# Boring laundry / stains question
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boring-laundry-stains-question/210896
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [November 1, 2003, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boring-laundry-stains-question/210896 "2003-11-01T22:07:38Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2003, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boring-laundry-stains-question/210896/1 "2003-11-01T22:07:38Z")
How do you get out those grease stains that make the clothes look slightly darker in spots? Regular detergent and Oxy-Clean don’t seem to be doing the trick.
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### Author:  [@Lobelia\_Overhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobelia_Overhill)
#### Post date: [November 2, 2003, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boring-laundry-stains-question/210896/2 "2003-11-02T01:32:23Z")
dish washing liquid can work [if it’s the “right type” of grease] apply directly to the spot and rub it in, then shove the garment in the washing machine and wash with detergent … or you could rub salt water on the spots. Don’t blame me if it doesn’t work!! I will not be held libel for any damage to your garments caused by following my advice 🙂
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### Author:  [@Psifireus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Psifireus)
#### Post date: [November 2, 2003, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boring-laundry-stains-question/210896/3 "2003-11-02T01:48:40Z")
Send an email to [heloise@heloise.com](mailto:heloise@heloise.com) and ask her. Seems like I _used_ to have a book on stain removal that was written by **Heloise** which I consulted frequently and, if I recall correctly, her advice never failed. It’s worth a try anyway.
I wonder where that book is…
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### Author:  [@Zulema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zulema)
#### Post date: [November 2, 2003, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boring-laundry-stains-question/210896/4 "2003-11-02T02:55:42Z")
I have good luck with rubbing Spray and Wash stain stick on the spot then pouring boiling water through it.
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### Author:  [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)
#### Post date: [November 2, 2003, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boring-laundry-stains-question/210896/5 "2003-11-02T03:01:05Z")
Get [this Cornell stain removal guide.](http://www.human.cornell.edu/txa/extension/removingstains.pdf) Keep it handy, etc.
Learn what “dab lightly” means.
OTOH, it is for fresh, not set-in stains.
There is no guide for set-in stains. We all know why.
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### Author:  [@SnoopyFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnoopyFan)
#### Post date: [November 2, 2003, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boring-laundry-stains-question/210896/6 "2003-11-02T06:24:37Z")
Shout Gel. Ohhhh yes.
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### Author:  [@quiltguy154](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quiltguy154)
#### Post date: [November 2, 2003, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boring-laundry-stains-question/210896/7 "2003-11-02T12:41:21Z")
GELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!
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### Author:  [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)
#### Post date: [November 2, 2003, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boring-laundry-stains-question/210896/8 "2003-11-02T14:04:31Z")
Goop Hand cleaner. Works great.