How to Remove Grease Stains From Carpet

Ways to get out all types of grease spots from pizza to black automotive oil

How to Remove Grease Stains From Carpet

The Spruce / Tara Anand

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 5 - 30 mins
  • Total Time: 5 mins - 4 hrs, 30 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0 to $10

Grease often gets tracked indoors to the carpet or leaves a stain when you drop a piece of pizza or buttered toast on the rug. Whether the carpet is dark or light, those oily, greasy marks are very noticeable and they attract even more soil. Don't ignore the stain. It won't go away. Treat a problem as soon as you possibly can by absorbing it.

Learn how to get rid of grease stains with cleaning supplies you probably have on hand.

Stain Type Oil-based
Detergent Type Enzyme-based stain remover, absorbent powder, dishwashing liquid with grease cutter, ammonia
Water Temperature Hot to warm
Cycle type Varies by fiber (if washing a small, washable area rug by machine)

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Dull knife or spoon
  • Clean, dry cloths
  • Old toothbrush or soft-bristled nylon brush
  • Vacuum
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Small bowl

Materials

  • Cornstarch, talcum powder, or baking soda
  • Ammonia
  • Dishwashing liquid with a grease cutter
  • Paper towels

Instructions

Materials needed to remove grease stains from carpet

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

How to Remove Grease Stains From Carpet

Grease stains are easier to remove from natural wool and cotton carpet fibers than from synthetic fibers. Synthetic fibers, particularly olefin, attract and hold onto oily stains making them more difficult to remove.

  1. Remove Any Solid Matter

    Never rub a grease stain with a cloth. Rubbing will push the grease deeper into the carpet fibers possibly making it larger and always making it harder to remove. Use a spoon, a dull kitchen knife, or the edge of a credit card to lift away as much of the greasy blob as possible.

    Removing any solid grease matter from the stain with a dull knife

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  2. Sprinkle the Stain With Absorbent Powder

    Remove any grease stain from a carpet by absorbing as much of it as possible. By using an absorbent powder, depending on the size of the stain, you may not have to do any additional scrubbing.

    • After removing any solids, sprinkle the stain liberally with cornstarch, talcum powder, or baking soda to absorb the oil.
    • Work the powder into the carpet with a soft-bristled brush (an old toothbrush works great).
    • Allow the absorbing powder to sit on the stain for at least 15 minutes, but up to an hour is better.
    • Vacuum the carpet thoroughly to remove the powder. 
    • Check the stain. Reapply the powder and repeat the steps if the stain still feels greasy to the touch.
    Sprinkling the stain with absorbent powder

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

How to Use Homemade Carpet Cleaner to Remove Grease Stains From Carpet

After removing any solids and trying an absorbent powder, use a DIY cleaning solution to remove any remaining traces of the grease stain. Test the solution first in a hidden part of the carpet to make sure the color is not affected.

  • Mix a cleaning solution: Mix 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid with a grease cutter in 2 cups of hot water in a small bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of household ammonia.
  • Treat: Work from the outside edges toward the center of the stain to prevent it from becoming larger. Gently scrub it with a soft-bristled brush dipped in the cleaning solution, then blot with a dry paper towel until the stain is removed. 
  • Rinse the area: Rinse the freshly cleaned area with a cloth dipped in plain water to completely remove any soapy residue. Any residue left on the carpet (or upholstery) will attract more dirt. Blot dry with a clean cloth. Repeat the cleaning steps until no more stain remains.
  • Dry and vacuum: Allow the area to air-dry away from direct heat and avoid walking on that area of the carpet until it is fully dry. Vacuum to lift any matted fibers.

Warning

Always read product labels when mixing ammonia with another cleaning product, to make sure that chlorine bleach is not an ingredient. Never mix ammonia and bleach as the combination produces a toxic gas.

Additional Tips for Handling Grease Stains on Carpet

If the above methods do not work, select a commercial carpet stain remover that contains enzymes that will break apart the grease molecules so they are easier to lift from the fibers. Check the ingredient label for the enzyme lipase, which degrades fat-based stains. Follow the product label directions for application.

When treating a grease stain on an area rug that's on a hardwood floor, move the rug to a tarp or washable floor first. If the wood floor beneath the rug becomes wet during cleaning, remove the rug completely to allow the floor to dry or dark marks may appear.

If the grease stain is larger than a dinner plate, sprinkle with it cornstarch, block it off from foot traffic to prevent spreading the stain, and call a professional carpet cleaning service.

Cleaning Grease From Upholstery

The same cleaning techniques and products recommended for carpeting can be used to remove grease stains from upholstery. If you need to use the wet cleaning steps, be careful not to over-wet the fabric because excess moisture in the furniture cushions can cause mildew to form.

Before cleaning any furniture, always follow the manufacturer's care label on cleaning upholstery. This tag can be found under the sofa cushions or fabric skirt with letter codes that indicate how to clean the furniture. If the upholstery is vintage or silk, sprinkle with cornstarch and call a professional before attempting to remove the stain.

FAQ
  • What takes grease out of carpet?

    An absorbent powder, like baking soda, cornstarch, or talcum powder, is indispensable for sopping up grease from carpet. To further remove the grease, blot a mix of dishwashing liquid and water on the stain. Or, use a commercial carpet stain remover that contains the enzyme lipase to loosen the grease from the fibers.

  • How do you get black grease oil out of carpet?

    Black grease, made with a type of graphite, is commonly used for machinery and auto parts. Use a two-part method to release the black grease and always test the ingredients on a hidden spot first to make sure the carpet color will not be affected. Absorb the stain with an absorbent powder first that you leave on the grease for 15 minutes before vacuuming it up. Then blot it with a dry cleaning solvent. Or, for stubborn black grease, spray WD-40 and blot the stain out with a clean, dry cloth until it disappears.

  • Will peroxide take grease out of carpet?

    Hydrogen peroxide is great for laundry but be careful with it on carpeting because it can lighten the fibers. Test it in a hidden spot to make sure it will not bleach the fibers. If it is safe, use only to lightly moisten the top of the tufts of carpeting to remove any last hints of a grease stain after using other methods to remove the bulk of the oil. Let the peroxide sit for an hour and blot it away with a clean, dry cloth. There is no need to rinse.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Cleaning and Sanitizing with Bleach After an Emergency. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

  2. Grease: Stain Solutions/Carpet. University of Illinois Extension.