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Engine oil stains are considered the most difficult to remove. Therefore, to work in the garage, it is worth using clothes that, in which case, it is not a pity to throw them away. However, if a stain from machine oil appears on clean “ceremonial” linen, you should not send the item to the trash – the contamination can still be removed.
We’ve put together a few ways to get machine oil out of your clothes.
Ways to clean engine oil at home
You can remove engine oil from clothes with improvised means:
You will need dishwashing liquid. Best of all Fairy or similar – related to the “medium-high” class. Apply it to the dirty area, wait fifteen minutes, then pat dry with a tissue or paper towel. Wash the item by hand. This method is suitable for cleaning fresh stains on delicate and thin fabrics. Each product contains a component that dissolves fat.
Kerosene is also known as an engine oil solvent. Put on gloves. Pour a little kerosene on the polluted area. Gather the fat with a tissue, moving from the center to the edges. After this method, white stains will remain on the garment, which can only be removed by washing in a washing machine.
Greasy traces of engine oil (or attempts to remove it) can be removed with chalk or talcum powder. Crumble the chalk, then sprinkle it on the stain. Wait 10-15 minutes. Then gently shake off the crumbs, prepare a soapy solution and wash the clothes. If there is no chalk or talc, use salt. Also sprinkle it on the contaminated area. Fat will be absorbed into the crystals. After that, you can manually wash the thing.
The following method is suitable for dense and denim. Scrub the marks well with a piece of laundry soap, and then go over them with a coarse brush. If stains still remain, repeat the procedure. Mechanical cleaning does not harm such fabrics.
If the stain left by machine oil is old, then you can use another effective solvent – ammonia. Wear gloves to avoid chemical burns. Mix turpentine and ammonia in equal proportions. Apply the resulting mixture to the fabric, wait 10-15 minutes. After that, rinse the canvas in soapy water. This method is more suitable for denim.
If a silk shirt gets oil drops, toothpaste will do. This unusual method can be used when cleaning very delicate fabrics from fresh traces. Gently apply a little paste to the contaminated area. Wait until it dries completely. Then wash off the paste with water and soap.
Mustard powder can help deal with pollution. Gently sprinkle a little powder on the fabric, add water, soap and rub with a brush. Then repeat the procedure again until the stain is completely gone.
Laundry soap can also be used to remove oil stains from clothing. Grate a dry bar on a coarse grater. Mix with a little water to form a paste. Apply this mixture to the affected area and leave to dry completely. Then rub it well with a stiff brush, and send it to the washing machine. This option is suitable for washing pants made of very dense fabric.
If there are no chemicals at hand, but there is an iron, you can use it. This option is suitable for both fresh marks and old stains. Place napkins or paper towels under the front and back sides. Under the influence of temperature, the structure of the oil will melt and be absorbed into the “gaskets”.
Tip:by the same principle, you can use gasoline instead of an iron. Only after all the procedures it is necessary to thoroughly wash things in the machine with the addition of high-quality powder.
Use of stain removers
There are special stain removers for machine oil on the market. They are quite effective on any fabric, but their caustic composition can damage the fibers of some delicate materials.
The disadvantage of such stain removers is the high price and inaccessibility – often they cannot be purchased in ordinary stores. However, they do exist. It is advisable to order 1-2 bottles in advance – and let them stand in the closet, waiting in the wings.
The stain remover must be applied to the stained area, and left for half an hour. After the specified time, arrange washing in the machine. Washing powder with stain remover should be added to the drum in equal proportions. This method guarantees getting rid of engine oil stains.
When using stain removers, be sure to check the instructions on the product bottle.
Use of oxygen bleaches and solvents
You can also use an oxygen-based bleach. It is used in case of contact with technical fat on a white fabric. Read the bleach instructions for the ratio of proportions with water, and apply to the stain. Wait ten to fifteen minutes.
A radical cleaning agent is a solvent. They should be used only in exceptional cases when oil gets on outerwear. And still, you should be careful not to accidentally ruin the fabric, even if it is made of dense material.
The group of solvents includes gasoline, kerosene, as well as nail polish remover with the addition of acetone. Be sure to use gloves to protect your hands from chemical burns. Take a sponge, apply a small amount of any solvent to it. Blot the material, and leave for thirty minutes. After the specified time, arrange a hand wash. You can either add laundry detergent or cut pieces of laundry soap into hot water to make a soapy solution.
Useful Tips
To protect the fabric, also use a few helpful tips:
Do not wash clothes in hot water if stains were removed with flammable products such as kerosene or gasoline.
Do not use harsh mechanical methods for delicate fabrics to avoid damage. Before using any of the above methods, carefully look at what material the clothing is made of.
Try not to put off cleaning your clothes until later. Although there are options for dealing with old stains, it is better to play it safe and remove fresh ones.
Ventilate the room when working with flammable products, which often emit harmful fumes and an unpleasant odor. Also wear goggles to keep the fumes from getting into your eyes.
Keep children and animals away from the presence of chemicals.
Be sure to use gloves. It’s not just chemical burns. The same nail polish remover can damage a manicure.
Don’t try to immediately run oil-stained clothes into the washing machine. This will not work, since even the highest quality washing powder cannot cope with such pollution. It is also not recommended to add bleach there. There is a risk of spoiling the clothes forever, and it will only be thrown away.
Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.