotton tablecloths respond best to dish soap or baking soda applied before washing, because cotton's tight weave holds oil until you break it down with a degreaser. Tablecloths see repeated spills, so treat the stain as soon as you clear the table — fresh grease lifts far more easily than oil that has been ironed or dried into the fibers.
GreaseDenim
Grease on Denim — How to Get It Out
Grease stains on denim respond well to dish soap and hot water because denim is sturdy enough to handle aggressive treatment. The key is to absorb as much grease as possible before you add water, then use a degreaser to break down the oil. Denim's tight twill weave holds grease in the fibers, so you'll need a little patience and mechanical action to lift it out.
GreaseLeather
Grease on Leather — How to Get It Out
Grease stains on leather need to be absorbed, not scrubbed or washed, because leather is porous and water can leave permanent marks. The trick is to draw the oil out with a dry powder, then condition the leather once it's clean. Act quickly — fresh grease lifts more easily than old, set-in oil.
GreaseLinen
Grease on Linen — How to Get It Out
Grease stains on linen respond best to dish soap and hot water, because linen can handle heat and the soap breaks down the oil. Linen's absorbent fibers trap grease quickly, so treat the stain as soon as you can. The steps below work for cooking oil, butter, salad dressing, and most kitchen grease.
GreaseLinen
Grease on linen tablecloth — how to get it out
Grease stains on linen tablecloths respond well to dish soap and hot water because linen can handle high heat and needs degreasing power, not just detergent. The key is to treat the stain before it oxidizes and turns dark, and to use the hottest water linen can take. Linen's long fibers mean grease sits on the surface longer than on cotton, so you have a good window to lift it out completely.
GreasePolyester
Grease on Polyester — How to Get It Out
Grease stains on polyester come out easily because the synthetic fibers don't absorb oil the way natural fabrics do. The key is to use dish soap, which is designed to cut grease, followed by a hot wash that polyester can handle without damage. Fresh stains lift in minutes; older ones may need a second round.
GreaseUpholstery
Grease on Upholstery — How to Get It Out
To remove grease stains from upholstery, blot away excess oil, cover the stain with baking soda to absorb the grease, then treat with dish soap and warm water. Upholstery fabrics can't be thrown in the washing machine, so you need to work carefully without soaking the cushion foam underneath. Fresh grease lifts more easily than old stains, but both respond to patient blotting and a good degreaser.
GreaseUpholstery
Grease on Upholstery — How to Get It Out
To remove grease stains from upholstery on a sofa, you need to absorb the oil first with baking soda, then lift what remains with dish soap and careful blotting—never scrub, or you'll push grease deeper into the cushion foam. Upholstery fabrics are thicker and backed by padding, so the stain can wick down if you use too much water or rub hard. Work from the outside in, and test on a hidden seam first.