How to Remove Set in Greasy Food Stains

There are two basic kinds of stains: water-based stains and oil-based stains. For best results, it's important to treat stains as soon as possible, but sometimes stains go unnoticed until the garment has already been machine-dried or ironed. The longer stains set, the more difficult they are to remove without damaging the fabric, and it may take several tries with more than one solution. To remove set-in greasy food stains, use solutions that lubricate the stain and break down the proteins that adhere to the fabric.

Things You'll Need

• Pre-treat laundry spray
• Heavy-duty laundry detergent
• Chlorine bleach
• Oxygen bleach
• Shampoo for oily hair
• Five sheets of white paper towel
• Dry-cleaning fluid
• WD40
• Dish soap

Instructions

1. 

   Laundry pre-treatment sprays work well for set-in greasy food stains.

   Spray a laundry pre-treatment stain remover on the stain until it's completely saturated and let it soak in for one minute. Rub the spot with heavy-duty laundry detergent and wash immediately according to instructions on the garment's label.

2. 

   Read clothing labels to see if bleach can be used.

   Soak stained color-safe fabric for an hour in chlorine bleach. Soak non-color-safe fabric in oxygen bleach for one hour. Launder immediately.

3. 

   Shampoo that removes excess oil from hair can remove greasy food stains from clothing.

   Rub shampoo for oily hair onto the grease stain if it's still visible. Launder immediately with heavy-duty laundry detergent.

4. 

   Dry-cleaning fluid can be used to remove grease stains.

   Layer five sheets of white paper towel on a heavy greasy food stain that won't come out using the above methods. Carefully pour dry-cleaning fluid onto the paper towel. Let it dry, rinse and then launder using heavy-duty laundry detergent.

5. 

   Dish soap and WD40 can remove set-in grease stains.

   Spray WD40 on set-in greasy food stains that still won't come out until the stain is saturated. Let it set for 20 minutes. Rub a teaspoon of dish soap into the stain and rinse well. Squirt more dish soap on the stain and launder with heavy-duty laundry detergent.

Tips & Warnings

• Pre-test stain removal solutions on a hidden part of the fabric.

• Replace chlorine bleach after six months when it stops being effective.

• Don't use colored or patterned paper towel on clothing as it can transfer dye to the fabric.

• Don't dry or iron clothing until the stain is completely removed.

References

• University of Missouri Extension: Stain Removal from Washable Fabrics
• Fort Valley State University College of Agriculture, Home Economics and Allied Programs: Removing Stains from Clothing
• Grease Stains