Home Garden

How to Get Grease Out of Quilts

Grease stains from natural body oils or greasy food spills lead to discoloration and odor on a quilt. While many of the quilts sold commercially are machine-washable, some older quilts are not. Not being able to machine-wash a quilt doesn't have to stop you from tackling a grease stain. You can treat the stain as you would on your upholstered furniture to remove the grease while preserving the condition of your quilt. Appropriate supplies and effective cleaning methods help you get the oil out to avoid having it become a dirt magnet.

Things You'll Need

  • Talcum powder
  • Hand vacuum
  • Clean cloths
  • Dry cleaning solvent
  • Hairdryer
Show More

Instructions

    • 1
      Talcum powder soaks up liquid stains on fabric.

      Lay the quilt on a flat surface with the grease stains facing up. Cover the stains with talcum powder.

    • 2

      Leave the talcum powder on the quilt for 30 to 60 minutes to absorb the grease. Remove the powder with a hand vacuum.

    • 3

      Dampen a clean cloth with dry cleaning solvent. Blot the remaining grease stain with the solvent. Press a dry cloth into the quilt to lift the stain. Alternate blotting the quilt with dry cleaning solvent and a dry cloth until the stain is gone.

    • 4

      Press a dry cloth into the quilt fabric to remove as much moisture as possible. Speed up the drying process by aiming a hairdryer adjusted to the lowest heat setting at the fabric.