How to Get Grease Out of Towels

Keep your towels in good condition by removing grease stains as soon as possible.

After you use a towel to clean up grease, you may instinctively put it into the washing machine without treating it first. You need to treat the grease stains immediately before you wash them to protect your towels from the stains. Cooking, automotive and lubricating grease can discolor the towels, and the oil can leave an unpleasant smell.

Things You'll Need

• Cornstarch
• Toothbrush or soft-bristled brush
• Laundry pretreatment
• Washcloth
• White vinegar
• Laundry detergent

Instructions

1. Sprinkle cornstarch over the grease on the towels. Allow the cornstarch to sit for five minutes to absorb the grease.

2. Brush the cornstarch off the grease stains with an old toothbrush or a soft-bristled brush into a trash can.

3. Apply a laundry pretreatment to the stain. Blot the stain with a washcloth to work the pretreatment into the grease stain. Follow the instructions on the product to determine how long to allow it to sit on the stain.

4. Place the towels into the washing machine.

5. Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the laundry machine in addition to your regular detergent. This will remove any lingering odors from the towels.

6. Launder the towels according to their care labels. Hang them to dry because the dryer will cause any stains that you did not remove to become permanent. If you still notice the stains, repeat the stain-removal process.

Tips & Warnings

• Always test a cleaning solution in a small, inconspicuous area to ensure that it does not damage the fabric.

References

• Good Housekeeping: Motor Oil Stain Removal
• Versatile Vinegar: Uses and Tips: Laundry
• Mrs. Clean USA: Grease Stain Removal
• Reader's Digest: 9 Ways to Remove Grease Stains