If you work as a mechanic or constantly come in contact with motor oil, getting motor oil in your clothes shouldn’t be surprising.
Now, imagine that the oil gets into your favorite clothes, and you need to get it out. Yeah, that’s what I thought. In this article, you will learn about the different easy ways to get motor oil out of clothes.
How to Get Motor Oil Out of Clothes
Water is not exactly the best way to remove oil stains from clothes unless mixed with a detergent because grease does not mix well; however, there are better ways to get motor oil out of clothes.
Here are ten different ways to get motor oil out of clothes below:
1. Aloe Vera Gel
Rub the aloe vera on the part of the cloth affected with motor oil, then scrub it gently with a toothbrush to avoid damaging the fabric. Allow the Aloe Vera gel to soak in for an hour before putting it in the washing machine with warm water. Air dry afterward to make sure the stain is gone.
2. Use Brake Clean
Brake Clean is an excellent chemical for dissolving oil—Motor oil or any other oil on your cloth. To use the brake clean, go to a well-ventilated area, put a rag behind the oil stain and spray the Brake Clean on the oil.
Dab the wet stain with the rag until the oil is gone. Wash the clothing alone in hot water to remove the Brake Clean smell. It is advisable to wear goggles to protect your eyes when you use the chemical; it is also advisable to heed the precautions on the can.
3. By Presoaking
Presoaking is the best way to ensure that the detergent has enough time to settle into your cloth to battle the dirt or grease stains. Ensure you soak the stained cloth in hot water while then using your old toothbrush to carefully rub in some dish soap and leave for about two hours before throwing it in the washing machine.
4. Baking Soda
You can use baking soda to draw the grease stain out of the fabric. To use it, lay your clothing flat while placing an old towel under the stain, sprinkling baking soda on the grease, and letting it sit for about 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, scrape off the baking soda—Wash clothing with hot water and dry according to your clothing’s label.
5. Shampoo
The shampoo has a chemical that makes it easier to find dirt. Use it as a pre-treatment by rubbing it in on the stain, then let it sit for a few minutes. Use a soft sponge to add a bit of pressure to the stain after a few minutes. Then rinse with warm water and leave to dry.
6. Acetone
Acetone is an excellent organic solvent that attracts oil molecules, bonds with them, and weakens the stain. Acetone can be harsh on clothes, so you can try it out on a small area of the garment first to be sure that it is usable, fill oily stains with the acetone, and rinse it off after ten minutes.
After this, you should use dishwashing detergent to take care of the rest of the stain.
7. Dish Soap
First, lay the clothing on a flat surface and place a piece of cardboard or an old towel under the stain to prevent the soap from spreading to other parts of the garment. And also, to make the cleaning process more manageable, clean as much motor oil stain as possible lightly with a paper towel. Avoid rubbing on the stain, as it will spread deeper into the fabric.
Then apply a few drops of dish soap to the stain and scrub it with an old toothbrush or your hands; continue until the stain has completely disappeared. Then, wash it in warm water in the washing machine and air dry it. Always check the washing care label to determine the maximum temperature of your clothing before air drying.
8. Baking Soda And Vinegar
Sprinkle baking soda on the stain and let it sit for about 30 minutes. It is recommended that you leave an old or stubborn stain overnight. Ensure the stain is entirely covered, allowing the baking soda to absorb the oil.
Use a soft brush to take off excess powder, and then mix some white vinegar with some water in a spray bottle before spraying directly onto the stain. Use an old toothbrush to scrub the area with soap and water.
If your cloth or fabric is delicate, you can apply light pressure when cleaning them to protect it from damage. When you can’t see the stain, carefully dry the material with a dry cloth and allow it to dry completely. You can also wash it in the washing machine with hot water as the cloth label prescribes.
9. Baby Powder
This method can come in handy if the motor oil stain on your cloth is still fresh, so if you have baby powder in hand, put it to work to remove your fresh grease or oil stains. To do so, lay your clothing on a flat surface and sprinkle some baby powder. Let the baby powder set for about 10 minutes and set it off with a toothbrush.
10. Cornstarch
This is another fine powder that can help in cleaning oil stains. Pour a small amount of cornstarch on the stain and let it sit for at least 15 minutes, or up to an hour or more. After sitting for the required time, use a toothbrush, damp sponge, or rag to remove the cornstarch.
Then wash the garment in a washing machine in a cold setting and dry it according to your clothing’s label.
Note: Using common household cleaners, like dish detergent, baking soda, or cornstarch, to remove grease or oil stains from your clothes will take a bit of time and effort.