How to Remove Motor Oil From Clothing
Removing engine oil from clothing can be difficult depending on the size of the stain and the fabric. However, there are ways that can help you salvage your clothing, but one of the main points to keep in mind is that you must take action immediately. The longer it has time to set, the harder it will be to remove.
- Purchase a bottle of Dawn dish
detergent. This has ingredients that can help break down the motor
oil probably better than any other type of soap or degreasers. The
idea with the detergent is to break it so that when you wash it, the
oil is removed. - Pour the Dawn right onto the motor
oil stain. Dab it onto the stain. Start with a small amount and
allow it to soak into the piece of fabric, then add a bit more and
let the clothing soak it in. You want it to totally penetrate the
fabric where the oil is so that it can break it down. Allow the
clothing to set about 15 to 20 minutes. - Place the piece of clothing in
your washing machine alone. Turn the water to the hottest setting,
add your normal detergent as you would with any other wash. If you
have a “soak” feature on your washing machine, use this so that
the dawn can continue working on the stain in the hot water. - Complete the wash cycle and check
the stain. If it is not fully removed, repeat the above steps.
Sometimes it takes two complete washing cycles to remove the stain.
Do not place your clothing in your dryer until the stain is
completely removed, as the heat of the dryer will set the stain in
permanently.