How to Remove Grease Stains from Wood

If your home features any wood furniture or flooring that has fallen victim to grease, you may be curious about how to remove grease stains. Fortunately, grease stains can be removed from wood with a little elbow grease and some basic household tools.

Step 1 - Blot the Grease Stains

The first step in removing grease stains is to carefully blot them with a sponge, washcloth or paper towel. When performing this step, make sure to avoid applying excessive pressure or attempting to wipe the stains, as this will ultimately spread the grease. If you wish, you can lightly dampen your wiping tool of choice. This step will soak up a fair amount of grease and help make the stains smaller. In fact, if performed early enough, you may be able to completely purge the grease stains with this step alone. For exceptionally large stains, cat litter can also be a very effective tool in soaking up excess grease.

Step 2 - Apply Your White Wine Vinegar Solution

Having soaked up as much excess grease as possible, you're ready to make and apply your homemade cleaning solution. To do this, simply combine equal parts warm water and white wine vinegar, soak a washcloth or sponge in the newly formed solution and proceed to apply it to any stained areas. When performing this step, try to wipe the stains in a circular motion and avoid putting forth too much pressure. You may need to repeat this step several times before you're able to remove the grease stains entirely, so don't worry if the solution isn't instantly effective.

Once the stains have been successfully removed, use a clean sponge or washcloth to dry the freshly cleaned area. Should the grease stains prove unwavering, proceed with the next step.

Step 3 - Apply Your Dishwashing Liquid Solution

If the white wine vinegar solution was unable to remove the grease stains, there's another highly effective homemade cleaning solution you can try. Inside of an empty spray bottle, combine 1 tsp of dishwashing liquid with warm water, then seal the spray bottle and shake it until your cleaning solution takes shape. You will then need to spray the cleaning solution onto any stained areas and allow it to sit for about 5 minutes. Then, once the solution has had ample time to set in, proceed to wipe the stains in a circular motion with a sponge or washcloth. Just like the white wine vinegar solution, you will most likely need to reapply this cleaning solution several times before you're able to completely remove the grease stains. Each time the solution is reapplied, remember to let it sit for the previously specified amount of time.

After successfully removing the grease stains, use a sponge, washcloth or paper towel to dry the stain-free wood surface. A professional wood cleaner should be called in if the stains are still present.