How to remove Bacon Grease from Teak Outdoor Wood
First 60 seconds
Move fast, but move carefully. Blot — do not wipe the bacon grease from the teak outdoor wood, working from the outside edge of the stain inward so it cannot spread any further. Rendered animal fat re-solidifies as it cools, so chilling it briefly makes lifting easier, and a naturally oily hardwood bred for weather resistance, tougher than most indoor woods.
What you'll need
- Cornstarch or talcum powder
- Dish soap
- Baking soda
Step by step
- Gather your materials before you start — set out everything so you are not searching mid-treatment.
- Cornstarch or talcum powder: bury the spot in powder to pull the oil out.
- Dish soap: mix a few drops with cold water into a light suds.
- Baking soda: make a paste with water and let it sit before brushing off.
- Rinse and blot dry with a clean cloth, then press with dry towels and change them until no more transfers onto the towel.
Do not do this
- Hot water as a first step. It spreads oil-based stains before they can be lifted.
- Wiping side to side. It spreads the stain into a wider area — blot straight down instead.
Common questions
Can I use hot water to remove bacon grease from teak outdoor wood?
No. Heat sets this type of stain permanently, so always start with cold water and check the surface stays cool throughout treatment.
Is it safe to scrub the stain out?
Scrubbing usually makes things worse. Blot or lift instead of rubbing, working from the outer edge inward so the stain does not spread.
What if the bacon grease stain has already dried?
A dried stain takes longer and may need repeated treatments, but the same agents still work — just re-wet the area gently first to reactivate the stain before treating it.