How to Get Grease Out of Jeans

Co-authored by Robert Shapiro

Last Updated: October 16, 2023 References

Whether you ride your bike or work on your car while wearing your favorite jeans, getting a big, ugly, black grease stain is possible. But don’t worry! There are several ways to effectively remove grease from your jeans. Try something as basic as letting soap soak into the stain, or try a more creative solution, like canned cheese. If you have a few common things, including sparkling water and coarse salt, you can get grease out of your white jeans, too.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing Grease with Soap

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If you let the grease soak into your jeans or wash and/or dry your jeans just after you’ve gotten grease on them, removing the grease may become more challenging. To avoid letting the grease stain “set,” start removing it as soon as possible.^{[1]
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Fold a paper towel and dab at the grease so that the paper towel soaks up any excess grease sitting on the surface of your jeans.^{[2]
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Robert Shapiro
Laundry Specialist

Expert Interview. 24 August 2021.} Removing what hasn’t soaked in can make the whole removal process easier.^{[3]
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Hot water works best for removing the oil from the stain. Run hot water in the sink or bathtub and hold your jeans underneath the water until the areas that are covered in grease are completely wet.^{[4]
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Scrub dish soap into the grease.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Robert Shapiro
Laundry Specialist

Expert Interview. 24 August 2021.} Squirt some dish soap onto the grease stains. Then, gently scrub it with a toothbrush for 2-3 minutes or until the grease appears to be gone.^{[6]
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- If you don’t have dish soap, instead try using shampoo or laundry soap.
^{[7]
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Expert Source

Robert Shapiro
Laundry Specialist

Expert Interview. 24 August 2021.} Turn the sink or bathtub faucet back on and rinse the stained areas with hot water. Then, hang them out to dry on a clothesline or drying rack.^{[8]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Alternative Substances

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While these products are more commonly known as floor and furniture cleaners, they also work well as degreasers. Dab the grease stain with a cloth soaked in either Pine Sol or Lestoil and then throw your jeans into the washing machine. Hang them out to dry on a clothesline or drying rack once the cycle is done.^{[9]
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This is a good solution to try whether the grease stain is new or old. Lay your jeans on a flat surface and sprinkle cornstarch onto the grease stain until it’s completely covered. Then let it sit for at least an hour. Once the time is up, brush off the cornstarch with your hand and remove any residual powder with a damp sponge.^{[10]
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Spray WD-40 directly onto the grease and let it sit for 15-30 minutes. Then gently rub a small squirt of dish or laundry soap onto the affected area. Let the jeans sit for another 15-30 minutes, wash them in the washing machine, and let them air dry.^{[11]
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Try using mechanic soap if you work on cars. Mechanic soap is made specifically to clean up oil and grease. Apply the soap to the grease spots on your jeans and let it sit for 15-30 minutes. Then wash your jeans by themselves or with dirty rags in the washing machine.^{[12]
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- Mechanic soap usually has a strong odor. Don’t throw your other clothes into the washing machine with your jeans, or else all of them may smell like the mechanic soap.
Spray hairspray onto the grease-covered areas for several seconds or spray on canned cheese and smear it in. Then, wash your jeans in the washing machine and air dry them. Hairspray and canned cheese will both have an immediate effect on the stains, so there’s no need to let them sit for an extended period of time before washing.^{[13]
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6
Get the grease out with Coca-Cola for a homemade solution. Pour some coke onto the grease stains and then let it soak in for 1-2 hours. Once the time is up, wash your jeans in the washing machine and hang them up to dry.^{[14]
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- Don’t give the coke longer than about 2 hours to soak in, or else the coke may stain your jeans.
Soak your jeans in water for several minutes. Then scrub at the stains with aloe vera gel. Wash your jeans in the washing machine and then air dry them.^{[15]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Getting Grease out of White Jeans

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Dabbing at the excess can make the removal process a little easier. Take a paper towel and dab at the grease as soon as it gets on your jeans.^{[16]
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The carbonation of sparkling water makes it more effective than flat water in removing stains. Get a bottle or can of sparkling water and pour it all over the affected area.^{[17]
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3
Sprinkle coarse salt onto the grease and rub it in. Coarse salt acts as an abrasive, which can be useful for stain removal. Sprinkle the salt onto your jeans and use a paper towel to rub the salt over the grease stains.^{[18]
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- Try using cornstarch or baking soda if you don’t have coarse salt. These may also act as abrasives that can soak up some of the grease.
Squirt a little bit of dish soap, laundry soap, or even hand soap onto the grease stains. Continue using a paper towel to rub the stained spots.^{[19]
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Wipe off as much of the salt and soap as you can with a fresh paper towel. Then rub at whatever is left of the stain with a Tide-To-Go or Clorox Bleach pen.^{[20]
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Hang your jeans on a drying rack for a few hours so that they can dry completely. They may dry faster if you hang them on a clothesline when the sun is out.^{[21]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

Can I use baking soda to get a grease stain out of jeans?

Rani Gorgis
Laundry & Cleaning Specialist
Rani Gorgis is a Laundry and Cleaning Specialist and the Owner of Park Blvd Laundry & Dry Cleaners in San Diego, California. With several years of experience in the laundry and cleaning industry, Rani specializes in dry cleaning, wash-n-fold, shirt laundry, and servicing smoke-damaged clothes. He holds a BS in Accounting and a CPA certification.

Rani Gorgis

Laundry & Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

Yes! Mix baking soda with a bit of warm water and use a bristle brush to brush the mixture into the stain in a circular motion until it fades. Wash the jeans in warm water and regular laundry detergent. You can also add vinegar in the wash cycle to ensure that the stain is completely removed and that you do not have to repeat the wash cycle. Dry the jeans on a low heat dryer cycle.

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