Stubborn grease stains on furniture and upholstery? Try these methods to remove them

While cooking and enjoying meals at the table or on the couch during a movie, surfaces are prone to picking up stains. Grease stains are particularly difficult to deal with and it's crucial to take preventive measures (and deal with stains immediately).

While a variety of commercial products are designed for degreasing and eliminating grease spills and stains, there are equally effective natural remedies that can be made, using common household items.

How to remove grease stains from furniture

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While cooking, it's normal for the stove to get dirty, and over time, cabinets may pick up a thin film of grease. This causes the cabinets to feel sticky and give off stale odors. But there are remedies to deal with this and here are a few:

• Baking soda and vinegar: Prepare a mixture of these two products in equal parts. Mix well and apply the compound to the grease stain. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes, then remove it with a soft cloth and fresh water. If you're not satisfied, you can try again for better results.

• Lemon: Lemon also has excellent degreasing properties, but be careful about how you use it because the acidity it contains could cause damage to surfaces such as marble or glossy countertops. In these cases, it's better to opt for alternative methods. It's advisable to dilute lemon juice with water and perform an initial cleaning test on a hidden spot on the affected surface. Once you confirm there are no problems, you can proceed to spray on the mixture and clean with a soft cloth to remove the grease build-up.

• Coffee grounds: Not everyone knows this, but coffee grounds also have excellent dirt-fighting properties. The granularity of the grounds, alone or in combination with water and soap, can yield great results. After enjoying your hot beverage, you can use the used coffee grounds to treat grease stains, or you can create a mixture with water to apply with a cloth to the affected area. Afterwards, remove any residue with a clean sponge and dry thoroughly.

• Marseille soap: Gentle and non-aggressive, Marseille soap is suitable for all types of surfaces and excellent for treating grease stains. Simply dissolve 50 grams of Marseille soap in half a liter of water, dip a cloth into the solution, wring it out, and start cleaning the surfaces. The result will surprise you.

How to remove grease from upholstery

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Grease stains can affect not only the surfaces in the kitchen where we prepare our meals but also the dining table and sofa and carpets (especially if we enjoy eating our meals in front of the TV). What if a grease stain gets on the upholstery? In this case, too, there are various methods to deal with this, depending on the fabric.

• Talcum powder and baking soda: If the stain is still wet, and there's a need to absorb excess liquid, you can sprinkle talcum powder or baking soda on the surface. Both have specific functions such as combating the unpleasant odor caused by the spilled liquid and absorbing the excess, preventing the fabric from becoming completely saturated.

• Dish detergent: If the fabric can be treated with water - as will indicated by the label - you can moisten a cloth in a mixture of water and dish detergent and pass it over the stain. This way, you can quickly remove the grease before it sets. To prevent the underlying fabrics from getting wet, place a dry cloth or a sheet of paper under the stain to absorb the excess mixture.

• White vinegar: This product can also be useful for treating grease stains that are not too "deep" and not too extensive. Mix it in equal parts with water, soak a sponge, wring it out, and start cleaning the area. After treating it, proceed with drying to avoid leaving any residue or water stains.

Be prepared before proceeding

Grease stains are amongst the most challenging to remove, but the key is to act promptly.

Additionally, we recommend conducting a test in less visible areas of the item to be treated to ensure it will not be damaged by the method used. For fabrics, in particular, always check the label for care instructions.