Removing A Grease Stain From Polyester Or Silk

By  Kimbry Parker

Things Needed

  • Table salt

  • Paper towels

  • Laundry stain-removal product

  • Liquid laundry detergent

  • Polyester

  • White cloth

  • Seltzer water

  • Silk cleaner

Tip

Check the label on your clothing for specific washing instructions. If the garment is labeled "Dry Clean Only," seek the help of a professional for removing the stain.

Warning

Never put grease-stained clothing in the dryer until you are sure all of the grease is gone. The dryer's heat sets in the stain, making it much more difficult to remove. Avoid using laundry products that contain enzymes when cleaning silk, as these can damage the fabric.

...

Finding a grease stain on your polyester or silk clothing is unsettling. Whether the grease is from engine oil or cooking oil, polyester is a bit more durable and can handle more aggressive cleaning than delicate silk clothing. Whichever type of fabric you are dealing with, it is important to tackle the grease stain at first sight and to use the right products and techniques to remove the grease without compromising the integrity of the fabric.

Polyester

Step 1

Apply table salt onto the grease spot. Rub it in gently with your fingers. Leave it on the garment for about an hour to absorb the grease, then shake it out.

Step 2

Put the clothing facedown on a stack of paper towels. Saturate the back side of the stain with a laundry stain-removal product.

Step 3

Blot the back side of the stain with clean paper towels until the grease is gone. Change out the stack of paper towels underneath the stain as they become soiled.

Step 4

Allow the garment to air-dry. Rinse it under cool water.

Step 5

Drizzle liquid detergent on the front side of the stains and rub it in gently with your fingers. Wash the garment with laundry detergent, using the hottest water recommended on the care label.

Silk

Step 1

Apply table salt onto the grease spot. Rub it in gently with your fingers. Leave it on the garment for about an hour to absorb the grease, then shake it out.

Step 2

Moisten a clean white cloth with seltzer water. Dab the seltzer onto the spot to remove as much of the grease as possible.

Step 3

Allow the garment to air-dry. Put the stained part of the silk facedown on a stack of paper towels. Apply a silk cleaner or laundry pretreatment product to the back side of the stain.

Step 4

Blot the area with paper towels until the grease is gone. Allow the garment to air-dry, then rinse the spot under cool water.

Step 5

Wash the garment in lukewarm water with gentle laundry detergent. Refer to the label on the clothing for instructions on whether to hand- or machine-wash the garment.

References

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