Fried chicken is delicious, but it can also leave behind some stubborn grease stains. Whether it’s on your favorite shirt, the living room carpet, or your kitchen table, fried chicken stains can be a hassle to remove. However, with the right techniques and products, you can get rid of fried chicken stains for good.
Supplies You’ll Need
Before tackling fried chicken stains, gather the following supplies:
- Dish soap: A degreasing dish soap like Dawn helps cut through greasy stains.
- Baking soda: Acts as a gentle abrasive to lift stains.
- White vinegar: Helps dissolve grease and neutralize odors.
- Hydrogen peroxide: Removes set-in stains through oxidation.
- Enzyme cleaner: Breaks down organic stains like food and grease.
- Laundry detergent: For pre-treating and washing stained clothes.
- Spray bottle: For applying stain-fighting solutions directly to the stain.
- Soft cloths and sponges: For gentle blotting and scrubbing.
- Old toothbrush: To help work stain removers into fibrous materials.
- Paper towels: For blotting up excess moisture.
How to Remove Fried Chicken Stains from Clothes
Clothing is prone to fried chicken stains from accidental spills and drips. Follow these steps to remove fried chicken stains from washable fabrics:
Act Quickly
It’s easier to remove a fresh stain than an old, set-in one. Immediately blot the stain with a paper towel to absorb as much grease as possible. Avoid rubbing, as this can push the stain further into the fabric.
Pre-treat the Stain
Mix a solution of 1 part dish soap, 1 part vinegar, and 4 parts warm water. Apply it directly to the stain and let sit for 10-15 minutes. This helps break down the fatty oils.
Wash as Usual
Launder the stained item in the hottest water that’s safe for the fabric. Make sure to use an enzyme-based detergent, which helps remove food-based stains.
Repeat as Needed
Check if the stain is still visible after washing. If so, don’t put the item in the dryer yet! That will set the stain. Hand wash it again using a stain-fighting pretreatment.
Use Hydrogen Peroxide
For tough set-in stains, apply hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain before washing. Let it bubble for 5-10 minutes, then rinse and launder as usual.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Bleach and other harsh chemicals can damage fabrics. Stick to gentle cleaning methods for the best results.
Removing Fried Chicken Grease From Carpet
Carpets are magnets for stains, especially greasy drips and spills from fried chicken. Here are some effective methods for eliminating fried chicken stains from carpet:
Blot Excess Grease
Immediately blot the carpet stain with paper towels or a clean rag. Don’t scrub, as this can spread the stain. Just gently press down to soak up as much grease as possible.
Sprinkle on Baking Soda
Liberally sprinkle baking soda over the stain. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes. The baking soda will help draw out and absorb the greasy residue.
Scrub With Dish Soap
Mix a few drops of dish soap into warm water. Use a soft-bristled brush or sponge to gently scrub the stain. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Use an Enzyme Cleaner
Spray an enzyme-based carpet cleaner directly onto the stain according to the product directions. This will help break down the organic oils and food residue. Let it soak in for 5-10 minutes before blotting.
Consider Steam Cleaning
For large or stubborn stains, use a specialized carpet steam cleaner. The combination of heat, steam, and cleaning solution will help extract embedded fried chicken grease.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Avoid using bleach, ammonia, or other harsh chemicals on carpets. Always spot test any new cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area first.
Removing Fried Chicken Stains from Furniture
Fried chicken stains on upholstered furniture, dining chairs, and tables can be tricky to remove. Use these methods tailored to home furnishings:
Blot Immediately
As soon as you notice a fried chicken stain on furniture, blot at it with a paper towel or clean rag. Avoid scrubbing or you may work the stain deeper into the upholstery.
Use an Upholstery Cleaner
Spray an enzyme-based upholstery cleaner directly onto the stain. Let it soak in for 5-10 minutes. Blot gently with a clean absorbent cloth. Avoid rubbing.
Try Vinegar and Water
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the stain, let it sit briefly, then blot. The vinegar will help neutralize odors and dissolve grease.
Sprinkle on Baking Soda
Apply a generous layer of baking soda onto greasy stains. Let it sit overnight, then vacuum up. Repeat as needed for stubborn stains.
Use Dish Soap and Water
For set-in stains, mix a few drops of degreasing dish soap into a bowl of warm water. Dip a soft cloth into the solution and gently blot the stain. Avoid scrubbing.
Steam Clean Fabric Furniture
Use an upholstery attachment on a carpet steam cleaner to forcefully extract grease from fabric furniture. Check the manufacturer’s directions first.
Avoid Bleach and Ammonia
Never use harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia, or acetone on upholstery. Always spot test cleaning solutions first.
Step-by-Step Guide for Removing Fried Chicken Stains
Follow this comprehensive step-by-step guide for foolproof fried chicken stain removal:
Step 1: Blot Immediately
Gently blot fresh stains ASAP with a paper towel or clean rag to absorb excess grease. Don’t rub, which can push the stain deeper.
Step 2: Sprinkle Baking Soda
Cover the entire stain with a generous layer of baking soda. Let sit for at least 15 minutes, up to overnight. The baking soda will help draw out the stain.
Step 3: Pretreat with Dish Soap
Mix a few drops of Dawn dish soap into warm water. Use a soft cloth or sponge to gently pretreat the stain. Avoid harsh scrubbing.
Step 4: Rinse Clean
Thoroughly rinse the area with fresh, clean water to remove all soap residue.
Step 5: Apply Vinegar
Spritz undiluted white vinegar onto the stain and let sit briefly. The vinegar will help breakdown fatty acids.
Step 6: Launder with Enzyme Cleaner
For clothing, add an enzyme-based detergent and launder on the hottest setting safe for the fabric. Air dry, don’t dryer.
Step 7: Repeat as Needed
Reapply stain-fighting solutions and wash again if any residual stain remains. With perseverance, you can defeat those fried chicken stains!
Common Questions about Removing Fried Chicken Stains
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about eliminating fried chicken stains:
What is the fastest way to get fried chicken stains out?
Blotting and pretreating the stain immediately is the quickest way to lift a fresh stain before it has time to set in. Using an enzyme cleaner also speeds up stain removal.
What removes old, set-in fried chicken stains?
For an old, stubborn stain, try pretreating with a mix of dish soap, vinegar, and warm water. Or, apply hydrogen peroxide and let it bubble for 10 minutes before laundering. Repeat as needed.
What homemade stain remover works on fried chicken grease?
An effective homemade stain fighter is a mix of 1 part dish soap, 1 part vinegar, and 2 parts warm water. Just don’t use this mixture on delicate fabrics.
What store-bought stain remover works best?
Look for an enzymatic cleaner like OxiClean Max Force for the most powerful results on fried chicken stains. The enzymes break down food oils.
How do you get fried chicken grease out of upholstery?
Gently dab stains on upholstery using a mix of dish soap and warm water. Avoid scrubbing. You can also use an enzyme-based upholstery cleaner according to its directions.
Will fried chicken stains come out of carpet?
Yes! Use an absorbent cloth to blot fresh stains immediately, then treat with dish soap and water. For stubborn stains, use an enzyme carpet cleaner or steam clean. Just avoid harsh chemicals.
Conclusion
Although fried chicken leaves behind greasy, sticky stains, you don’t have to live with the evidence. With the right technique and products, you can safely remove fried chicken stains from clothing, carpet, and furniture. The key is to act quickly on fresh stains and avoid using harsh chemicals that could damage fabrics. With some persistence, enzyme-based cleaners, degreasing dish soap, and other gentle stain-fighting methods, you can outsmart those pesky fried chicken stains.