No matter how careful you are, grease stains seem to happen. When we first notice greasy stains, we tend to think the worst; we assume it’s impossible to remove grease stain from pants. Oily stains don’t have to ruin your favorite pants, though; you just need to learn how to get grease out of pants.
We are here to share with you just how easy getting grease out of pants is. Greasy stains can appear in the form of a cooking oil stain, melted cheese oozing out of sandwiches, or from working in the garage.
No matter how the stains appear, there is no reason to fret as they can just as quickly disappear. You might view grease stains as a nightmare, but if you take care of them as soon as you see them, the easier they are to deal with.
Effective Ways to Remove Grease Stains from Pants
Grease stains are easier to remove than other types of stains, as washing up liquid effectively breaks down the oily substance left behind on your pants. Our recipes also show you the way to get grease smell out as well as the stain so that your clothing is just as good as new.
Removing Grease from Pants with Dishwashing Soap
Using dishwashing detergent is one of the best ways to remove an olive oil stain as the dish detergent is made to absorb grease directly. The dishwashing liquid also works to remove grease stains quickly, as you already have it on hand in the kitchen where many of them occur.
Before you try to treat any grease stain with dish soap, read the care tag for pertinent information about the item. Dish soap is safe to use on a variety of everyday fabrics, including denim, canvas, and cotton t-shirts. Here is a quick tip – never use this stain removal method for items that say “wash in cold water only” or “dry clean only.”
Avoid using dish soap on delicate fabrics, like silk, leather, suede, etc., too. Using paper towels, soak up as much grease as possible. Do not rub the oil, dab at it to prevent the stain from spreading across your pants.
Rubbing also forces the stain deeper into the fibers, making it harder to remove. It is recommended to use colorless dish soap, but many have found Dawn works the best with its grease-fighting capabilities. Squirt dish soap liberally onto the grease spot and rub with an old toothbrush or your fingers to work the detergent into the stain.
You do not need to apply a lot of pressure, and it’s best to use circular motions for the optimal results. Allow the dish soap to sit for 30 minutes and rinse thoroughly with warm water. Rub gently at the stain while cleaning to help rinse away any grease found on the surface.
Dish soap is also appropriate for removing other types of stains, as well. Get grass stains out of pants and chocolate stains, too. Always try dish soap before moving on to harsher methods of cleaning.
Toss your pants into the washing machine and use the recommended water temperature to launder your clothes as usual. Once the wash cycle is complete, check your pants for any traces of the grease stain.
If no stain is left, dry in the dryer as you normally would. If even a small amount of stain remains, repeat the process all over again, starting with the dish soap. Continue this pattern until the stain disappears.
Not only is grease-fighting dish soap appropriate for getting stains out of clothes, but you can also use it for removing grease from carpets. Follow the directions above to get rid of that unfortunate oil stain from your favorite food that dripped from your plate.
How to Get Grease Out of Pants with Liquid Laundry Detergent
For getting old grease out of clothes, you can use your regular laundry soap. Using laundry detergent to remove grease stains works similar to the dish soap method. Rub the liquid detergent directly onto the stain, allow it to sit for several minutes, and then wash using the hottest water acceptable based on the care label on the garment.
You can use store-bought detergent or use your own homemade laundry soap to tackle the stain. Powdered laundry soap also works; you just need to mix it with some water first.
If the stain hasn’t vanished after washing, repeat the stain removal process, or try a different method before drying. This remedy is also useful to remove rust from fabric.
Getting Grease Out of Pants Made from Delicate Fabrics
Grease or oil stains don’t just happen on your everyday materials; they can also strike when you are wearing your Sunday best. Washing clothes made from delicate fabrics requires a different process than ordinary fabrics, so grease stain removal methods will also vary.
Before you do anything, blot up as much grease or oil as possible with a paper towel. You can also use napkins, tissues, or an old rag, but make sure whatever you are using is clean. The following step is best for delicate fabrics like suede and silk but does well with dry clean only items, too.
Sprinkle the grease stain with baby or talcum powder, so the entire area is covered. If you don’t have baby or talcum powder on hand, you can also use cornstarch, baking powder, or baking soda, as all of these powders offer excellent absorbing ability. Leave the powder to sit on the stain overnight or for at least several hours.
Use a soft toothbrush and brush the powder away from the stain briskly. Your other option is to take the pants outside and shake the powder off. Look carefully at the area to see if the stain is gone.
If the stain has disappeared, wash clothes as usual in the washing machine. If the stain is still present, begin the process over again.
For dry clean only items, if the stain is still present, bring the items in to the dry cleaners to have them professionally cleaned. If your pants are suede, you can try using cornstarch and vinegar for your second attempt at removing the stain.
Pour the cornstarch and allow it to sit for a minimum of 30 minutes. Brush off with a suede brush. Pour white vinegar onto a clean, soft cloth and gently rub the spot until gone. Allow to air dry and buff with a lint brush.
How to Remove Tough Grease Stains
Sometimes traditional stain removal methods don’t work at removing grease. For tougher stains, you have a few different options you can try, but again, avoid using these methods on delicate fabrics. Silk and leather should be taken in for professional dry cleaning.
Rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball work well to remove smaller sized stains and is the best way to get ink out of pants or other clothes. Soak a cotton swab or ball in rubbing alcohol and then blot at the stain until thoroughly wet. Allow the alcohol to soak for five minutes and then rinse with hot water.
Allow the item to air-dry. If the stain is still present, try using acetone rather than rubbing alcohol. Once the stain is gone, wash as usual. Acetone is also how to get paint out of jeans.
For really tough oily stains, you can try using hairspray or WD-40, both of which also get stains out of leather. Spray the spot liberally with either product and allow it to sit for 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with hot water and then wash as usual.
Do not place in the dryer until the stain is 100% gone. If the stain hasn’t disappeared, repeat this process or use a different technique.
Thank you for reading all about removing grease from pants. If you found any of our stain removal tips helpful, please take a minute to share these cleaning tips with others on Facebook and Pinterest so they can learn how to get grease out of pants, too.