Grease stains can wreak havoc on your favourite garments, but you don't need to reach for a commercial cleaning product to tackle them. For those who favour a natural alternative, one cleaning expert has revealed her handy tip — and it doesn't involve baking soda.
Chalk: The Unexpected Stain Remover
Cleaning expert Georgia, better known as Clean with Georgia on TikTok, explained that rather than turning to baking soda or vinegar to shift stains, she swears by something else altogether. In a video, Georgia recommended using chalk to banish those troublesome oil stains.
How to Clean Grease Stains with Chalk
Once the excess liquid has been dealt with, you can apply the chalk directly to the stain. Georgia advised rubbing the chalk firmly into the affected area. Chalk is effective at removing grease stains because it acts as an absorbent, drawing the oil out of the fabric and into itself. It's advisable to leave the chalk in place for a period of time to allow all the liquid to be fully soaked up.
Bosch recommends reapplying chalk to stains if you notice it clumping together. Continue doing so until the chalk stops clumping, as this indicates there is no remaining oil left to absorb. Once you're satisfied that all the liquid has been absorbed, remove any leftover chalk and put the item in the washing machine on your usual cycle. This technique works best on smaller stains.
Expert Endorsements
Kathy Cohoon, from Two Maids & a Mop, told Homes & Gardens: "The chemical makeup of chalk and its open-cell structure makes it incredibly absorbent. Chalk is able to zap up moisture and liquids easily." Her view is shared by others in the know, with Jill Koch of Jill Comes Clean lending her support to the idea. Jill said: "Chalk is typically made from a form of limestone called calcium carbonate. As you apply the chalk to the oil stain, it will absorb the oil and essentially hold onto it. Then you can brush the chalk away and the oil along with it. Chalk today [usually] includes other ingredients, too, but calcium carbonate is often still the main ingredient."
