Your clothes will inevitably get dirty when working on a car. The only thing worse than getting your nice clothes dirty is trying to get the dirt out. This stain removal process can be especially frustrating if dealing with grease stains. These stains can swiftly destroy your garments if not removed as soon as possible. As such, educating yourself on removing automobile oil from clothes can allow you to save the clothes rather than having to buy new ones. Luckily, there are many different ways you can use or combine different products to get those pesky greasy spots out.
1- Clean the Clothes with WD-40
WD-40 is a multipurpose lubricant that can be used to clean all sorts of things, including clothes stained with automotive grease. You just need to spray the WD-40 onto the fabric, let it sit for a minute or two, and then rub it in with a wet cloth. Finally, rinse the area with warm water and repeat if necessary.
2- Use Dish Soap as a Stain Remover
Dish soap can also be effective at removing car grease from clothes where you have no access to WD-40. Just mix some dish soap (a few drops should do) with some water in a small bowl or cup and apply it to the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub it in with a toothbrush or other brush. The final action is rinsing the cloth off with warm water.
3- Use Ammonia to Remove Oil Stains
Using ammonia can be very effective at removing greasy stains. The trick behind this method is that ammonia will break down oils in fabric, making them easier to wash out later on. Basically, it involves spraying some household cleaner containing ammonium hydroxide onto the garment (or directly into the washer) before washing it like usual.
4- Use Baby Powder to Absorb Stains
Baby powder can be a great way to absorb the grease and remove it later on. This method is common where your clothes are stained with car oil, but there is no time to soak or wash them. Simply apply some baby powder directly onto the stains and let it sit for as long as possible before washing it out in warm water. This method works best if you have access to iron to apply pressure after applying the powder.
5- Use Paper Towels to Absorb Stains
This is a simple method that can remove grease from clothes without worrying about rinsing afterward. Just lay some paper towels on top of the oil stains and use an iron set on medium heat (the steam function also works). This is necessary for extracting all of the greases out of your garments. This trick is helpful if you need a quick fix for greasy clothing but do not have access to other cleaning supplies.
6- Use Baking Soda to Absorb Odors
Successfully removing all of the greases from your clothes is not necessarily the end of the process. Sometimes, the removal process leaves an unpleasant odor on the clothes. In such a case, baking soda can help absorb the smell and leave your clothes smelling fresh again. The initial step involves sprinkling some baking soda onto the stain (or into the air if you are trying to remove odors from an entire load of laundry), let it sit for a few hours, and then rinse it off.