Hints From Heloise

Dear Heloise: Would you please tell me how to get grease off wallpaper? I have just had my kitchen redone and am sick about this. Liz Snider, Richmond, Texas

Don’t worry, I have a couple of solutions you can try.

The first is to make a paste of baking soda and a little water. Gently dab the paste on the grease stain and let it set for a while until it is dry. Once dry, use a soft-bristle brush or clean white cloth and brush away. For really greasy stains, you may need to repeat.

If the baking soda trick doesn’t work, you will need to go to a stronger cleaner. Dry-cleaning solvent spot remover (found in supermarkets in the laundry aisle) may just do the trick.

Before applying the solvent to the stain, you must test in a hidden area to make sure it won’t lift the color. If all is OK, simply apply to a clean white cloth and gently blot, never rub, the area until the stain has disappeared. Hope this helps. - Heloise