Asked on Nov 09, 2012

How to get sticky grease off of glass?

Jeanine Wester
by Jeanine Wester
Any tips on how to get greasy residue off of glass? I just bought some delicate glass "shades" for some wall sconces I have. They are covered in something really tough to get off. I tried Windex and it got a little off. Then just soap and water and that got some more, but I could be here a long time trying different things unless someone has something a little more powerful. Thanks for the help! (can't use anything abrasive, it might hurt the finish so nothing baking soda)
  31 answers
  • Mary Insana Mary Insana on Nov 09, 2012
    You can try Goo Gone, or use a fabric softner sheet with diluted Dawn dish on it,Goof Off.
  • Carroll A Carroll A on Nov 09, 2012
    Have you tried Goo Gone maybe it's not grease? I would also try Krud Kutter.
  • Debra D Debra D on Nov 09, 2012
    WD 40 will take off sticky stuff.
  • WD 40 works great for that. I agree, but Goof off works well also
  • Mary Insana Mary Insana on Nov 09, 2012
    I was going to say WD40 too. I've also used Pam pan spray in a pinch.
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Nov 10, 2012
    I have washed some glass lamp shades in my dishwasher.
  • Val L Val L on Nov 10, 2012
    peanutbutter
  • Lyndi F Lyndi F on Nov 10, 2012
    You must keep Krud Kutter in your home. It's great for lots of things, especially this.
  • Celeste W Celeste W on Nov 10, 2012
    Cigarette lighter fluid is first in my line of defense on price tags and anything sticky. Almost always works miracles (I buy 8 ounce containers).
  • Marta S Marta S on Nov 10, 2012
    Goo Gone works well for me but not the gel, the liquid. Oil products dissolve the glue.
  • Anita VanRoekel Anita VanRoekel on Nov 10, 2012
    There is a product called "Remove" that is used in hospitals, nursing homes, ect that should work. Look for it at places that sell surgical supplies like Medicine Chest
  • Shoestring Amy Shoestring Amy on Nov 10, 2012
    Regular ol' olive oil will do the job. Just keep in mind oils remove oils. (Even on oily faces!)
  • Janet Pressley Janet Pressley on Nov 10, 2012
    Rubbing alcohol. Preferably in a spray bottle.
  • Melanie Melanie on Nov 11, 2012
    I was going to suggest baking soda. I use it on glass all the time and have never had scratches as a result of its use. Maybe some lemon juice mixed with your soap? It's natural and non abrasive. Never tried it but thought I'd offer a thought....
  • Jeanine Wester Jeanine Wester on Nov 11, 2012
    Thanks for all of the suggestions! I never thought of so many different options. I've heard good things about goo gone, but I will try some of the homemade solutions first. Free is my first choice. And we always have WD40 around so I will try that as well. I never knew you could use that to remove residue! Thanks everyone.
  • Gail Salminen Gail Salminen on Nov 11, 2012
    @Jeanine Wester - I find the best glass cleaner is scrubbing bubbles - works great for lime build up on shower 1doors and windows that haven't been cleaned in a long time, and with minimal effort For vases, I soak them in water with baking soda and then scrub them lightly with a sponge with dish washing soap. Both work great. Let us all know what works best for you!
  • There are a lot of things that wonder chemical WD-40 can do and cannot do. Here is a link from Snopes that will outline the true facts. Scroll to bottom. http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/wd-40.asp And I stand corrected, it is NOT fish oil as I once was lead to believe. so oops on me.
  • Margita Margita on Nov 11, 2012
    Rub peanut butter into the residue and let it sit for a little while (15-20 min.). Then wipe off the peanut butter with a paper towel and wash your glass with dish detergent. This works for me every time I am trying to get labels of containers.
  • Gail Salminen Gail Salminen on Nov 11, 2012
    Be careful in how you use WD-40. I worked for a product safety organization in my past life and we had respiratory complaints when using this product for other than it was intended for. It does indicate to use in a well ventilated area, but people tend to ignore that warning when using for a different purpose. Always follow the warnings and directions for any product.
  • Nancy M Nancy M on Nov 11, 2012
    Try "Un-du". It's liquid. It's for sticker, tape & label remover. It's acid free and photo safe so should be ok on your glass. I use it for scrapbooking. Works great for removing grease, tar, gum, candle wax and more. The price isn't too bad. Kind of hard to find sometimes. I think I found mine at Michaels. Walmart use to sell it. You'll find it in the scrapbooking area I think. Good luck!
  • Terri J Terri J on Nov 14, 2012
    De-Greaser sold by automotive stores - diluted or full force depending on how bad the surface is has always worked for me. Once the grease is gone - clean with Windex, vinegar and water or whatever.
  • Jeanine Wester Jeanine Wester on Nov 14, 2012
    Thanks everyone!
  • Cindy Cindy on Dec 11, 2014
    You guys are crazy if you use all of these chemicals on you glassware! Dish soap and water get it OFF! And a good hot rinse! BUT My question is why it a appears???? I have found it on ANY of my glass ware that I do not use regularly. My last house had hard water and this house we have a water softener [ Well water]. So that is not the issue. I always guessed it was some weird reaction with dust....BUT...... today I unwrapped an Apothecary Jar; deep in a closet, wrapped in 2 sheets of packing paper AND a plastic bag...it was so disgustingly greasy!!! I sure wish I could figure out this phenomenon...If any one has accurate answers I sure would like to know !!!!
    • Mauricio Zamarripa Mauricio Zamarripa on Oct 22, 2020

      Sorry but dish soap and warm water only if your cleaning your glasses. My glasses have almost permanent stains from oils from my face and my eyes make an imprint on the glass. I’ve already tried toothpaste, dish soap, bleach, rubbing alcohol and the stains remain. I’ll try some of these suggestions. I’ve been told to just get a new pair of glasses.

  • Tomesha Kennedy Tomesha Kennedy on Dec 25, 2014
    why suggestions of others are CRAZY??? thxs all for ur suggestions... they all were helpful!!!
  • Tomesha Kennedy Tomesha Kennedy on Dec 25, 2014
    I just tried baking soda and that did the trick!!!! Thxs Melanie :-)
    • Bella Bella on Jul 26, 2015
      Brilliant! You and Melanie are brilliant! Just tried this and it was so easy! Thank you!
  • Ahtram Tocss Ahtram Tocss on Aug 01, 2015
    Dawn and hot water works for me!
  • Cindy Cindy on Aug 02, 2015
    Washing them is the easy part. BUT what makes a hazy greasy-like film appear AFTER washing and drying the glasses, after a few months. It isn't dust, we do not smoke and I hate cooking with grease. It is such a mystery to me.
    • Cindy Cindy on Oct 23, 2020

      WOW...I wish someone had the answer to this dilemma. I have written to the Outside /Inside Guys about this and they do not know either. Maybe it is a chemical reaction to the Dish soap...that can never be totally rinsed away? I have to wash my glasses about twice a year...actually it gets like that on other dishwater also...you are just not noticing it>

  • ADifferentDirec ADifferentDirec on Aug 05, 2015
    Stanley degreaser works wonders. Very concentrated so a bottle will make several bottles which you can vary the strength.
  • Jud1016678 Jud1016678 on Apr 11, 2016
    I use degreaser a lot! Especially on stains on clothes! I tried Oxyclean and Shout, but the degreaser got greasy chili stain out!
  • Loretta Loretta on Dec 02, 2016

    Zep orange degreaser/cleaner from Home Depot. Smells wonderful as well since it is orange oil based. Then you can use it later for your stove fan cover that gets dirty and greasy, works fantastic. I used to be a dental assistant many years ago and we a,ways used orange oil for cleaning many products off of instruments.

  • Pat Pat on Oct 23, 2020

    Dawn dish soap and hot water. Soak for awhile and then rinse. When all else fails, wash it in the dishwasher (if small enough.}