Grease stains are stains that can have some lastingness to them. Without proper care and a good stain removal technique, a greasy spot can cling to clothing no matter how many washes you put it through, but that's no reason to throw your clothes away. Grease spots can be removed, it just takes some effort, and a little bit of reading to get the know-how. Take a look at our oil stain removal tips, and you may even pick up a few other ideas for clothes stains along the way, too!
Grease Stains
The Vanish Method
A good soak with Vanish Gold Oxi Action Gel can make all the difference, and bring the stain right out.
- To get rid of oil stains, mix 60ml of gel in four liters of warm water.
- Soak the item of clothing for up to one hour (if coloured) or six hours (if white).
- Then, place your clothes in the washing machine with a 60ml dose of the gel, and wash as usual with your normal detergent.
Some other Ideas
It's important to know that oil stains, once set in, are harder to remove than if you were to clean them off immediately. We recommend dabbing the stain away with a paper cloth or towel. This should draw off much of the stain, and should prevent it spreading further.
Water doesn't treat grease. Since oils themselves are hydrophobic, water doesn't break them down. While drawing away the stain helps stem the spread, adding water will enlarge the size of the stain, making it more pronounced. So make sure you keep water off, unless you are soaking with some Vanish.
Anti-Clothes Stains Tips
For most kinds of grease stains, wearing a smock, apron or other protective item of clothing can help protect you from the stains you might be on the end of. In the kitchen an apron is an essential item of clothing, from frying eggs to making salads, anything that cooks or utilizes oils or greases should mean another layer in order to protect your clothes. If you wear glasses you may have noticed small grease specks from frying, and then imagine that same accumulation on your clothing, and skin. A good wash with soap (and, for clothing, Vanish) could take care of these, but it's still important to cover up to stop preventable stains in their tracks.