Cut grease stains with liquid dish soap

Apply a drop of liquid dish soap (Dawn or similar) directly onto the grease stain. Gently work it into the fabric with your fingers, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with warm water and wash as usual.

Why It Works

Dish soap is a powerful surfactant specifically designed to dissolve grease and oils — the same reason it works on greasy pans. The surfactant molecules have a water-loving head and an oil-loving tail that surround oil droplets and lift them away from fabric fibers.

Tips

• Use clear or plain dish soap to avoid color stains from dyed formulas
• For old, set-in grease stains, apply dish soap and let it sit for an hour before washing
• Warm water helps dissolve grease more effectively than cold
• Check the stain before drying — if it persists, repeat the treatment before heat sets it