Keeping your car well-maintained is essential for its performance and longevity. Regular services, oil changes, and other maintenance procedures ensure that your car runs smoothly for as long as possible. However, things don’t always go according to plan. Accidents happen, motors break down, and oils leak. Motors drip – lots! There are many ways oils can end up on our clothes – from a messy mechanic to an oil leak under the hood. Whatever the source of motor oil on your clothes, there are simple ways to remove it without ruining your wardrobe or risking your health. You just need the right ingredients and some time on your hands. Keep reading for useful tips and tricks on how to get motor oil out of clothes safely and effectively.
How To Get Motor Oil Out Of Clothes?
- When washing your clothes, add a quarter cup of Dawn to the load. If you have clothes that can’t go in the washing machine, you can soak them in a bucket with a quarter cup of Dawn for up to 30 minutes. It’s best to wash these clothes again before wearing them. You can also use Dawn to clean fabrics that you use often, like car seats, chairs, and couches. Just add a quarter cup to a spray bottle of water and spray on the fabric. Use Dawn dishwashing liquid. Dawn breaks down the oil and washes out of clothes easily.
- Add a dollop of Dawn dish soap to a bucket filled with water. Dip the stained clothing into the bucket and swish it around to get the grease out. Soak the clothes for up to 30 minutes before washing them again in warm water with detergent.
- Add one cup of Dawn dishwashing liquid to a bucket filled with warm water. Dip the stained clothing into the bucket and swish it around to get the grease out. Soak the clothes for up to 30 minutes before washing them again in warm water with detergent.
- Put on rubber gloves and rub Dawn dish soap directly onto your hands and forearms to remove motor oil from your skin, if you’ve had an accident while changing the oil or working on your car, or if you’ve been cleaning your car engine or undercarriage and got motor oil all over yourself, clothes, or other items that can be washed in a washing machine.
- Use Dawn dishwashing liquid when washing fabrics that are heavily soiled with motor oil like jeans, work uniforms, work shirts, jackets, and more for best results when getting motor oil out of clothes without ruining them or causing staining that is difficult to remove later on during laundering when using other types of cleaners like laundry detergents or laundry stain removers like Shout Advanced Gel Stick Stain Remover.
- Use Dawn dishwashing liquid at full strength (one cup) as an emergency stain remover for bloodstained clothing.
- Use Dawn dishwashing liquid to get motor oil out of leather shoes or boots by adding a few drops to a bucket of warm water and soaking the shoes or boots for up to 30 minutes and then washing them in the washing machine.
- Use Dawn dishwashing liquid as an emergency stain remover for bloodstained clothing.
- Use Dawn dishwashing liquid as an emergency stain remover for fresh grease stains on clothing that has been laundered before they have had time to set in (if you catch it right away). Just add a few drops of Dawn dish soap to a bucket of warm water and soak the dirty clothes for up to 30 minutes, then launder them again with detergent at normal temperature.
- Add one cup of Dawn dish soap to a bucket filled with warm water, dip the stained clothing into it and swish it around to get the grease out, then soak the clothes overnight before washing again in warm water with detergent at normal temperature.
Other Tips To Get Oil Out Of Cloths
Soak and pre-wash
If the garment is large, like an oil-stained coat, you can soak it in a mixture of warm water, detergent, and a bit of baking soda or washing soda for a few hours. If the motor oil is fresh and the garment is smaller, like a pair of jeans, you can pre-wash it by rubbing a bit of detergent on the stain and rinsing it out. For fresh stains, use hot water and a stain remover. If the stain is stubborn, freeze the garment in a plastic bag and let it sit overnight, or put it in the freezer for a few hours. This will harden the oil and make it easier to remove. For old stains, use warm water and a bit of detergent or washing soda.
Using detergent
If the motor oil stain is fresh and has been pre-treated with baking soda, clean it with a bit of baking soda and water. You can also use detergent for fresh stains. Add a bit of soap or detergent to a bucket of warm water and soak the stained garment in it for a few hours. If the stain is old and has been pre-treated with washing soda, use warm water and a bit of washing soda to clean it. You can also use detergent for old stains. Add a bit of soap or detergent to a bucket of warm water and soak the stained garment in it for a few hours.
Vinegar to the rescue
If you have tried everything and the stains are still there, don’t lose hope just yet. You can try vinegar to remove the stain. Make a solution of water and vinegar and soak the stained garment in it for a few hours. Or, if the stain is fresh, rub a bit of vinegar on the stain and let it sit for a few hours. The stain should come off. If it doesn’t, repeat the process. If you’re finished using the motor oil, you can use it to clean your hands. Just make sure it’s diluted because it is toxic when undiluted. You can dip your hands in the diluted oil and rub them together. Then, use clean water to wash the oil off.
Conclusion
Keeping your car in good shape is essential for safe and efficient driving. Regular services, oil changes, and other maintenance procedures ensure that your car runs smoothly for as long as possible. However, things don’t always go according to plan. Accidents happen, motors break down, and oils leak, sometimes onto your clothes. Motor oils drip – lots!