Grease stains can make clothing and home furnishings look worse from use, but what can you use to remove them?
Baking soda has many uses around the house and is best appreciated for its grease-removing properties on both dirty pans and dirty surfaces, but how well does it work on different fabrics? These are the three tricks to fight fat that you should know.
Does baking soda remove grease stains?
Baking soda is a staple in most kitchen pantries and is one of the most effective natural cleaning agents to use around the home.
This simple white powder can be sprinkled on carpets to eliminate odors, or mixed into a thick paste to clean stubborn grime from a variety of surfaces, but it doesn’t end there.
The mineral structure of each particle of baking soda is what makes this product so effective at dissolving organic compounds – the perfect remedy for grease-stained fabrics.
Whether your grease stains are fresh or set, a baking soda solution is the easiest way to correct them.
How to remove grease stains from fabric
Grease stains are notoriously difficult to remove due to their waxy, insoluble consistency.
Known as lipids, grease stains adhere to fabric fibers and resist many commercial cleaning agents.
The chemical compounds in baking soda are one of the most effective ingredients to use on tough stains because the lipids are soluble in solvents, degreasers, and acids.
Fresh stains are best resolved with a sprinkle of baking soda, but what else do you need to do to remove surface grease?
Fresh grease stains
Once the greasy substance has made contact with the fabric, immediately respond with a generous amount of plain baking soda.
Allow the liquid stain to be absorbed by the powder for about 10 minutes.
Scrape off excess soda and grease with a dull knife and repeat the basting process.
Lightly rub the stain with a damp cloth until the baking soda turns brown.
Scrape once more and repeat the process until the baking soda stops browning.
Wash garment as usual to reveal stain-free fabric.
How to remove grease stains from leather
Leather sofas, cushion covers, or even dining room chairs can bear the brunt of grease stains, but how do you remove them?
- Dissolving stains from leather surfaces is very simple and requires only two tools.
- Apply some baking soda to a damp cloth and apply to the affected area.
- Leave on for a few hours before dusting off with a clean cloth.
- The baking soda should soak up the oil and leave your leather furniture looking like new.
Remove grease stains
Working on older grease stains will be easier if you keep the fabric dry while treating the surface.
The water will saturate the fabric around the stain, leaving little room for you to remove the greasy liquid.
Start by applying a few drops of dish soap and let it soak for five minutes.
Add baking soda and scrub with a soft bristle dry brush and leave for another five minutes.
Rinse entire area with warm water and wash removable fabrics or clothing.
Air-dry the fabric to make sure the stain has completely dissolved.
How to remove grease stains from leather
Leather sofas, cushion covers, or even dining room chairs can bear the brunt of grease stains, but how can you remove them?
Dissolving stains from leather surfaces is very simple and requires only two tools.
Apply some baking soda to a damp cloth and apply to the affected area.
Leave on for a few hours before dusting off with a clean cloth.
The baking soda should soak up the oil and leave your leather furniture looking like new.