Grease stains and spills can be a real headache. Because water doesn't attach to grease, it is impossible to clean up messes with ordinary cleaners and only water. While there are certainly a number of grease cleaners on the market, grease spills seem to happen at the most inconvenient times. If you are caught without any supplies, what can you do and which ones really work?
Here are some simple tips for cleaning up grease spills on a variety of surfaces. Next time grease threatens to damage something in your home, you'll know exactly what to do.
Immediate SpillsIf you are able to catch a grease spill as soon as it occurs, use the simple solution of sprinkling a bit of flour over it. According to
How Stuff Works, the flour will absorb the grease as long as it is still in liquid form. Then you can quickly wipe it away without the worry of a bigger mess.
StovetopGrease on a stovetop is a given, but don't settle for stains. Instead, use absorbents such as baking soda or cornstarch to sop up the grease and then apply a bit of vinegar to clean the rest away.
MicrowaveMicrowaves definitely see their fair share of grease and spills.
Reader's Digest says that you should use the heat and steam that results from cooking in a microwave to your advantage. Combine one part water with one part vinegar and cook it in the microwave until it starts to boil. The steam will break loose the grime, and you can easily wipe it away.
Wood SurfacesGrease seems to cling for dear life to wood surfaces. Cabinets are especially easy targets that can get pretty dingy over time. If you are looking for the perfect cleaning product for your wood surfaces,
The Kitchn recommends Murphy's Oil, which has been around for 100 years and, in a test on wood cabinets, cut through the grease much better than alternative cleaners.
Floors and LaminatesHow Stuff Works indicates that dish soap is a simple yet effective solution for a number of grease stains, especially on hard surfaces. Simply mix water and dish soap and scrub it away in minutes.
Set-In Stains on ClothesNothing can ruin clothing faster than a grease stain. However, there is a way to get that tell-tale grease spot out of your clothing.
How Stuff Works explains that dabbing a bit of dish soap on the impacted area will remove the stain. Dish soap is designed to tackle grease. Allowing it to set on your clothes for a few minutes before running them through the washing machine will make sure that grease spot is gone for good.
Carpets and FurnitureGrease doesn't have to mean the end for your carpets or furniture, but because you can't throw them in the wash, you'll need a special dry-cleaning solvent for the cleanup job.
Good Housekeeping suggests first using baking soda, cornstarch or another form of absorbent to soak up as much of the grease as possible. Blot up the stain and apply the solvent as directed. Repeat as necessary until the stain disappears.
