How to remove grease stains from Rayon Fabric?

If the stains are fresh:

  • First, scoop out excess grease from the surface of your rayon garment.
  • Next, blot the area using a paper towel or a soft cloth to absorb as much grease as possible.
  • Then, put a mild stain remover or a mild dishwashing detergent on the affected area.
  • Leave the solution to settle for about 5 minutes.
  • Finally, pour some water into the area and rub it with a clean sponge.
  • Repeat the step if necessary, or else rinse it with clean water and put it in the washer.

Key Takeaways

  • Removing grease stains from delicate fabrics like rayon can be challenging.
  • Rayon fibers in rayon are more likely to break if they are wet for a long time or if they are treated with harsh chemicals like those found in many commercial stain removers.
  • Make sure to always use a fabric-safe mild solution as a stain remover suitable for rayon fibers.
  • Stain removers in powdered form are said to be the best to treat greasy stains on rayon fabrics.
  • If you work too hard on stains, you will end up with faded patches all over the surface of the garment.
  • Stubborn stains will disappear with time or after a few washing. Therefore, do not attempt or experiment using harsh chemicals over the affected area.

Why does grease stain the fabrics?

Since grease is a lipid and doesn’t dissolve in water, it sticks to the fibers of the fabric and makes it hard to get off. The stains are oily and penetrate deep into the fibers of any fabric, even rayon.

You can get these kinds of stains on your clothes not only when you work in a garage or grease your everyday appliances, but also when you cook.

Therefore, it is important to be aware of how to treat such stains and prevent them from settling deeply into your fabrics.

Although there are a few different ways to treat a grease stain, it is important to act quickly and carefully to prevent the stain from becoming permanent.

As a home remedy, dishwashing soap, fabric stain remover, and baking soda can be used to get rid of the stains effectively.

Also, you might need to use a cleaner with a solvent or a degreaser that is safe for delicate fabrics like rayon for more stubborn stains.

Moreover, you may also need to pretreat the stain with a laundry prewash solution.

How to remove grease stains from rayon fabric? (Effectively)

Before you use a cleaning product on your rayon item, please test it on a part that won’t be seen.

Once you are sure that the cleaning solution will not damage the fabric, you can apply it directly to the grease stain.

Let us take a quick look at the various ways to treat grease stains on rayon fabric.

Method 1: Baking soda & Degreaser

Baking soda is one of the best and safest ways to get rid of grease stains on rayon clothes at home.

Here’s how you can remove grease stains from rayon fabrics using baking soda.

For fresh grease stains

  • If the stain is fresh then simply scoop out the excess stain from the surface using a butter knife and then blot it with a soft cotton cloth or a paper towel.
  • Next, sprinkle some baking soda powder over the stained surface and cover it entirely.
  • Leave the baking soda powder to settle for an hour or two.
  • Baking soda powder will help absorb the grease and loosen the stain-causing substance from the fabric.
  • Now, scrape out the dried area using the putty knife or gently rub it with a cloth. The oily material should be absorbed, and the stain should begin to fade.

For dried stain

  • Make a thick paste of one part water and one part baking soda in a small bowl.
  • Apply the paste over the stained surface using your fingers or a gentle bristled brush. Make sure to cover the entire surface evenly and leave it to settle for about two to three hours.
  • As the baking soda dries it will start absorbing the greasy stained particles off the surface.
  • Depending on how stubborn the stain is you can also leave the application overnight.
  • Next is to scrape out the dried baking soda from the surface using a cloth or a putty knife.
  • Finally, rinse the affected surface with clean and warm water. In some cases, you may not need to use any other stain-removing solution after this step and simply wash the garment as usual.
  • If required you can now use a stain remover and apply it over the surface and wash your garment.

Method 2: Degreaser

You can also use a degreaser like WD-40 to get rid of greasy stains on fabrics.

You can apply a paste of baking soda and WD-40 over stubborn or dried stains and leave it for about 30 minutes.

Lastly, you can rinse and wash the stained surface with a mild detergent.

Method 3: Dishwashing liquid soap or fabric stain remover

Dishwasher liquid and fabric stain removers can be used in a similar way to treat grease stains on rayon fabric.

  • If the grease stain is fresh, blot it with a clean white cloth to absorb as much grease as possible, likewise, if the stain is dry, scrape it with a blunt knife.
  • Dampen the stained surface of the rayon garment with little water. Then, apply either dishwashing liquid soap or fabric stain remover and gently scrub it using a soft-bristled brush or a sponge for about 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Leave it to settle for about 10 minutes, sprinkle some water, and gently give another scrub over the stained surface.
  • Next, rinse the affected areas of the rayon garment with clean water and put it for a final wash.

Note: Using stain-removing solutions on rayon garments should be done with utmost care. Make sure it is a fabric-safe solution and suitable for delicate fabrics, including rayon.

Method 4: Bleach

As a last resort, you can bleach the rayon garment. However, the bleach should be a non-chlorinated one.

Use oxygen bleach instead of regular bleach to avoid any damage.

You can start by soaking the garment or the stained portion in a bowl filled with water and a mixture of detergent.

Doing this will discharge excess dirt or grime from the garment before bleaching. Rinse the garment thoroughly and start with the bleaching process.

Bleaching process

As per the instructions on the bleaching solution package, add it to a container filled with clean and warm water.

Soak your garment in the solution for about 30 minutes, making sure it is completely submerged.

Then, rub the stained area with the bleach solution and let it sit for 15 minutes.

Finally, rinse the clothes thoroughly in cold water, the stain should fade away.

Once you are done treating the stain, you can proceed with the final wash, i.e., you can wash your fabric and hang it outside to dry.

That being said, make sure to check the care label of the rayon garment to ensure it is safe for bleaching.

Note: Hair sprays can also be used to remove stubborn stains. However, hair sprays can leave marks on your clothes; therefore, you will need to be very careful and try one that is safe for fabrics.

Final Thoughts

Grease stains can be very adamant and visible on the rayon fabric. Therefore, it needs a stronger formulation and method to be removed.

So, if you use any of the above methods, make sure to test the stain-removing solution on an area that won’t be seen.

This will ensure that the solution is safe for your fabric type and won’t cause any damage.

No matter what method you choose, make sure to read the care label carefully before taking any stain-removing action.

This is very important, as it helps you treat the grease stains without damaging your fabric or garment.

Also, don’t use hot water or dryers because they can make the stain last forever and cause the fabric to shrink.

Lastly, if the stain doesn’t come off after multiple attempts, it is best to take your garment to a professional cleaner.

Manish Singh is an expert in electrical engineering with a Diploma in the field. With over 12 years of experience, he specializes in repairing music systems, washing machines, dryers, and other laundry-related appliances. His in-depth knowledge in electrical repairs and decent knowledge about garment care makes him a trusted authority in the field of appliance repair and laundry related topics. If you have any questions or need assistance with your appliances, you can reach out to Manish through email: manish.singh (at) portablelaundry.com