Day 16

Get a Grease Stain Out of Your Clothes

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Grease stains are different from every other clothing mishap. They don’t announce themselves right away. They darken slowly, spread quietly and often look harmless until the fabric dries, at which point they’ve already bonded with it.

It might be cooking oil from dinner. A drip of dressing at lunch. A little too much grooming product that transfers to a collar. However it happens, untreated grease doesn’t fade with time. Heat sets it. Dryers make it permanent. And once that happens, even a perfectly good garment is effectively done.

The good news is grease stains are absolutely fixable—if you act correctly. After talking to people who do this for a living, we tested many different methods, one way stands out as the most reliable. It’s simple, cheap and uses things you probably already have: baking soda and dish soap.

Act Fast, But Don’t Panic

The first mistake most men make is rushing the wrong solution. Water alone won’t remove grease. And throwing the garment straight into the wash—especially warm—can lock the stain in for good. The goal is to absorb and dissolve the oil before heat ever touches it. If the stain is fresh, blot gently with a paper towel to remove excess oil. Don’t rub. That just pushes grease deeper into the fibers.

Let Baking Soda Do the Heavy Lifting

Baking soda is the key because it absorbs oil rather than spreading it. Cover the stain completely with a generous layer of baking soda and let it sit. As it pulls grease from the fabric, you’ll see it darken or clump. When that happens, scrape it off gently and reapply fresh baking soda. Repeat this process until the baking soda stops changing color. This can take an hour or two for heavier stains—and patience here matters.

Follow With Dish Soap, Not Laundry Detergent

Once the baking soda has done its job, it’s time to dissolve what’s left. Drizzle a small amount of plain dish soap directly onto the stain and work it into a paste with your fingers or a soft brush. Dish soap is designed to break down oils, which is exactly what you need at this stage. Rub thoroughly, making sure the soap penetrates the fabric. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing.

Wash Hot, Within Reason

After treatment, launder the garment on the hottest setting the fabric can safely handle. Always check the care label. Cotton and durable blends can usually take higher heat; delicate fabrics need restraint. Use regular detergent, but don’t add fabric softener, it can interfere with stain removal.

Hang Dry and Inspect Carefully

This step is non-negotiable. Do not put the garment in the dryer until you’re certain the stain is gone. Heat will set any remaining grease permanently. Hang dry instead, then inspect the area in natural light. If the stain is still faintly visible, repeat the entire process once more. Most grease stains surrender on the second pass if you haven’t used the dryer yet. This is the difference between saving a garment and losing it.

A Not-So-Secret Weapon

If you’ve got a large, dark or particularly oily stain, then you’ll need to reach for the big guns. Use Shout’s Advanced Grease-Busting Foam as a spot treatment before laundering the garment in hot water. It utilizes three powerful stain removing ingredients specifically formulated to dissolve grease and oil stains. And if you want to be safe, sprinkle that baking soda on before you hit it with the Shout.