How to Get Butter Out of Clothes

We love butter in our cookies, but not on our clothes! Whether you accidentally get a smear of solid butter or a splash of melted butter on your clothes, it leaves behind a greasy stain that can be hard to remove if not done correctly (just like these other food stains). We’re covering the top three methods on how to get butter out of clothes, and each one is sure to save your favorite shirt. But the trick is to act quickly!

How to Get Butter Stains Out of Clothes

TMB Studio

Start by removing as much butter as you can. Gently scrape away solid butter with the edge of a butter knife, and gently blot any remaining residue with a dry cloth or paper towel. Then grab some supplies. Here’s what you might need, depending on which method you use. Sometimes you’ll need to try more than one method to completely get rid of the stain, so it’s best to be prepared!

Things You’ll Need

• Liquid dish soap (Dawn works best)
• Stain remover, like Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover
• Baking soda
• Liquid laundry detergent, like Tide

Dish Soap Method

Squirt a few drops of liquid dish soap on the butter stain, then let it sit for a few minutes. You can use an old toothbrush to work the soap into the stain. Rinse well. Then use a dab of stain remover and wash the fabric in hot water. Just be sure that the stain is completely gone before you put it in the dryer. If not, the butter stain may set permanently!

Baking Soda Method

For delicate clothing, try baking soda. Baking soda absorbs the grease stain without needing to scrub. Cover the stain with a generous sprinkle of baking soda, then let it sit overnight. Shake off the baking soda and wash the clothing in hot water. This also works great on carpet and upholstery because you can simply vacuum up the baking soda after letting it absorb the stain overnight. Repeat as needed.

Stain Release Soak Method

If you’re dealing with a large splatter of butter, or multiple butter stains, it might be easier to soak the entire garment instead of treating each individual stain. Make a soaking solution in a sink or bucket with one gallon of warm water and 1-1/2 tablespoons of Tide Ultra Stain Release Liquid. Allow the garment to soak for up to 5 minutes, then wash in hot water. Keep the clothing totally submerged while soaking by weighing it down with a white towel. Learn how to get tomato sauce out of clothes with these simple methods.