A grease stain can appear anywhere: at the dinner table, by the cooker, next to the barbecue or in the garage. Some disappear after the first wash, others cling to a favourite shirt until it ends up as a rag.
There is no need to throw it away yet. Below are several home methods, from the gentlest to the strongest. Choose according to the fabric and how long the stain has been there.
What you will need
Important: Do not iron or tumble dry the garment until the stain has gone: heat sets grease in the fibres. Test any product on a hidden area of the fabric first.
Step 1
Blot the fresh grease
Take the garment off and put a paper towel under the stain. Blot the grease from above with another towel without rubbing it in. The more grease you remove now, the easier the next steps will be.
Step 2
Cover the stain with starch
Potato starch suits almost every fabric, even wool and silk. Cover the stain completely and leave it for 10-20 minutes.
Then brush the starch off with a soft brush or sponge, rinse the area in warm water and check the result. For delicate items this is often enough.
Step 3
Treat with washing-up liquid
For a fresh stain on cotton or synthetics, apply a few drops of washing-up liquid and leave it for 5 minutes. Choose a clear or pale product so it does not tint the fabric.
Rinse under cool running water: the liquid lifts the grease and the water carries it away.
Step 4
Dissolve an old stain with WD-40
If the stain has dried or survived a wash, spray WD-40 Multi-Use onto it and leave for a few minutes. For a small stain, WD-40 Smart Straw is more convenient thanks to its precise jet.
The product gets under the old grease and softens it. Then apply washing-up liquid, scrub both sides of the fabric with the toothbrush and rinse with warm water.
Step 5
Finish with toothpaste
A small faint outline on light fabric can be removed with white toothpaste. Apply a thin layer, brush gently, let it dry a little and rinse off.
Step 6
Wash the garment
Machine wash at the highest temperature the care label allows. Check that the stain has gone before drying and, if needed, repeat the WD-40 and washing-up liquid step.
Tip: Do not clean work clothes stained with lubricant or technical grease using flammable solvents at home. It is safer to use WD-40 in a well-ventilated room and wash the garment straight afterwards.
What next
Fresh stains come out at the first attempt; older ones sometimes need two rounds. Keep WD-40 Multi-Use to hand: it also removes greasy marks from kitchen surfaces, hobs and cooker hoods.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».