Tips for Removing Motor Oil or Grease Stains

Motor oil and grease stains are a common occurrence for many boys and men who still prefer to tinker with their own automobiles instead of taking them to the shop for repair. When motor oil gets on a good shirt or a pair of pants, removing the stain can be a lengthy but not impossible process.

Removing motor oil stains - get rid of the excess oil

When a motor oil stain occurs it is important to get rid of the excess oil before the stain spreads. If you are in a shop grab a few shop towels and begin to dab at the oil. Use a very deliberate motion to pull off the excess oil without spreading it outwards in any direction.

Removing motor oil stains - the initial spray of stain remover

Should it be possible remove the shirt and immediately submerge the stained portion of the garment in stain remover. A spray will work best as it can be applied directly to the affected area without any additional rubbing in of the product or manual spreading until the actual stain removal beings. At this point, if necessary, the shirt can be left to soak in the stain remover while the car repair is finished.

Removing motor oil stains - the scrubbing

Be as careful as possible when scrubbing your motor oil stain to avoid spreading the stain outside of the area it already inhabits. Use the fingertips, fingernails, or a very small stiff bristled brush to scrub the fabric thoroughly. Rinse off the fabric as cleanly as possible and examine the remnants of the initial stain. If it is still prominent follow up again with more stain remover and then rinse.

Removing motor oil stains - laundry detergent

After you have the stain faded to a low-key point with the stain remover product, use your favorite clear detergent on the stain to begin the agitation process that will be continued within the washing machine unit. TipKing.co.uk suggests that a clear laundry detergent is best utilized at this point in the process.

Removing motor oil stains - the actual wash

Good Housekeeping recommends washing the motor oil stained clothing in extremely warm water and then drying as usual. After washing in extremely hot water though, it is very important to double check the stain again before drying.

Before the garment goes into the dryer there is still an opportunity to re-follow the process laid out above, but after the heat of the dryer reaches into the motor oil stain in your favorite shirt or pair of pants any future attempts at stain removal will prove largely futile.

Additional Sources:

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/stain-buster/stains-motor-oil-grease-may07. 12 May 2010.