Getting grease out of a washing machine?

Question

I stupidly washed my place mats that I spilled hamburger grease on. I had pre-soaked them in laundry detergent and hot water and then thought I could wash them better in the washing maching. Stupid. Now my washer is totally grease. Is there anything that I can put in the washer and run in an empty load to get the grease out? We do not have hot water running to our washer, only cold so bear that in mind. Thanks very much!

Answer 1

Grease Lightning is a fabulous product. It's available at Home Depot by the gallon. We use it when we flip houses, it makes a huge difference. It's not that expensive compaired to household cleaners and works well. Don't use it in the spray form though as I find it puts too many fumes in the air. We use it in a bucket. Not the noxious fumes and for small jobs you can dillute it. http://www.greased-lightning.com/



I would put some in a bucket and rag. Soak the rag and wipe the washing machine down with it liberally in full strength let it sit for a fifteen minutes. Wipe it down a few more times, let it sit then run the washer through a normal cycle.

You can also use borax in with the normal cycle borax is another great product for grease.

I've been there so I understand completely!

Answer 2

Well, this is just an educated guess: anything that cleans grease out of clothes, or off surfaces, should--theoretically--do the same in the washer. I assume you have a stove? If so, boil a large pot of water, add it to a full washer (full of water only), add a cleaner like Simple Green, Formula 409 (if it still exists, I can't find it in stores anymore), and a little laundry soap; then run it through a normal cycle. If you can't add the boiling water, do the same but use more cleaner and soap; you may have to run it through more than once. It might be a good idea to first go over all inside surfaces of the washer with paper towels or clean rags, to clean as much grease off the surfaces as possible.

Answer 3

Never underestimate the power of a good baking soda and vinegar mix. Pouring the combination into your washer will cause a chemical reaction and should work the grease loose, without having to add hot water. I recommend adding an entire gallon of distilled white vinegar to your full washer and then adding baking soda and watch for the bubbles. Then run through an entire cycle.

Answer 4

Try just running a large load using a grease cutter like Simple Green or the stuff that is made out of Orange Oil. Really simple soap should work...