MENUMENU
  • START HERE
  • Home
  • About The Merry Momma
    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
  • Work With me
  • Contact Me
  • Shop

The Merry Momma

Embracing Motherhood with Peace, Joy, and Intention

  • Motherhood
  • Family
  • Kids
  • Food
  • Homemaking
  • Books
  • Shop

How to Get Grease Stains Out of Clothes That Have Been Dried

February 17, 2020 By Lisa Mullen 23 Comments

Set-in grease stains are frustrating, and they’re hard to catch! Here’s how to get grease stains out of clothes that have been washed and dried.

How to Get Grease Stains Out of Clothes That Have Been Dried

**Links in this post may be affiliate links. This means that if you click that link and purchase the product, I may receive a small compensation. I am, however, committed to honestly assessing the products mentioned. Please read my disclosure policy for more details. **

Grease/oil stains are my greatest laundry nemesis. They’re so sneaky! Other stains I usually catch before they go in the wash and can pre-treat as necessary. Not so with grease — they’re the ninjas of pesky stains.

Related Post: How to Easily Remove Sticker Residue From Clothes {in 30 Seconds Or Less!}

They don’t announce their presence like most other stains. They’re not brightly colored like a spaghetti stain or obvious like a dirt stain.

Oh no, they ever-so-slightly darken a fabric so that you don’t even notice until it’s been washed and dried. Even then sometimes you don’t notice until you put it on.

Grease stain

Those crafty little grease stains. So frustrating.

But good news — they can be fixed! (Most of the time.)

And here’s how:



WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

  • Dish detergent (must be petroleum-based like Dawn, not all-natural or plant-based)
  • Scrub brush or old toothbrush



HOW TO GET GREASE STAINS OUT OF CLOTHES THAT HAVE BEEN DRIED

  1. Dampen the area with water.
  2. Cover the grease stain with liquid dish detergent. (I’ve also heard shampoo, bar soap, or Fels Naptha work.)Dawn on the grease stain
  3. Use a scrub brush or old toothbrush to work the detergent into the stain.
  4. Rinse the detergent with water.
  5. Wash with laundry detergent in hottest water possible according to your clothing’s label.
  6. Allow to air-dry. You want to make sure the stain is removed before putting it in the dryer.
  7. Repeat the process as necessary until the stain is gone. OR proceed to the next method

No more grease stain

FOR THE SUPER SET-IN GREASE STAINS

The method above will do the trick against most normal everyday grease stains. But if you’re facing a stubborn stain that remained untouched and unaffected by the above method, then it’s time to bring out the big guns.



WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

  • WD-40
  • Baking soda
  • Piece of cardboard
  • Dawn dish detergent
  • Scrub brush or old toothbrush

How to Remove Stubborn Grease Stains

  1. Place your piece of cardboard underneath the stain area between the front and back of the shirt (pants, dress, etc.) This will prevent the WD-40 from bleeding to the other side, causing a whole new stain.
  2. Carefully spray a little WD-40 onto the center of the stain. (It will spread.)
  3. Sprinkle generously with baking soda.
  4. Rub the baking soda well into the stain with your brush.
  5. Brush off the lumps and repeat until all you have is a fine, dry dusting. (The lumps are caused by the baking soda absorbing the grease. No more lumps = no more grease)
  6. Pour dish detergent onto the stain area and rub in with the brush.
  7. Allow the detergent to sit for 30 minutes.
  8. Wash as usual.
  9. Air dry, again to make sure the oil stain is actually gone. They are next to impossible to spot when the clothing is wet.
  10. Repeat the process, if necessary.


More Cleaning Hacks:

  • How to Easily Remove Sticker Residue From Clothes {in 30 Seconds Or Less!}
  • How to Clean Your Microwave Like Magic
  • The One Change That Transformed My Laundry Game
  • 12 Unique Ways to Enjoy Housework (Even When You Hate It!)

(Visited 373,936 times, 2 visits today)

Filed Under: Family, For the Home Tagged With: Cleaning, Home, Laundry

Comments

  1. Lakisha Thomas says

    January 25, 2021 at 7:05 am

    Oil stain been n 4 a year but dish liquid worked ❣ thanks alot

    Reply
    • Lisa Mullen says

      January 25, 2021 at 8:59 pm

      Yay! I’m so glad!!

      Reply
  2. Mary Piroli says

    March 5, 2021 at 3:26 pm

    Thank you!!!!! I can now where my favourite tee shirt in public again. Am going to try on the rest of my clothes that I deemed suitable only for gardening or cooking lol

    Reply
    • Lisa Mullen says

      March 9, 2021 at 3:27 pm

      Yay! I’m so glad I could help! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Alison says

    June 12, 2021 at 8:03 am

    My boyfriend got bacon grease while he was cooking on his green hoodie. It look like he got shot with a nerf gun full of it, it was on the sleeve and middle torso of it. He washed it in detergent, spot treated it, dried multiple times. He finally gave it to me to see if I could do something. Tried first method, and it was still there. So then, I took the leap of faith with the WD-40. It was pretty frightening to squirt oil intentionally onto the love of your life’s hoodie. Washed it in hot water and….IT WORKED!!!!! Thank you a million times for this!!!!!

    Reply
    • Lisa Mullen says

      June 17, 2021 at 3:19 pm

      Hooray!!! Yes, the thought of squirting WD-40 on my clothes was a little terrifying to me, too. 🤣 But it works! I’m so glad this saved the day for you. This is exactly why I shared this magical fix! 😄

      Reply
  4. Lisa says

    July 6, 2021 at 7:48 pm

    Hi my daughter has a pair of timberland boots a light gray color and she has got grease or oil on them on the front which is now a dark gray and we don’t know how long it has been like that. I have tried talcum powder but it hasn’t moved it any ideas how to get it off these are such nice boots. Please help

    Reply
    • Lisa Mullen says

      July 16, 2021 at 2:44 pm

      Oh no! Can you try the method in this post (without putting them in the washing machine, of course, but washing by hand in hot water)? I hope you find a solution!

      Reply
  5. Dana ward says

    July 29, 2021 at 11:52 pm

    Actually something I’ve found that works better and even on lots of other stain like hard grass stains is starting fluid. Does fade or bleach colors. Might have to run it through rinse cycle a second time with fabric softer cuz it has a strong smell and I wouldn’t recommend doing it in the house either. Spray out side then run in and put it in washer. Works great even for mechanics and all there oil stains as well.

    Reply
  6. Won says

    August 10, 2021 at 2:59 am

    Hey so I have wind breaker with baker grease , nylon fabric. Which method should I try?

    Reply
    • Lisa Mullen says

      August 16, 2021 at 8:17 am

      I couldn’t say for sure. I always try the first method first, and if that doesn’t work, I try the second!

      Reply
  7. Lisa Stephens says

    September 16, 2021 at 3:14 am

    Will try set in grease stain recommendations…thx a bunch…my favorite shirt too☹️

    Reply
    • Lisa Mullen says

      September 20, 2021 at 10:56 am

      I hate when that happens!! Hopefully, one of these two methods should do the trick!

      Reply
  8. Steve says

    December 2, 2021 at 10:37 am

    The dish soap method worked on a 6 year old grease stain on a jacket that I loved. Thanks for the help on removing it!

    Reply
    • Lisa Mullen says

      December 11, 2021 at 1:14 pm

      How wonderful!! I love hearing stories this this.

      Reply
  9. Victoria says

    January 16, 2022 at 9:42 pm

    Thank you ! Thank you! Thank you !
    Favorite lululemon hoodies saved after several previous attempts to remove those stubborn stains . First method worked , one hoodie took two attempts but worked so well .

    Reply
    • Lisa Mullen says

      January 17, 2022 at 10:51 am

      Yay!!! I’m always thrilled when this is able to save a favorite article of clothing! (especially when it’s mine 😉 )

      Reply
  10. Nancy says

    January 31, 2022 at 11:11 am

    I just bought my husband some new shirts. He didnt even have them for a week when with the first one he went to carve a turkey and he got the grease all down the front of him. The next day he was eating stuffed meatballs and spaghetti and spilled that down the front of him. I was so upset until I found you !! The stains are gone. I just wish I had taken before and after pictures. Thank you so much

    Reply
    • Lisa Mullen says

      February 3, 2022 at 3:17 pm

      Hooray for keeping husbands out of the dog house! 🤣 I’m SO glad I could help!

      Reply
  11. Danielle Hansing says

    February 22, 2022 at 10:05 pm

    Thanks for sharing, i’m definitely going to try these 🙂 I was about to ask if your methods are safe for silk but I just checked the tag of my oil stained “silk” shirt is actually 100% polyester so I think I’m in the clear lol. Cheers!

    Reply
    • Lisa Mullen says

      February 24, 2022 at 8:21 pm

      Haha! I’m sorry it’s not silk as you thought 😉, but I’m very hopeful one of these methods will work for you!

      Reply
  12. Pam Gomez says

    September 8, 2022 at 1:44 pm

    Definitely going to try these methods on my 2 favorite shirts I have tried everything I could think and now I found you are read the comments so here we go. I will
    Let you know if they worked. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Lisa Mullen says

      September 9, 2022 at 4:11 pm

      Keep me posted!

      Reply

Share your thoughts! Cancel reply

Follow The Merry Momma

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
FREE email series - 5 Days to a More Joyful YOU!

Have you been feeling run down, worn out, or frustrated by motherhood? Restore the joy to your mothering with this FREE 5-day email series!

25 Family Favorite Dinners | Quick & Easy Dinners

About Me


Hi, I’m Lisa! I am first and foremost a child of God, and secondly a wife and mother of two precious little misters and one sweet little missy.

I'm here to encourage, inspire, and offer practical help for moms to empower them be the joyful, peaceful, and intentional mom they want to be!

Become the Master of Your Meals!

Become the Master of Your Meals with The Every Mom's Meal Solution Handbook

Facebook

Want to Be a More Joyful Mom?

Get the body you want after baby with MUTU System

Popular Posts

  • How to Get Grease Stains Out of Clothes How to Get Grease Stains Out of Clothes That Have Been Dried
  • How to Easily Remove Dried Sticker Residue From Clothes | The Merry Momma How to Remove Sticker Residue From Clothes {in 30 Seconds Or Less!}
  • The Best Bibs for Heavy Droolers The Best Bibs for Heavy Droolers
  • My Second Baby | The Merry Momma 7 Things I Wish I Had Known Before My Second Baby
  • Mommy and Me Activities 30 “Mommy & Me” Activities to Do With Your Kids

Shop The Merry Momma!

The Merry Momma Manual print version
The Merry Momma Manual – Print
$9.99

BUY ON AMAZON

Picture of The Merry Momma Manual Ebook
The Merry Momma Manual {Ebook}
$10.00

Add to cart

Glitter & Dirt T-Shirt
$18.99

BUY ON AMAZON

Meal Solution Handbook paperback
The Every Mom’s Meal Solution Handbook – Print
$9.99

BUY ON AMAZON

The Every Mom's Meal Solution Handbook
The Every Mom’s Meal Solution Handbook
$10.00

Add to cart

I Love Coffee mug
I Love Coffee, I Love Tea Mug
$14.99

Buy Now

Work In Progress – Youth
$16.99

Buy Now

Love the Ones You're With
Love the Ones You’re With: 30-Day Joyful Motherhood Challenge {Print}
$9.99

Buy Now

Strength & Joy Shirts
$18.99

Buy now

Ebook version
Love the Ones You’re With: A 30-Day Joyful Motherhood Challenge {Ebook}
$7.00

Add to cart

(Note: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.)

Copyright © 2023 · The Tiffany Theme by Blogelina · Built on the Genesis Framework

Copyright © 2023 · The Tiffany On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in