Enzyme Cleaner for Oil and Grease Stains (Lipase)

Most enzyme cleaners are built for protein stains like urine and blood. Oil and grease stains need a different enzyme: lipase. Lipase breaks down fats and oils the way protease breaks down proteins. If you’ve been using a pet stain enzyme cleaner on grease and it didn’t work, that’s the reason.

Here’s which enzyme (lipase) targets oil and grease, the best products for oil stains, and step-by-step cleaning for driveways, kitchen grease, and clothing.

Why Most Enzyme Cleaners Don’t Work on Oil

This is the most common misunderstanding about enzyme cleaners. People grab a bottle of pet stain remover, spray it on a grease stain, and wonder why nothing happens. The answer is simple: wrong enzyme.

Most pet-focused enzyme cleaners contain protease (targets proteins) and sometimes amylase (targets starches). Oil and grease are lipids. They need lipase.

Here’s the breakdown:

For a deeper explanation of enzyme types, read about protease, lipase, and amylase explained. For general enzyme science, see how enzyme cleaners work.

Best Enzyme Cleaners with Lipase

Not many consumer enzyme cleaners include lipase. Here are the ones that do.

Prices reflect listings at time of writing and may change.

Biokleen Bac-Out (Best All-Purpose with Lipase)

Biokleen Bac-Out enzyme cleaner (~$13.49, 4.4 stars) contains lipase along with protease and amylase, making it one of the most versatile enzyme cleaners available. It handles kitchen grease, food spills, and light oil stains well. The plant-based formula is non-toxic and safe for food-preparation surfaces.

Green Gobbler (Best for Heavy Grease)

Green Gobbler enzyme cleaner (~$19.99, 4.4 stars) has an enzyme formula designed for grease and organic buildup. It works well both as a surface cleaner and as a drain treatment for grease-clogged kitchen drains. It’s the strongest option for heavy grease situations.

ECOS Pet (Budget Enzyme with Lipase)

ECOS Pet enzyme cleaner (~$8.99, 4.2 stars) uses plant-derived enzymes including lipase. The mild formula makes it a good choice for treating grease stains on clothing and for light kitchen cleanup. It’s the most affordable lipase-containing option.

Cleaning Oil Stains on Driveways and Concrete

Motor oil, transmission fluid, and automotive grease are common driveway problems. Enzyme cleaners can handle them, but the process takes more time than indoor cleaning because concrete is porous and absorbs oil deep.

Follow these steps:

1. Absorb excess oil. Sprinkle cat litter or baking soda on the stain. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Sweep it up. This pulls out the surface oil so the enzymes can work on what’s absorbed into the concrete.
2. Apply enzyme cleaner. Pour a lipase-based enzyme cleaner directly on the stain. Use enough to soak into the concrete pores.
3. Scrub with a stiff brush. Work the cleaner into the concrete surface with a stiff-bristled brush. This pushes the enzymes into the pores where the oil is trapped.
4. Cover with plastic sheeting. Tape down a sheet of plastic over the treated area. Enzymes need moisture and time to work, and outdoor conditions dry them out quickly.
5. Wait 24-48 hours. Concrete absorbs oil deep, so enzymes need much longer contact time than carpet or fabric.
6. Rinse and repeat if needed. Pressure wash or scrub with warm water. Old stains may need a second application.

Cleaning Kitchen Grease with Enzymes

Stovetop splatters, range hood filters, and countertop grease respond well to lipase-based enzyme cleaners. The advantage over chemical degreasers: enzyme cleaners are non-toxic and safe for food-preparation surfaces.

1. Wipe excess grease. Use paper towels to remove any surface grease before applying the cleaner.
2. Spray enzyme cleaner. Apply a lipase-based cleaner to the greasy surface. Cover the area completely.
3. Let sit 15-30 minutes. Kitchen grease is usually fresh and needs less dwell time than driveway oil.
4. Wipe with a damp cloth. The enzymes will have loosened the grease for easy removal. Rinse the surface with clean water.
5. For range hood filters: Remove the filters and soak them in a basin with enzyme cleaner for 2-4 hours. Scrub with a brush, rinse, and let dry before reinstalling.

For kitchen-specific enzyme cleaning, see our guide on enzyme cleaner for kitchen odors.

For commercial kitchen applications, read about enzyme cleaners for restaurant kitchens.

Removing Grease Stains from Clothing

Cooking oil, butter, salad dressing, and automotive grease on fabric all need the same approach: lipase enzymes and patience.

1. Don’t put it in the dryer first. This is the most important rule. Heat from a dryer sets grease stains permanently. If you’ve already dried the garment, enzyme treatment may lighten the stain but full removal is unlikely.
2. Apply enzyme cleaner directly. Rub a lipase-based enzyme cleaner into the stain. Work it into the fabric with your fingers.
3. Let sit 30-60 minutes. Give the lipase enzymes time to break down the grease molecules.
4. Wash in warm water. Cold water won’t dissolve the loosened grease. Warm (not hot) water helps flush the broken-down fats out of the fabric.
5. Check before drying. Look at the garment after washing. If the stain is still visible, repeat the enzyme treatment before machine drying. Once heat from the dryer hits a grease stain, it’s set.

For more on enzyme cleaners and laundry, see our guide to the best enzyme cleaners for laundry.

Enzyme Cleaner vs Chemical Degreaser

Both options clean grease. The difference is speed, safety, and what types of grease each handles best.

When to use each: Enzyme cleaners are the better choice for household kitchen grease, food-prep surfaces, and clothing stains. Chemical degreasers are better for heavy-duty industrial grease, mechanic shop floors, and situations where speed matters more than safety.

For most home situations, an enzyme cleaner with lipase does the job safely and effectively. Save chemical degreasers for the garage workshop.

For related surface cleaning, check our guide on enzyme cleaner for tile and grout. You can also learn about enzyme cleaner for hardwood floors and find more options in our list of best pet stain and odor removers.

Lipase and Food Safety

Enzyme cleaners with lipase are a good fit for food-prep areas because they’re biodegradable and non-toxic. The EPA Safer Choice program certifies cleaning products that meet strict safety standards, and several enzyme cleaners carry this label. The EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning is another resource for checking product safety ratings.

For more on how different enzymes target different stain types, see our article on which products are enzyme cleaners. The NCBI’s guide to enzyme function covers the underlying biology.