How do I remove an oil stain?

[volvoguy87]

I was working on my very grumpy 1983 Kenmore 70 series and managed to get oil on my dark blue jeans. The oil was once turbine oil in the centerpost area, but it got contaminated with some grease, water, and goodness knows what else and turned black. What would be the proper procedure and chemical treatment to remove the stain?

That darned washer is trying my patience,
Dave

 

[vtmike55]

Volvoguy87 Grease Remove

To remove oil stains from clothing, apply an absorbent compound such as baby powder or cornstarch to the area. allow to stand for at least fifteen minutes, and brush away the powder. Place the garment on paper towel with stain side down. Apply a dry cleaning solvent such as Afta Cleaning Fluid to the stain, and change paper towels frequently as they pick up the oil stain. Spray the stain with a pre-soak cleanser such as Shout, and let stand for at least a half hour. Launder as usual following care label instructions. Goo Gone, a citrus based cleaner, is reported to also work well on removing oil stains from clothing.I have used kero as well to break down the oil and then used NAPA Citrus Cleaner ITEM # 5125 at any NAPA auto store, And Dawn dish soap, Hey if it gets Crude oil off Ducks and Birds Jeans should be a breeze. I work on My 1995 Volvo 850 a lot and get a lot of Grease on my clothes. I hope this helps
Easy Does It
Mike

 

[wringer]

De-Solv-It

Works great for me. It is much better than Goo Gone. I buy it at the hardware store and it totally removes any grease I have encountered. It is a liquid spray and awesome. It is safe because it is citrus based. Good Luck !

Jim

 

[ronhic]

Just don't forget...

...that some of, if not all of, these strong stain removers may take the colour with it too!

 

[joeekaitis]

Mean Green and Greased Lightning (concentrated degreasing spray cleaners) have worked for me without fading colors.

 

[volsboy1]

They have this white very fine clay that comes in a square black tube about the size of lipstick.This stuff I rub on the stain and let it sit for about 5 minutes and there is this brush on the inside cap you then just brush it off.Its called Janie Dry Spot remover and has saved me a lot of money it works on all oil stains.De-Solv it is also a good one like Jim says.It takes out gum,tar,grease and its worlds better than any of the copy cats I have seen and has not bleached any of my clothes I use it on cashmere even.

 

[launderess]

Two Words

Fels Naptha (vintage bars are better).

Nuff said.

 

[zanussi_lover]

Soda Crystals

they are excellent at removing grease

 

[kenwashesmonday]

I get grease and oil on my clothes all the time. Goop hand cleaner is a wonderful grease stain remover. It will often even remove grease stains from clothing after it's been through the dryer. Just rub a little into the stain, and launder.

Goop Hand Cleaner and All Goop Cleaning Products

goophandcleaner.com

 

[mixfinder]

Ammonia

Ammonia as a spot cleaner and added to a hot wash is rumored to work.  The urban myth is that truckers and mechanics add a 2 liter bottle of Coco-Cola to the wash to get rid of oil stains.

 

[chuffle]

I've used cigarette lighter fluid...

...to gently lift oily stains from clothing. With few exceptions, the naphtha in the lighter fluid has worked well for me. I've also found that LA's Totally Awesome Laundry Detergent from Dollar Tree stores does a good job at removing pesky stains. I pre-treat with a little of the detergent, then wash.

Joe

 

[mixfinder]

Steaming Mad

I just used my Haan floor steamer to raise the carpet nap after moving furniture.  I have also used it to remove tell tale spots from the carpet.  If you have a steamer it might lift the oil without a chemical laboratory.

 

[gorenje]

A laundry soap and some Ammonia.

But you can also try something else. Soak the affected area in Coca Cola overnight, maybe it can help. I'm not kidding.

Ingemar

 

[volvoguy87]

Solved!

I ended up taking the jeans to my local mom & pop dry cleaners (Atlas Dry Cleaners in Newport, KY). They got it out and I didn't have to do a bunch of work and get chemicals.

Thanks for your input.
Dave