How to Remove Grease From Kitchen Towels

Kitchen towels pick up grease quickly. A pan splatter here, a spill there, and your towels start looking dull and feeling slick. Some stains lift easily. Others seem to stick around no matter how many times you wash them.

Grease doesn’t always come out in a regular wash cycle. The oily residue can bond to fabric fibers, especially cotton and cotton blends. But with a few adjustments to your laundry routine, most grease stains can be managed. Different methods work for different situations, and sometimes it takes a combination of approaches.

The key is treating the stain before it sets. Fresh grease responds better than dried-on buildup. That said, older stains aren’t necessarily permanent. They just may need a little more attention.

What Makes Grease Stick to Kitchen Towels

Grease is a fat-based substance. Water alone doesn’t break it down. When you toss a greasy towel into the wash without pretreating, the water and detergent may not be enough to lift the oil. The stain can spread or set deeper into the fabric during the wash cycle.

Heat can also work against you. High dryer temperatures may set grease stains permanently. That’s why checking towels before drying is a useful habit. If the stain is still there after washing, it’s worth treating it again before applying heat.

Fabric type matters too. Terry cloth and cotton blends absorb grease differently. Older towels with worn fibers may hold onto oil more stubbornly than newer ones.

Using Dish Soap to Remove Grease From Kitchen Towels

Dish soap is made to cut through grease on plates and pans. It can do the same for fabric. This method works well on fresh stains and light grease buildup.

Apply a small amount of liquid dish soap directly to the stain. Work it in gently with your fingers or a soft brush. Let it sit for five to ten minutes. Then rinse with warm water.

For heavier stains, you can soak the towel in a basin of warm water mixed with a tablespoon or two of dish soap. Let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes. After soaking, launder as usual. This approach can be helpful for towels that have absorbed a lot of oil at once.

Baking Soda Method to Remove Grease From Kitchen Towels

Baking soda is mildly abrasive and helps absorb oil. Vinegar can help break down residue and deodorize. Together, they make a simple pretreating option.

Sprinkle baking soda over the grease stain. Press it lightly into the fabric and let it sit for 15 minutes. Baking soda will start to draw out some of the oil. After that, spray or pour a small amount of white vinegar over the baking soda. It will fizz slightly.

Let the mixture sit for another five minutes. Then wash the towel in the hottest water the fabric allows. This combination can be useful for stains that have been sitting for a day or two.

How to Remove Grease From Kitchen Towels With Laundry Detergent

Some laundry detergents are formulated to handle grease. Brands with enzymes or degreasers may perform better on oily kitchen towels. Reading labels can help you choose one that fits the task.

Before washing, apply a small amount of liquid detergent directly to the stain. Rub it in gently. Let it sit for a few minutes. This gives the detergent time to start breaking down the grease before the wash cycle begins.

Wash the towel in hot water if the care label allows. Hot water helps loosen oil. Cold water may not be as effective on grease, though it works fine for other types of stains. Check the towel after washing and before drying. If the stain remains, repeat the process.

Removing Cooking Oil Grease From Kitchen Towels

Cooking oil and butter are thick, sticky fats. They tend to leave dark, oily spots that spread easily. These stains often need more than one treatment.

Start by blotting the stain with a paper towel to remove excess grease. Don’t rub, as that can push the oil deeper. Once you’ve blotted, treat the area with dish soap or a degreasing laundry detergent.

For stubborn cooking oil, some people use a paste made from baking soda and a few drops of water. Apply the paste to the stain and let it sit for 20 minutes. Then wash as usual. Butter stains may respond well to dish soap alone, especially if treated quickly.

Commercial Products That Remove Grease From Kitchen Towels

There are products made specifically for grease stains. These include spray-on degreasers, stain sticks, and powder boosters. Some are designed for automotive or industrial use but work on fabric too.

When using a commercial product, follow the instructions on the label. Some need to sit for a specific amount of time. Others work best when scrubbed in lightly. Always test on a small, hidden area of the towel first to check for discoloration.

These products can be helpful when home remedies aren’t cutting it. They may contain stronger surfactants or solvents that target oil-based stains more aggressively. Just keep in mind that stronger chemicals may also affect fabric color or texture over time.

How to Remove Grease From Cotton and Terry Cloth Kitchen Towels

Flour sack towels are thin and absorbent. They pick up grease easily but also release it more readily than thicker fabrics. A simple dish soap treatment often works well on these.

Terry cloth towels are thicker and have loops that trap grease. They may need a longer soak or a stronger pretreating step. Scrubbing the stain gently with a brush can help work the cleaner into the loops.

Both types benefit from air drying after pretreating. This lets you see if the stain is gone before you commit to the dryer. If the stain is still visible, you can treat it again without risk of setting it.

Preventing Grease Buildup on Kitchen Towels

Prevention can save time. Using separate towels for different tasks helps. Keep one set for drying dishes and another for handling hot pans or greasy cookware.

Hang towels to dry between uses. Damp towels left in a pile can develop odors and trap grease deeper into the fabric. A hook or towel bar near the sink works well.

Washing kitchen towels every few days can also help. Grease doesn’t build up as much when towels are cleaned regularly. Some people prefer to wash them after each heavy cooking session, especially if fried foods were involved.