Did you know that motor oil is one of the most common clothing stains? That’s because it’s also one of the most common clothing protectors. No matter how careful we are, spills happen. How you react to them is what matters. There’s no need to panic when motor oil or another kind of stain strikes your clothes. All you need is a little bit of strategy and some willingness to get your hands dirty. You just need the right tools and some insider information on how to remove set-in motor oil stains from clothes.
How To Remove Set In Motor Oil Stains From Clothes?
Use Shaving Cream To Remove Motor Oil Stains
This first cleaning method works great for cleaning up oil stains from fabric, as well as removing set-in stains from all sorts of washable surfaces. Shaving cream is extremely effective at removing oil and grease stains because it contains special cleaning agents designed to break up and remove oils and dirt. Shaving cream can be used for nearly any fabric type, making it a great go-to product for cleaning oily stains on your clothes. Follow these simple steps to remove a motor oil stain from fabric with shaving cream: – First, blot the stain with a dry cloth to remove any excess oil. – Next, apply a small amount of shaving cream (applied directly to the fabric) and gently rub until the stain disappears. – Finally, rinse the area with cold water and dry completely.
Try A Grease-Fighting Dish Detergent
If you’ve already tried using shaving cream to remove motor oil stains and it didn’t work, then you might want to look into a grease-fighting dish detergent. Grease-fighting dish soaps are formulated with ingredients like sodium carbonate (which can break down fats and oils), citrus extracts (which help freshen fabrics and lift stains), and enzymes (which break down proteins and food particles). These soaps are designed especially for cleaning greasy messes and stains, making them a great choice for removing oil stains from fabrics. Follow these steps to remove a motor oil stain from fabric with a grease-fighting dish detergent: – First, blot the stain with a dry cloth to remove any excess oil. – Next, mix one part dish detergent with nine parts warm water. – Next, apply the mixture directly to the stained fabric and let it sit for 30 minutes. – After 30 minutes, blot up the stain with a clean, dry cloth. – Finally, rinse the area with cold water and dry completely.
Try Shoe Shine Spray
Shoe shine sprays are excellent for cleaning up oil stains from fabrics because they are made up primarily of water, alcohol, and vinegar. Given that motor oil is primarily comprised of hydrocarbons (organic compounds composed of hydrogen and carbon), an organic solvent like vinegar is an excellent choice for stripping away these oils from fabrics. Follow these steps to remove a motor oil stain from fabric with a shoe shine spray: – First, blot the stain with a dry cloth to remove any excess oil. – Next, mix one part of the shoe shine spray with nine parts of warm water. – Next, apply the mixture directly to the stained fabric and let it sit for 30 minutes. – After 30 minutes, blot up the stain with a clean, dry cloth. – Finally, rinse the area with cold water and dry completely.
Turn To Vinegar
Like shoe shine sprays, vinegar is another organic solvent that can be used to clean up oil stains from fabrics. Vinegar is a great cleaning product because it is completely natural (made from fermented fruit and vegetable matter) and thus biodegradable and safe for nearly all fabrics. Vinegar is often used for cleaning because it has a very low pH level that helps it break down and remove oils and dirt from fabrics. Follow these steps to remove a motor oil stain from fabric with vinegar: – First, blot the stain with a dry cloth to remove any excess oil. – Next, mix one part vinegar with nine parts warm water. – Next, apply the mixture directly to the stained fabric and let it sit for 30 minutes. – After 30 minutes, blot up the stain with a clean, dry cloth. – Finally, rinse the area with cold water and dry completely. – For best results, turn the garment inside out and repeat the process on the other side.
Try A Professional Dry Cleaning Solvent
If you’ve tried all of the other methods listed above and you’re still struggling to remove those pesky motor oil stains, then it might be time to break out the big guns. A professional dry cleaning solvent is a very strong cleaning solution that can break down even the most set-in stains and oils. Many dry cleaners (especially the larger ones) have cleaning agents on hand that is designed specifically for removing heavy stains like motor oil. Follow these steps to remove a motor oil stain from fabric with a professional cleaning solvent: – First, blot the stain with a dry cloth to remove any excess oil. – Next, take the garment to a professional dry cleaner. – Let the cleaner know that you have an oil stain on the fabric and ask them to use the strongest cleaning solution that they have on hand. – For best results, let the cleaner know that you would like to have the garments back as soon as possible after the stain has been removed.
What Do You Need To Remove A Set In Motor Oil Stain?
To remove a set-in stain of any sort, you need the perfect tools for the job. To remove a set-in stain, you need the right solvent to lift the stain, the right tools to apply the solvent, and a bit of patience. Here are the things you need to remove a set-in stain of any kind. –
- A solvent appropriate to the stain: Certain solvents are better at removing certain stains. For example, gasoline and kerosene are great at removing motor oil stains, and alcohol is great at removing set-in red wine stains.
- A brush or sponge: You’ll need a way to apply the solvent to the stain. A brush or sponge will work well, but you should avoid using your hands.
- Something to protect your clothes: You don’t want to ruin your clothes while trying to remove a stain. Protect your clothes by covering them with a plastic sheet or a plastic bag.
How To Remove Dried Motor Oil Stains From Clothes?
If you’ve been careful about keeping your garments stain-free, but you still have set-in stains on a garment, don’t worry. There’s still a chance you can save the garment. You just need to be more careful about how you remove the stain. Here are a few tips for removing set-in stains from your clothes, whether they’re old or new.
- Carefully: There’s no point in trying to be more aggressive or reckless than you need to be. You can damage your clothes if you’re too aggressive. You’re better off being careful.
- Time: Set-in stains take longer to remove than fresh stains. Be patient and don’t give up. There’s no point in putting more effort into the stain than it deserves.
- Test: Always test an old stain remover on a swatch of the fabric before trying it on your garment.
Tips To Prevent Motor Oil Stains
- Keep your hands clean: It might sound silly, but the first step to avoiding stains is to keep your hands clean. This is especially true when you’re around cars. Wearing gloves is also a good idea.
- Don’t mix fabrics: Some fabrics mix together better than others. Cotton and polyester are often used together, but cotton and wool are not. If you mix fabrics together in a garment, you might be more likely to get stains.
- Use the right product: If you’re using a stain remover, make sure you’re using the right one for the stain. If you don’t know what to use, try a product designed for automotive fluids.
- Remove the stain as soon as possible: The quicker you remove the stain, the better your chances are of removing the stain. This is especially true with oil-based stains.
Conclusion
There’s nothing quite as satisfying as cleaning a stain and getting your garment as good as new. Stains are a part of life, but they don’t have to be a part of your life. There are plenty of ways you can prevent stains from happening in the first place. If you do get a stain, don’t panic. There are plenty of ways to remove stains, including setting in motor oil. All you need is a little bit of strategy and some insider knowledge to remove set-in motor oil stains from clothes.
