How to Remove Grease Stains from Carpet

Grease stains on your carpet can be caused due to various reasons. Your husband may walk in the house from the garage without wiping his shoes on the mat outside first, or your child may drop butter or margarine on the carpet. Although clothes with grease stains can be tossed in the washing machine, you cannot do the same with your carpet. Grease tends to cling to the carpet surface; rubbing it with a clean towel will only make the stain larger.

Remember, if the grease stain is left on the carpet for too long, it acts stubborn and becomes even harder to remove. Hence, choose one of the methods outlined below, grab the specified ingredients, and work on the grease stain immediately. Always read the label of the carpet for any specific directions regarding which ingredient to use and not to use. Also, do a spot test of the cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area of the carpet. If the solution damages the carpet in any way, do not proceed with it. Before you start cleaning the grease stain on the carpet, scoop up or scrape away any excess grease that is present on the surface. Do so very gently using either a butter knife or a spoon. This does not involve rubbing the stain as that will cause it to spread. Now, move forward in one of the following ways.

Method One

Things that you will require:

·      Cornstarch or baking soda

·      Vacuum cleaner

·      Grease-cutting liquid dish soap

·      Clean, white cloths

·      Water

Steps that you will need to take:

1.   Firstly, grab your regular box of cornstarch or baking soda. Take a hand full of either cornstarch or baking soda, and sprinkle a thick layer over the Grease stain.

2.   Leave this layer in place for the night. The cornstarch or baking soda will soak up the grease from the carpet.

3.   The next morning, vacuum the stained area.

4.   Now, take grease-cutting liquid dish soap, pour a few drops on to a clean white cloth, and apply it to the stained area.

5.   Leave the stained area soaked in soap for 15 to 20 minutes.

6.   Dampen a clean cloth in water, and wipe the soap off the carpet. Do not use too much water.

7.   Let the area dry completely. Vacuum it once dry. Your Carpet will be free of Grease Stains for sure.

Method Two

Things that you will require:

·      White vinegar

·      Spray bottle

·      Water

·      Clean, white cloths or paper towels

·      A heavy object (For example, ceramic plate)

·      Vacuum cleaner

Steps that you will need to take:

1.   The first step involves the preparation of the cleaning solvent. To do so, pour 1 part white vinegar to a spray bottle. Add 2 parts cold water to the bottle, and shake well so that both the ingredients mix completely.

2.   Spray a generous amount of the cleaning solution on the stained area.

3.   Next, grab a clean, white cloth or paper towels, and start blotting the stained area. Make sure you do not spread the stain.

4.   Keep blotting and spraying till no more stain is visible. You may need to change the cloth or grab new paper towels if the stain is large.

5.   Now, rinse the stained area well with plain water. Your Carpet will be free of Grease Stains.

6.   Follow up the earlier step by blotting the stained area with a clean towel so that no solution is remaining on the carpet.

7.   To ensure that no solution is absorbed in the fibers of the carpet, cover the stain with paper towels, and place a heavy object on top of them.

8.   Leave the paper towels and object in place for a few hours.

9.   Once you remove them, let the area dry completely.

10.   Vacuum the stained area so that the carpet fluffs up again.

Tip: This method is recommended for oriental carpets.

Method Three

Things that you will require:

·      Talcum powder

·      Vacuum cleaner

·      Grease-cutting liquid dish soap

·      Clean cloths

·      Water

Steps that you will need to take:

1.   Did you think talcum powder was useful only for your babies’ bottom? One of the many uses of talcum powder also includes the powder being an agent of grease stain removal from carpets.  Grab your regular bottle of talcum powder, and sprinkle a thick layer on the stained area.

2.   Leave the thick layer of talcum powder in place for approximately 6 hours or overnight. The powder will absorb the grease from the carpet.

3.   After a few hours or the next morning, vacuum the stained area. The stain should have disappeared.

4.   If you are still not happy with the look of your carpet, apply grease-cutting liquid dish soap on a clean cloth, and blot the stained area with it.

5.   Leave the dish soap in place for 15 to minutes.

6.   Soak another clean cloth in water, and wipe away the soap from the carpet. Do not saturate the carpet in water completely as that may cause further problems. Your Carpet will be free of Grease Stains

7.   Let the area dry completely. Vacuuming it after that will return the texture of the carpet.