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Removing grease stains
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Removing grease stains
Grease stains from the shed or garage are of a completely different order than food stains. Think of grease from a bicycle chain, bearing grease, assembly paste, engine oil mixed with dirt, or black deposits from working on a car. One touch with your trousers, a cloth that lands on the sofa, or a hand on the rug, and you have a dark stain that immediately stands out. These stains are often not only greasy, but also black or grey due to metal particles and street dirt. This makes them appear to be quickly ‘rubbed in’ and remain stubbornly visible.
Responding quickly helps, but mainly because you want to prevent the stain from being pressed further into the fibres or smeared. With this type of lubricant, rubbing hard is almost always counterproductive. Fortunately, in many cases, these types of grease stains can be effectively removed with the right approach. Below, you can first read about what makes these stains so difficult to remove and what you need to pay attention to for each surface. You can then add James’s advice for each surface.
The same advice applies to these stains: Lubricant, Grease, Lubricating oil, Grinding dust, Petroleum, Linseed oil, Chain grease, Bicycle grease, Petrol, Engine oil
Characteristics (anatomy) of a grease stain
Grease stains from the garage usually consist of grease or oil with high adhesion, often mixed with black dirt, metal dust and soot-like particles. This means you not only have a grease stain, but also a colour stain that can remain deep in the fibres. The fatty part adheres to material and attracts dirt, while the dark particles become embedded in the structure. In textiles, this mixture can creep between fibres and remain visible there as a dark shadow, even if the surface feels less greasy. On hard floors, grease often forms a thin film on the top layer that shines and at the same time retains dirt. If you wait too long, the stain may spread because you walk or sit on it, causing the grease and dirt to spread further.
Grease stains in carpets and rugs
Carpets and rugs are susceptible to grease because grease and oil quickly sink between the fibres and form a dark shadow there. Chain grease or bearing grease is often dark grey to black in colour, making the stain easily noticeable. With deep-pile carpets, grease can sink deeper, making the visible stain on the surface appear smaller than what is actually in the pile. In addition, the mixture of grease and dirt can spread along fibres, resulting in a stain with no clear edge but with a broad shadow zone.
What makes these stains particularly difficult to remove is that they often contain metal dust and street dirt. These are fine particles that attach themselves to fibres and remain there, even if you have already absorbed some of the fat. As a result, you will not only see a greasy spot, but also a greyish or black discolouration that becomes more apparent after drying. In addition, grease acts as a magnet for new dirt: even if the stain appears less dark, it may become noticeable again in the following days because dust and sand adhere to it. The spot can then become increasingly larger and greyer, especially on walking routes.
When dealing with carpets and rugs, it is important to note that rubbing can push the black particles deeper into the fibres and make the stain larger. Too much moisture can also spread the grease and cause rings, giving you an additional problem. In addition, an overly aggressive approach can damage the pool, leaving a visible mark due to differences in structure. When applying grease, it is important to keep the stain small, not to spread the grease, and only to assess the actual size of the discoloured area once it is completely dry.
Treat with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth
You can treat this stain with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth. For this you need James Stainspray and a white cotton cloth. Next:
- Test for colour and material resistance in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry completely and evaluate.
- Spray James Stainspray on a dry, white cotton cloth.
- Use this cloth to wipe the stain using wide sweeping strokes, without spreading the stain. Repeat frequently with a clean part of the cloth.
- Directly spray James Stainspray onto any residue and repeat the process using wide sweeping strokes.
Treat with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth
You can treat this stain with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth. For this you need James Stainspray and a white cotton cloth. Next:
- Test for colour and material resistance in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry completely and evaluate.
- Spray James Stainspray on a dry, white cotton cloth.
- Use this cloth to wipe the stain using wide sweeping strokes, without spreading the stain. Repeat frequently with a clean part of the cloth.
- Directly spray James Stainspray onto any residue and repeat the process using wide sweeping strokes.
Grease stains on hard floors
On hard floors such as PVC, vinyl, LVT, laminate and natural stone, grease usually remains on the top layer, but it can quickly spread to form a film. Chain grease and assembly grease often leave a shiny, dark trail that is particularly visible in raking light. Grease can accumulate in the structure and along the edges, collecting dirt there. This not only leaves a stain, but also a spot that continues to look dirty, even after normal mopping.
With laminate and click flooring, it is important to pay extra attention to the seams. Fat can accumulate there, causing a dark rim that remains visible, especially when it gets drier. On PVC, vinyl and LVT, a greasy film can cause streaks and an uneven gloss finish. In natural stone, grease can penetrate into small pores, creating a permanent dark spot that is not only on the surface. Metal dust in the lubricant can also become embedded in the structure as dark spots.
When dealing with hard floors, you must take care not to spread it over a larger area. One sweeping motion can turn the stain into a long streak. Sanding or scrubbing too hard can also damage the top layer, resulting in a difference in shine that will remain visible. It is also important that no thin layer of grease remains, as this attracts dirt and causes streaks. When it comes to grease, hard floors often require the removal of film and dirt particles, not just the visible dark spot.
Treatment with James Remover
This stain can be treated with James Remover.
Before use, always test in an inconspicuous area for color and material resistance: apply, leave for 5 minutes, clean the tested area with water, allow to dry and evaluate.
- Spray directly onto the purpose area
- Leave to soak for about 1 to 5 minutes
- Then, use a white cotton cloth to remove the grease
- If necessary, gently treat stubborn stains with a soft brush or plastic spatula.
- After use, always clean the area with water.
Attention: be careful when working near a glue seams. Allow James Remover to soak in shortly. Do not let the product penetrate into cracks or seams.
Treatment with James Remover
This stain can be treated with James Remover.
Before use, always test in an inconspicuous area for color and material resistance: apply, leave for 5 minutes, clean the tested area with water, allow to dry and evaluate.
- Spray directly onto the purpose area
- Leave to soak for about 1 to 5 minutes
- Then, use a white cotton cloth to remove the grease
- If necessary, gently treat stubborn stains with a soft brush or plastic spatula.
- After use, always clean the area with water.
Attention: be careful when working near a glue seams. Allow James Remover to soak in shortly. Do not let the product penetrate into cracks or seams.
Grease stains on upholstery fabric
Furniture fabric is particularly sensitive to grease because grease and dark particles quickly adhere to fibres. Even a small amount of chain grease can cause a noticeable black-grey stain. Sitting and pressure can cause the grease to spread, making the stain larger and giving it a soft edge. On light fabrics, this is immediately noticeable as a dark stain, while on dark fabrics you often see a shiny or dull spot that is noticeable from an angle.
What makes it more difficult is that grease is often not “clean fat”. It contains dirt and metal particles that become lodged between the fibres and remain as discolouration. Even if the fabric feels less greasy, a grey shadow may remain visible. In addition, the grease attracts new dirt, causing the area to become grey over time and become increasingly noticeable. With cushions, the grease can penetrate deeper into the filling, causing the stain to reappear later, especially when exposed to heat.
When dealing with upholstery fabric, it is important to note that friction can spread the stain and damage the fibres, resulting in a permanent difference in texture. An excessively large moisture zone may also remain visible later as a circle, separate from the dark core. Pressure and heat often increase the stain unnoticed, especially on seating surfaces. When dealing with grease, the main aim is to keep the stain small and prevent grease and dark particles from spreading over a larger area.
Treat with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth
You can treat this stain with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth. For this you need James Stainspray and a white cotton cloth. Next:
- Test for colour and material resistance in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry completely and evaluate.
- Spray James Stainspray on a dry, white cotton cloth.
- Use this cloth to wipe the stain using wide sweeping strokes, without spreading the stain. Repeat frequently with a clean part of the cloth.
- Directly spray James Stainspray onto any residue and repeat the process using wide sweeping strokes.
Treat with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth
You can treat this stain with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth. For this you need James Stainspray and a white cotton cloth. Next:
- Test for colour and material resistance in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry completely and evaluate.
- Spray James Stainspray on a dry, white cotton cloth.
- Use this cloth to wipe the stain using wide sweeping strokes, without spreading the stain. Repeat frequently with a clean part of the cloth.
- Directly spray James Stainspray onto any residue and repeat the process using wide sweeping strokes.
Would you also like to benefit from James’ effective stain removal? Discover our full range and order your James products easily online. You’ll soon be enjoying a clean and stain-free interior again!
Frequently asked questions and myths
There are all sorts of stories going around about how to remove these grease stains. From granny’s remedies to persistent tips from the internet – but what really works? In this section, we answer frequently asked questions and debunk a few myths. This allows you to get started with confidence.
Does WD-40 or degreaser from the garage help against grease stains?
Many people resort to WD-40 or strong degreasers because they can loosen grease. The problem is that this often leaves behind a new film that attracts even more dirt. On carpet and upholstery fabric, such a product can cause the stain to spread, turning a small spot into a larger shadow. On hard floors, it may cause differences in shine or leave a slippery layer that continues to leave streaks. Sometimes it seems to be better for a while, but the end result can actually be worse.
Why does a grease stain often become larger than you thought?
Grease contains fat, which moves easily under pressure. If you sit on it, walk over it or wipe it with a cloth, you will spread it over a larger area. Furthermore, grease in textiles can slowly spread through fibres, making the dark shadow appear larger after drying. The greasy parts also attract dust and sand, making the edge suddenly visible after a day or two. This makes it appear as if the stain is growing, whereas it is mainly spreading and dirt adhesion.
Does washing-up liquid work well on chain grease or bearing grease?
Washing-up liquid sounds logical, but it is often not ideal for this type of grease. In textiles, it is difficult to remove everything, leaving behind soap residues that become sticky and attract dirt. As a result, the area may become grey again over time. On hard floors, washing-up liquid can leave streaks and a dull haze, especially on matt floors. For grease stains from the garage, you usually need something that works predictably without leaving any residue.
Is sanding or scraping a good idea for dried-on grease?
That may seem appealing when it has become difficult, but it is risky. Carpet and upholstery fabric fibres can be damaged, leaving a bald or fluffy spot. On hard floors, you can damage the top layer, leaving visible differences in shine or scratches. What is more, when you scrub, you often push dark particles deeper into the structure or fibres. The stain will then appear smaller, but the surface will look damaged.
Why does a grey haze sometimes remain, even if the stain is less greasy?
Because lubricants often contain metal dust and dirt particles. You can remove some of the grease, but the dark particles will remain between the fibres or in the structure as discolouration. On textiles, you will see this as a grey shadow, on hard floors as dark spots or a dull haze. Furthermore, a thin layer of grease may remain invisible, but still attract dirt. This makes it seem as if the stain will not come out, whereas it is mainly residual particles and film.
Deal with any stain using the right approach from James
Grease stains from the garage are stubborn because they combine grease with dark dirt and metal particles. If you spread them out or experiment with strong agents, you often make the stain bigger or create a permanent difference in shine. By keeping the stain small and paying attention to film, structure and dirt adhesion, you can prevent a small touch from becoming a big problem. With the right James approach for each surface, you can usually remove grease stains neatly and restore your carpet, floor or upholstery to its original smooth condition. If you want to be certain about what is appropriate for your equipment, please feel free to contact us for personalised advice.