Grease, oil, and butter stains are some of the trickiest carpet stains to remove because water alone doesn't touch them. You need a degreasing agent to break the oil's surface tension before you can extract it from the fibres. The good news is that with the right approach, these stains are often completely removable.
Why Grease Is Different from Other Stains
Oil and water don't mix. That's why blotting a grease stain with plain water or water-based cleaners accomplishes almost nothing. You need a surfactant, which is a substance that bridges oil and water, to break the grease apart and allow it to be lifted from the fibres.
Grease stains also attract and hold onto dirt over time. An untreated grease spot will appear to get darker and larger as dust and foot traffic embed into the oily residue. This makes quick action especially important.
Water does not remove grease from carpet. You need a degreasing surfactant, like dish soap, to break the oil apart before you can blot it out.
Step-by-Step: Grease Stain Removal
Start by absorbing as much of the grease as possible. For fresh grease, sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda, cornstarch, or plain flour over the stain and press gently. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes to absorb the oil, then vacuum it up thoroughly.
Next, apply a small amount of liquid dish soap directly to the stain. Dish soap is formulated to cut through grease and works well on carpet. Work it gently into the fibres with your fingers or a soft brush, then blot with a clean damp cloth. Rinse with cold water and blot dry. Repeat until the stain is gone.
Grease stain coming back?
Carpet Hero uses professional-grade degreasing solutions and extraction equipment to remove oil stains that DIY methods can't fully clear. Serving Calgary and surrounding areas.
Book a CleaningDried or Old Grease Stains
Old grease stains that have had time to set are harder but not impossible to remove. Apply dish soap to the stain and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes to soften the hardened grease before working it in. You may need several rounds of treatment.
Dry cleaning solvent, available at hardware and grocery stores, can also be effective on older grease stains. Apply sparingly, blot, and rinse. Always test on a hidden area first to check for colour fastness.
A generous application of baking soda left on a grease stain for 20 minutes before vacuuming removes a surprising amount of oil before you even apply a cleaning solution.
What Not to Do
Do not use hot water on grease stains. Heat can set the oil further into the fibres. Avoid rubbing the stain, as this spreads the grease and works it deeper into the carpet pile. Do not apply a large amount of any liquid all at once, as overwetting the carpet can cause issues with the backing and padding underneath.
When to Call a Professional
Large grease stains, or stains that have been walked on and embedded over time, often need professional-grade degreasers and hot water extraction to fully remove. If you've treated the stain and it keeps reappearing or remains dark, there is likely grease residue remaining in the backing that DIY methods can't reach.
Carpet Hero's cleaning process uses professional-strength solutions that work on tough grease without leaving behind the residue that re-attracts dirt.
If a grease stain keeps reappearing after cleaning, the oil is still present in the carpet backing. Professional extraction is the only reliable way to remove it from that depth.