When you’re cooking, or even eating, it’s not uncommon to inadvertently stain yourself with grease. We can also sometimes spill oil, butter or mayonnaise on the floor or worktop, and end up with stains that just won’t come out.
The best way to deal with grease is to act quickly and act well. This means not using water, and certainly not hot water (a mistake that could make the problem worse). The best thing to do in an emergency is to use absorbent paper to soak up as much grease as possible.
On all non-porous surfaces, the problem can be solved quite simply, but on absorbent surfaces such as fabrics in general, you need the right gestures. Fortunately, there are plenty of tricks you can use to get rid of grease effectively. Here’s how to remove a grease stain from different types of surface.
Prevention and first reflexes
To avoid grease stains, it’s essential to take preventive measures. Here are a few practical tips:
- Avoid eating or drinking greasy or oily foods when wearing delicate clothing. This may seem obvious, but it’s a simple precaution that can save you a lot of trouble.
- Use napkins or paper towels to wipe your hands and lips after eating. This limits the transfer of grease to your clothes.
- Avoid touching your clothes with greasy or oily hands. If you’re cooking, remember to wear an apron to protect your clothes.
- Wash your clothes regularly to prevent the build-up of grease and dirt. Regular care keeps your clothes in good condition and prevents stubborn stains.
If, despite all these precautions, a greasy stain does appear, it’s crucial to act quickly to prevent it from becoming ingrained. Here are a few first steps to take:
- Absorb the stain with a paper towel or paper towel. This will limit the spread of the stain and absorb as much grease as possible.
- Use a degreaser or mild soap to clean the stain. Apply gently, without rubbing, to avoid damaging the fabric.
- Avoid using hot water, as it can melt grease and make it harder to remove. Use lukewarm or cold water instead.
Top tips for removing grease stains
Got a grease stain on one of your favorite garments? No problem! Here are some of the best tips for getting rid of grease stains the easy way.
Talcum powder, an effective stain remover
Talcum powder is a fine, white powder that absorbs greasy particles from clothing, whether cotton or silk. To clean a stain, simply pour talc directly onto the stain and dab with a clean cloth. The talc will absorb most of the grease. To see this, simply dust the garment to remove the excess talc. At this stage, however, you can repeat the operation if the stain persists. Once the result is satisfactory, simply place the garment in the washing machine on the usual cycle.
Alternatives to talc :
Several effective alternatives can be used in the same way as talc. These include
- Baking soda
- Flour
- Sommières earth
White vinegar, the multi-purpose household cleaner
White vinegar or spirit vinegar is a highly effective natural product for use throughout the home. Its properties are also effective on laundry, in particular, to remove greasy marks.
All you need to do is soak a clean cloth or rag in vinegar, and pat the stain. Leave for a few minutes, then wash the fabric in lukewarm water. This technique also works well on carpets and rugs.
Washing-up liquid
Dishwashing liquid is a product specially designed to remove grease from dishes, but it can also be used to remove grease stains from clothing. Before applying the washing-up liquid, use paper towels to absorb any excess grease.
Note that this trick only works when the stain is very recent. When this is the case, pour the washing-up liquid directly onto the stain and rub it in with a clean cloth. Leave to work for about an hour, then put the whole thing in the washing machine at 40°C.
Soda crystals
Soda crystals are a natural, highly effective ingredient in many homemade household products. They can be used to remove grease stains from a variety of surfaces. They can also be used to remove lipstick stains, thanks to their absorbent properties.
To do this, dilute 1 tablespoon of soda crystals in a bowl of lukewarm water. Then soak a clean cloth in the solution and pat the stain. After rinsing thoroughly, the stained linen should be put in the washing machine.
Marseille soap
Marseille soap, a grandmotherly trick, is a powerful detergent for cleaning grease stains. To use it, cover the stain with soap and rub with a soft sponge. Rinse with lukewarm water to remove the stain. If the stain persists, don’t hesitate to repeat the operation. Finally, machine wash to remove the stain.
Ammonia, a trick for cleaning floors and walls
Ammonia is an effective product for cleaning greasy floors and walls, including those covered with wallpaper.
Ammonia is applied by tapping with a clean cloth. Rinse with lukewarm water afterwards. For clothes, this trick can be used before machine washing.
However, this tip should not be used on concrete surfaces.
Mistakes to avoid
When trying to remove a grease stain, it’s important to avoid certain mistakes that can make the situation worse. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Don’t rub the stain with a brush or cloth. This can damage the fabric and make the stain harder to remove. Instead, dab gently with a clean cloth.
- Don’t use harsh chemicals. Industrial degreasers or solvents can damage fabric or leave residues that are difficult to remove.
- Don‘t let the stain dry. The longer a greasy stain remains on fabric, the harder it is to remove. Act quickly for best results.
Products to avoid
Some products can be harmful to fabrics or leave residues that can be difficult to remove. Here are some products to avoid:
- Harsh chemicals, such as industrial degreasers or solvent-based cleaning products. They can damage fabric fibers and leave unwanted marks.
- Products containing abrasives, such as scouring powders or scouring creams. These products can scratch or wear away fabric, making it more vulnerable to future stains.
- Products containing dyes or perfumes. These can leave residues or additional stains on the fabric, making cleaning even more difficult.
By following these tips and avoiding these mistakes, you can effectively treat grease stains and preserve the quality of your garments.
Some tips for removing grease from various surfaces
Removing grease from leather
A grease stain on leather shoes or sofa? Not a problem either! Here are a few tips to restore them to their original shine. Note that this tip works just as well on suede as on nubuck.
The first step is to use absorbent paper to remove as much grease as possible. Then use talcum powder or, failing that, flour, sprinkling it over the entire surface of the stain, before brushing it out with a soft-bristled brush. The greasy stain should gradually fade. If necessary, repeat the operation 2 or 3 times.
Finally, if the stain has not completely disappeared or has given way to a whitish halo, the leather should be lightly tinted and nourished to restore its original shine.
Removing grease from non-washable linen
If you accidentally stain a garment that can’t be machine-washed, as is often the case with down jackets, for example, there’s a simple trick you can use.
To do this, dampen a sponge with warm water and soak it in Marseille soap. Then pat the grease stain and repeat the operation several times, re-moistening the sponge.
When the sponge is well soaked with soap, you can rub gently to avoid damaging the fabric. Finally, rinse well with lukewarm water and dry the garment on a hanger away from direct sunlight.
In a nutshell
Grease is particularly difficult to remove from surfaces and linen. However, thanks to these numerous tips, it’s almost impossible for a stain to resist it.
