Cleaning & Organizing Laundry Stain Removal

2 Simple Methods to Get Butter Out of Clothes

Remove these greasy stains quickly using common cleaners

How to Remove Butter Stains illustration

The Spruce / Bailey Mariner

While butter can make food taste better, a butter stain does not make clothes, upholstery, or carpet look any better. It can be difficult to remove butter or margarine stains on fabric, as they are grease stains and tend to be oily. But, it's still possible to erase these stains at home with store-bought or homemade products.

React quickly when you see a butter drip. Never rub it in, or you'll push the stain deeper into the fabric. Immediately lift any solids with a dull knife, spoon, or the edge of a credit card. Then, blot away more of the oil with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel.

Finally, before washing your garment, pretreat the stain for removal with an absorbent powder like baking soda, or liquid dish soap in an emergency.

Here are more details on how to get butter out of clothes and fabrics using multiple easy methods to try at home.

Tips

For set stains, your window for blotting might have already passed. You can still increase your chances of removing the stain if you don't put the fabric in the dryer until it's been treated and washed.

Stain type Oil-based
Detergent type Solvent-based stain remover
Water temperature Hottest that the fabric can handle
Cycle type Regular

Remove Butter From Clothes With Cornstarch, Baking Soda, or Talcum Powder

Applying talcum powder to a butter stain

The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

Use this method to absorb the oil from the butter stain. You will need a little bit of time to let the powder sit on the stain to absorb the oil.

For this method, you’ll need a dry cloth or paper towel, laundry stain remover, and a soft-bristled brush in addition to either cornstarch, baking soda, or talcum powder.

  1. Blot away as much of the stain as possible.
  2. Sprinkle a generous amount of cornstarch, baking soda, or talcum powder over the area to absorb oil and help remove the stain.
  3. Allow the powder to sit on the stain for at least 15 minutes. Then, brush it away with a soft-bristle brush.
  4. Pretreat the stain using a solvent-based stain removal product, such as Shout, Spray 'n Wash, or Zout. Follow label instructions, making sure the product is suitable for your fabric type. It's ideal to test it on an inconspicuous spot first. If you're using a home dry-cleaning kit, treat the stain with the provided stain remover before putting the garment in the dryer bag.
  5. Wash the fabric as usual in the hottest water recommended on the fabric's care label. (Or follow the instructions on your home dry-cleaning kit.)
  6. Inspect the stained area after washing. Do not dry the fabric until you're positive the stain is gone, as high heat can permanently set an oily stain. It's best to let the fabric air dry after the wash because butter stains can be difficult to see on wet fabric.
  7. Repeat each step if the stain is not gone after washing.

Tip

This method also works to remove butter stains from carpet and upholstery. Simply add baking soda, cornstarch, or talcum powder to the stain, then apply a dry cleaning solvent instead of laundry stain remover. Blot the area with a clean cloth until the stain no longer transfers to the cloth. Air-dry after treatment.

Remove Butter From Clothes With Dishwashing Liquid

Removing butter solids with a spoon

The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

Using an absorbent powder is the best way to fully remove the stain, but dishwashing liquid can be used in a pinch when you don’t have time to fully clean the stain. 

For this method, you'll need a clean, dry cloth or paper towel, a grease-fighting dishwashing liquid, an old toothbrush, and warm water.

  1. Dab the butter stain with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel.
  2. Add dishwashing liquid to the stain so it is fully covered. Let the dishwashing liquid sit on the stain for 15 minutes so it can work.
  3. Drip some warm water on the dishwashing liquid and gently work it into the stain using your fingers or an old, soft toothbrush.
  4. Wash the garment as usual in the hottest water the care tag allows, then air dry. 
  5. Check to see if the stain is gone. If not, repeat as necessary 

Tips for Removing Butter Stains

Treating with stain remover

The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

  • If you don't have a stain remover, apply heavy-duty liquid detergent that contains enough enzymes to break down the oil, such as Tide or Persil.
  • Use the corn starch, talcum powder, or baking soda method to treat delicate fabrics. Apply the powder to the stain, but let it for a few hours before gently dabbing it away and washing it in cold water on a delicate cycle.
  • Use a small hand-held extractor to remove the stain from carpet and upholstery. Extraction helps the fabric and fibers dry quicker, which helps minimize drying issues.
  • If the fabric must be dry-cleaned, you can still apply cornstarch, talcum powder, or baking soda to the stain before heading to a professional cleaner as soon as possible.
  • You also can use a home dry-cleaning kit, though they're not always effective on oily stains.
FAQ
  • Can you get butter stains out of clothing?

    A butter stain is not necessarily permanent. You can get a butter stain out of clothing if it is treated properly. However, the stain can become permanent if the garment is dried with heat before it is treated.

  • What is the best stain remover for butter stains?

    The best stain remover for butter stains is a safe, highly absorbent powder, such as cornstarch, talcum powder, or baking soda.

  • How do you get grease out of clothes after washing and drying?

    A commercial solvent-based spray or gel stain remover is the best way to remove grease stains on clothes after you have washed and dried the item. Then, rewash the item to remove the stain. If you don't have any stain remover on hand, try massaging a grease-cutting liquid dish detergent on the stain and then washing it.