Cornstarch is one of the first things to try on a fresh grease stain. It is an absorbent, and absorbents are materials used to soak up stains, especially grease and oil. Cornstarch, cornmeal and talcum powder are the common choices for the job. The same idea applies to clothing, stone, concrete, leather and paper.
Cornstarch works best on fresh oily spills, so act quickly when you can. It is not a fix for every stain, so match it to oily stains. Talcum powder is a close relative that works on many of the same jobs.
4 steps
Step by step
- 1
Absorb the Oil
Spread cornstarch or talcum powder over the stain as soon as you can. Let it work, then repeat the step until most of the stain is gone. Repeating is how the powder keeps pulling oil out of the material.
- 2
Brush and Pretreat Clothing
Use the powder to absorb as much grease as possible, then brush it off thoroughly. Pretreat the spot with a pre-wash stain remover, using one product at a time. Launder the item after pretreating, and rinse in between any other products you try.
- 3
Act Fast on Marble or Stone
Spread talcum powder, cornstarch or whiting over an oily spill as soon as possible. For a deep oil stain, mix a poultice powder such as talc with the cleaner, which is mineral spirits for oil, to a peanut-butter consistency. Apply the mix 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, cover it with plastic, and leave it for 24 to 48 hours.
- 4
Treat Oil Soaked into Concrete
Saturate the oily area with mineral spirits or paint thinner. Cover it with dry cement, talcum powder, cornstarch or kitty litter. Then sweep up the material, and treat the surface as a separate step from any clothing or stone stains.
Where Cornstarch Works Best
Cornstarch is an absorbent, and absorbents are used to soak up stains, especially grease and oil. On clothing, talcum powder is used to absorb as much grease as possible before you pretreat and wash the item.
The same powders work on fresh oily food spills on marble and stone, and on oil soaked into concrete. You can use cornstarch on oily stains on untreated paper and wallpaper by making a paste of cornstarch and water. On carpet, you can sprinkle cornstarch to help remove stains and odors.
How to Use Cornstarch on a Stain
Spread the absorbent on the stained area and let it work. Repeat the application until most of the stain is removed.
For grease on leather or suede, cover the area with an absorbent such as cornmeal. For an oily stain on untreated paper or wallpaper, spread the cornstarch paste on the soiled area. Keep the powder on the stain only as long as it is pulling oil out, then brush it off.
Where Talc and Cornstarch Are Unsafe or Limited
Talcum powder needs extra care around people, especially children. Don't shake it near babies or young children, because inhaled talc can damage the lungs and has killed children.
Keep talc away from babies' faces and anywhere a small child breathes. Cornstarch and talc are only for grease and oil, so don't count on them for other kinds of stains. Deep oil stains on stone need a different and longer method, which is covered in the steps below.
Common Myths About Flour and Colored Cornstarch
People often wonder whether flour works the same way as cornstarch. Cornstarch, cornmeal and talcum powder are the proven absorbents; flour isn't one of them, so don't assume it will act the same.
Colored cornstarch is not mentioned in those examples either. Stick with the powders named for oily stains. Test any new powder on a hidden spot before using it on fabric or a finished surface.
What Never to Mix It With
No products are listed as safe to mix cornstarch or talc with, so don't combine them with other cleaners or stain removers. Use one product at a time and rinse in between.
On concrete, the oil is saturated with mineral spirits or paint thinner before the powder goes on, which is a planned step and not a mix to improvise. Never shake talcum powder near babies or young children.
Questions
Does cornstarch remove stains?
Cornstarch is an absorbent that soaks up grease and oil stains. Spread it on the stain, let it work, and repeat until most of the stain is gone. On clothing, pretreat with a pre-wash stain remover and launder.
Can I use talcum powder for stain removal?
Yes, for grease and oil. Talcum powder also works on automotive grease, grease on clothing and fresh oily spills on marble and stone. Keep it away from babies and young children, because inhaled talc can damage the lungs.
Does cornstarch stain?
It's unclear whether cornstarch stains fabric or other surfaces, so test a hidden spot first, since it's an absorbent for grease and oil. Test a hidden spot first, since it is described only as an absorbent for grease and oil. Use it only on the grease and oil jobs described above.
Does flour stain?
Flour staining is not addressed here. The absorbents named are cornstarch, cornmeal and talcum powder, and flour is not among them. Stick to those named powders for oily stains.
Does colored corn starch stain?
Colored cornstarch is not mentioned in these examples. The examples use cornstarch, cornmeal and talcum powder, so use those for oily stains. Test a hidden spot before trying any new powder on fabric or a finished surface.
Can cornstarch be used on carpet?
Yes, you can sprinkle cornstarch on carpets to help remove stains and odors. Its stain work is described only for grease and oil, so match it to those stains.
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Sources
Every verdict, amount and warning here comes from these sources.