Doing laundry is not something I enjoy. It’s a never-ending battle that I struggle to appreciate, even with my lovely laundry closet. One of the worst parts of it all used to be dealing with stubborn grease stains.
No matter how many times I washed my husband’s shirts with different sprays and stain removers, those pesky stains would still be there, mocking me. But then, like a miracle, a friend of my mom shared a trick with me and it changed everything!
Cleaning advice is not something I usually share on my blog, but I was so excited to find a solution that made my laundry tasks easier. I felt I had to pass it along, especially for those who are facing the same daunting challenge. Please note that this post may contain some affiliate links.
I have no idea where these relentless grease stains come from, but it feels like they are on a mission to ruin every shirt in my husband’s wardrobe! Some readers have suggested that fabric softener or dryer sheets could be the culprits, but since I don’t use those, that theory doesn’t apply to us. If you’re dealing with a similar issue, it might be worth investigating.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get rid of these stains. We ended up throwing away so many of his polo shirts and buying new ones. It was incredibly frustrating, and I was almost pulling my hair out every laundry day!
That’s when my mom’s friend recommended using Dawn Platinum Erasing Dish Foam to tackle our grease stain problem. This dish soap is designed to soak up grease from dishes, but she mentioned that it also worked wonders on laundry. Intrigued and desperate, my mom tried it and confirmed its effectiveness. Trusting their word, I decided to give it a shot too. Initially, I bought it from Target a couple of times, but its availability was unpredictable. So, I’ve opted to order refill bottles from Amazon in the future.
One of the unique features of this soap is its foamy consistency when pumped, and a little goes a long way. Simply apply a small amount directly onto each grease stain.
Next, rub the dish soap into the fabric using your fingers, making sure to cover the entire stained area.
Let the Dawn Platinum Erasing Dish Foam sit on the clothes for about five minutes before proceeding with the wash.
Then, use your regular detergent and wash the clothes according to the recommended settings. Personally, I choose to wash all my clothes in cold water using Tide Coldwater Clean.
If the grease or oil stain still persists, treat the spot with more Dawn erasing foam and repeat the process. There have been a few occasions where stubborn set-in stains needed two or three washes, but most are eliminated after just one treatment, even if the stained shirt had been previously washed and dried.
I have only tested this method on cotton, polyester, and denim materials. If you come across a stain on a more delicate fabric, I recommend testing the Dawn erasing foam on a hidden area first.
Finding this solution to remove persistent grease and oil stains has been a huge relief! While I still don’t find joy in doing laundry, I have one less annoyance to deal with!
Now, I’m curious to know, what’s your go-to laundry tip for dealing with stubborn or set-in stains? Share your thoughts in the comments!
