How to Remove Grease Stains from Carpet

Grease is a thick, oil-like structure that comes from soft or melted animal fat.

If you are among those who love bikes, cars and other motor vehicles, you have probably had grease on your shirt, trousers and sometimes even your carpet.

And as you know, grease stains are quite stubborn!

Sticky and viscous, you probably want to get rid of them as soon as possible. So, here is an effective do-it-yourself guide to help you remove the sticky greasy stains from carpet.

Method 1: Using Baking Soda and Dish Soap

Things you’ll need:

• Baking soda
• Dish soap
• Vacuum cleaner
• Cotton cloth
• Dull knife
• Toothbrush
• Water
• Spray bottle

Step 1. Scrape away excess grease

Using a dull knife, scrape away as much of the excess grease as possible.

Scraping off the excess helps minimize the size of the stain you have to deal with.

Step 2. Sprinkle baking soda over the stain

Sprinkle some baking soda evenly over the stain and allow it to sit for 1 hour. This will absorb as much oil as possible from the stain.

Baking soda acts as an absorbent to soak up moisture from the grease stain.

Step 3. Vacuum

• Run a vacuum cleaner over the stain to suck all the baking soda out of the fabric.
• Vacuum thoroughly to remove every last bit of powder.

Step 4. Squirt and work in the dish soap

• Apply a small amount of dish soap to the area.
• Spread it evenly over the stain using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Scrub the area and work the soap into the fibers of the carpet.

Make sure you use as little soap as possible. The more you use, the longer the cleaning process takes.

Step 5: Rinse with water

• Spray a small amount of water on the area and blot it up using a clean cloth.
• Repeat until all the soap is completely removed from the carpet.

Method 2: Using Dish Soap and Vinegar

Things you’ll need:

• Dish soap
• Vinegar
• Dull knife
• Toothbrush
• Paper towels
• Water
• Spray bottle

Step 1. Scrape off excess grease

Using a dull knife, scrape off as much grease as possible.

Step 2. Pour vinegar over the stain

• Pour a generous amount of vinegar over the stain.
• Use paper towels to blot up as much of the stain as possible.
• Keep blotting until the paper towel comes up clean.

Step 3. Wash and rinse

• Pour some dish soap over the stain and gently rub using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brushing breaks up the stain and removes any leftover traces of grease.
• Once you are satisfied that the stain is removed, rinse off the carpet using water and then pat dry.

Method 3: Using Rubbing Alcohol

Things you’ll need:

• Rubbing alcohol
• Dull knife
• Paper towels

Step 1. Scrape off excess grease

With a dull knife, scrape away all the excess or as much grease as possible from the stain.

Step 2. Pour rubbing alcohol over the stain and blot it up

• Pour a generous amount of rubbing alcohol over the stain and blot it up with paper towels.
• Keep blotting until your paper towel comes up clean and there is no more residue on the carpet.

Rubbing alcohol is a solvent and dissolves the oil in the stain, thus separating it from the carpet fibers.

Additional Tips

• The sooner you deal with a stain, the easier it is to remove it successfully.
• Nail polish thinner and lighter fluid are also effective cleaning solutions that can be used as alternatives for synthetic carpets.
• To keep the stain from setting, always use cold water for rinsing.
• Do not allow rubbing alcohol to soak into the carpet. It will destroy the bond and fibers holding the carpet together.
• Do not use two cleaning solutions at one time. Always rinse out one solution before trying the other.
• Do not use bleach or ammonia on wool carpets. It damages the delicate fibers in the carpet.
• Oriental rugs demand careful cleaning. So if your rug is an antique, silk or part silk, call for professional help.
• In lack of time, you can use a ‘spot shot’ cleaner that is readily available in the market and is specifically formulated for such stubborn stains. However, make sure you follow the instructions on the product label.