How to Get Grease Stains Out of Fabric

Don't panic if you spill grease on your clothes or the couch. Start tackling it instead. Learn how to get grease stains out of fabric with this how-to video.

You Will Need

• Salt, baking soda, cornstarch, or talcum powder
• A gentle brush, like a pastry brush
• Colorless dishwashing liquid
• Hot water
• Laundry prewash detergent

Step 1: Dry It Out

Sprinkle the stain with salt, baking soda, cornstarch, or talcum powder. Let it stand for 30 minutes, and then brush it away with something gentle, like a pastry brush. Repeat until as much grease as possible has been absorbed.

Step 2: Pretreat It

Gently rub colorless dishwashing liquid into the stain and let it stand for a few minutes.

Step 3: Soak It

Soak the item in hot water for 30 minutes.

Step 4: Rinse It

Flip the item over and run hot water through the back of the stain until it is thoroughly rinsed. If the stain is gone, launder as usual.

Step 5: Make a Paste

If there's still some stain, apply a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water. Let it dry, then brush it off.

Step 6: Pretreat Again

Dab on some laundry prewash detergent and let it stand for 10 minutes.

Step 7: Wash It

Toss it in the machine and wash it with hot water. Tip: For really stubborn stains, replace half the laundry detergent with baking soda.

Step 8: Repeat as Needed

If you can still see the stain, repeat the entire process.

Fact: The price paid for used french-fry grease -- which can be converted to biodiesel fuel -- tripled from 2005 to 2008.