How to Get Grease Stains Out of Clothing That Has Already Dried

Mistakes happen, so if you accidentally tossed your favorite t-shirt in the dryer without checking to make sure a grease stain was gone, don’t panic. Although set-in grease looks like a wardrobe disaster, it’s not impossible to remove, even after the clothing has already dried. Whether the stain is cooking oil, butter or even automotive grease, it may take several attempts with the stain removal process to remove it completely.

Removing a Food Foe

Put a few drops of shampoo directly onto the food-related grease stain. Rub it in with your fingers and let it sit for five minutes.

Wash the clothing in the hottest water safe for the fabric and the recommended amount of laundry detergent for the load size. Let the clothing air-dry completely and inspect for any traces of the grease stain.

Pour a few drops of heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent onto the spot if the grease stain remains. Rub it in with your fingers.

Apply a pretreatment laundry spray to the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes, and wash the clothing in the hottest water safe for the fabric and with the recommended amount of laundry detergent for the load. Air dry the clothing to make sure all the entire grease stain is gone.

Removing Automotive Ablution

Cover the stain with household lubricating spray. Work it into the fabric with your fingers.

Squirt dishwashing detergent onto the grease spot so the detergent covers the entire stain. Blot the stain with a clean cloth to remove as much of the grease as possible.

Apply more dishwashing detergent to the stain so it’s covered again. Work the soap into the spot with your fingers. Let it sit for five minutes.

Wash the clothing in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Add 1/4 cup of dishwashing detergent and 1/4 cup of liquid degreasing cleaner to the load along with regular laundry detergent. Run the clothing through a complete wash cycle and let it air dry completely.