How to Fade Oil and Grease Stains from Fabric

It doesn't matter how hard you might try, food, drinks and other products splash, splat or otherwise bombard the fabrics of your furniture, carpet, draperies and other items. Unfortunately, some of those stains are going to be either oil- or grease-based--one of the worst types of stain to remove. Follow the steps below and cross your fingers that if you can't remove these stains, you can at least fade them.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels
• Cotton cloth
• Brush (like a toothbrush)
• Oil absorbent such as cornstarch, flour, borax or talcum powder
• Stain-removing product(s)
• Detergents (such as Dawn dish detergent, Tide Liquid or Simple Green)
• Grease busters (such as Mr. Clean, Pine Sol, Kaboom, Grease Lightning, Stainz Out, Professor Amos, Goo Gone or oven, tire or brake cleaners)

Instructions

1. Deal with the stain as quickly as possible. The earlier you work on the stain, the more likely you can remove or, at the very least, fade it.

2. Determine the type of fabric you are dealing with. While some can be treated with water-based products, others must be treated alternatively. If you are uncertain of the type of fabric with which you are dealing, try contacting the manufacturer of product for more in-depth information about the fabric.

3. Carefully blot the stain with very warm water and a paper towel or clean cotton cloth. Be cautious not to further spread the oil or grease.

4. Use an absorbent product like cornstarch, flour, borax or talcum powder. Blot into the fabric carefully and let it sit for at least 20 minutes. Then vacuum away. If the stain remains, move on to the next step.

5. If the fabric can have water-based products used on it, then spray a stain remover that is appropriate for both the type of stain and the stained fabric. Follow the instructions on the stain remover product about how to rub it in and how long to let it sit. Work the product into the fabric with a brush (like a toothbrush). Then rinse out the fabric until all of the product is removed. If the fabric is dry clean only, then use an appropriate dry cleaning solvent, following the instructions on the product to the letter. If this step doesn't work, move on to step 6.

6. Try a grease-busting detergent on fabrics that can handle water-based products. Some of those most recommended include Dawn dish detergent, Tide Liquid and Simple Green. All are designed to break up oil and grease so that it can be rinsed away. Work the product into the fabric with a brush (like a toothbrush). Rinse thoroughly with clean, warm-to-hot water. This, unfortunately, cannot be used on fabrics that are dry clean only. If your stain falls into that category, then call a professional. If this step doesn't work, move on to the next one.

7. Try heavy-duty oil and grease busters like Mr. Clean, Pine Sol, Kaboom, Grease Lighning, Stainz Out, Professor Amos or Goo Gone (brand names) or any oven, tire or brake cleaners. Be aware, however, that these heavy-duty products could bleach, discolor or damage the fabric you are trying to clean. Work the product into the fabric with a brush (like a toothbrush). Rinse thoroughly with clean, warm-to-hot water. At this point, you may want to look for alternatives to getting rid of the stain, like covering it or learning to live with it.

8. If the stain still remains and you are not willing to live with it and cannot cover it up, then call a professional cleaner to do the job. Be aware, however, that he may be no more lucky in removing the stain than you are.

Tips & Warnings

• Always check fabrics to make sure they are colorfast before using any kind of product on them.

• Always rinse the fabric thoroughly no matter what type of product you use.

• Never rub the oil or grease further into the fabric.

• Do not use heavy dry-cleaning products on delicate fabrics.