Grease and oil can be difficult to clean. Without the right tools and methods, you might find it difficult to remove car grease. If you work on cars and regularly deal with grease, you should develop cleaning techniques to help you handle tough stains.
Table of Contents
1. Start With Prevention
Avoid grease or oil stains on materials that will be challenging to clean. For example, you can use coverings to protect upholstery and other surfaces in your car and near your work area. You can also purchase workwear such as coveralls to avoid grease stains on your everyday clothing. Remove accessories and jewellery that you’d like to keep clean, and never wear clothing you cannot easily wash when working your car. If you get oil on your shoes or clothes, don’t wear them indoors and spread the stain into your house.
2. React Quickly to Stains
It’s better if you can treat a car grease stain quickly. Letting the stain set in makes it significantly more difficult to remove car grease. If you notice a spill, you can use an old towel to sop up excess oil straight away. Next, spread an absorbent material like baby powder or cornstarch over the stain and allow it to dry. You can then vacuum up the powder and treat any remaining areas. If your carpet is stained, you can use a commercial grease solvent to treat the area before you proceed. Dab with a clean rag and try not to scrub a wet stain, which can damage fibres and worsen the mess.
3. Scrape Off Dried Grease
Sometimes grease goes unnoticed and dries up, and these stains require some extra work to remove effectively. You should use a plastic implement to scrape off as much of the dried oil or grease as possible. Plastic knives and kitchen tools work well and are less likely to damage the material beneath than a metal scraper. Then, you can treat the stain with a solvent and dab the area with a rag. For tough, set-in stains, try using a toothbrush to scrub the stain gently. Rinsing with clean water and drying with some paper towels can help you finish the job.
4. Wash Stained Clothing
If your clothes have a car grease stain, you should generally avoid washing the stained garments in your laundry machine. Instead, treat the area with stain remover. You can use the usual laundry stain remover or a grease removing solvent. Dish detergent can also be quite effective at removing oil stains. After treatment, soak the garment in hot water and wash it by hand. You shouldn’t dry the clothing until the stain is fully removed.
5. Consider a Hand Scrub
After working on a car, you will likely have grease and oil stains on your hands. These stains are not only unclean, but they could be harmful to your health as car oils contain harsh chemicals. Whilst small amounts of grease can be removed with soap and warm water, you should consider investing in a mechanic’s hand scrub. These products are more effective at getting your hands clean. Products that contain walnut shells are efficient at oil removal. Look for a hand scrub made from safe ingredients that won’t dry out your skin. Wash up with bar soap first, then massage the scrub into your hands, focusing on areas like knuckles where stains can accumulate. Rinse with warm water and apply a moisturizing lotion for best results.
Whether you’re a professional mechanic or hobbyist who likes to work on cars, it’s important to know how to handle tough stains. You can protect your car, home, clothing and hands from grease and oil.