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getting oil stains out of clothes
smart51 - 22/4/09 at 07:48 PM

Oops! I've done it again. Done some work on my car without getting changed first. This time I thought, I'll be fine I won't do anything dirty, I'll just undo the first few bolts and come back later. then I dropped the spanner in the pan of oil on the floor under the car.

So, I've tried soaking it in biological detergent overnight and washing it in the machine. The oil has faded but not gone. How do you get engine oil out of a shirt?

[Edited on 22-4-2009 by smart51]

blakep82 - 22/4/09 at 07:52 PM

shampoo is pretty good, but i think you really need to do it while the oil is still wet.
shampoo's really just a degreaser

coozer - 22/4/09 at 07:52 PM

Burn it.

Hellfire - 22/4/09 at 07:59 PM

Brake Cleaner - gets out Grease and Oil.

Basically is Trichloroethane (SP) degreaser but VERY strong! Use in open spaces only... I've been told it is the same as DRY CLEANING FLUID.

Steve

[Edited on 22-4-09 by Hellfire]

speedyxjs - 22/4/09 at 08:01 PM

Brake cleaner is like cillit bang for mechanics

owelly - 22/4/09 at 08:03 PM

WD40 to get the stain out and then Fairy Liquid to get rid of the WD40...

snapper - 22/4/09 at 08:13 PM

It wont be oil stains you worry about when its built and your driving it it'll be the other sort of stains

rusty nuts - 22/4/09 at 08:18 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Hellfire
Brake Cleaner - gets out Grease and Oil.

Basically is Trichloroethane (SP) degreaser but VERY strong! Use in open spaces only... I've been told it is the same as DRY CLEANING FLUID.

Steve

[Edited on 22-4-09 by Hellfire]


I thought that Trich is now banned? The newer brake cleaners don't seem to be as good as the older ones were but still worth a try. I have used brake cleaner to remove grease stains from carpets with good results.

Hellfire - 22/4/09 at 08:29 PM

You can still get it...

I think they have changed from Trichloroethylene to Trichloroethane....

I used to have top do COSHH on them - though you're right the new one's are not as good as the old. Course I could be wrong cos it's all from my (OLD) memory!

Steve

thunderace - 22/4/09 at 08:40 PM

Swarfega
RUB IT IN AND WASH IT OUT THE NEXT DAY IT WORKS AND ITS CHEEP.

thorpey182 - 22/4/09 at 08:50 PM

i'll second the WD-40 technique, took a while but managed to get the vast majority of oil out.

ashg - 22/4/09 at 09:49 PM

brake cleaner every time. if that dont shift it use paint thinners

[Edited on 22/4/09 by ashg]

James - 22/4/09 at 10:28 PM

quote:
Originally posted by thunderace
Swarfega
RUB IT IN AND WASH IT OUT THE NEXT DAY IT WORKS AND ITS CHEEP.


Seconded! Works well, expecially the 'gritted' stuff if you work it in!

Cheers,
James

Peteff - 23/4/09 at 07:52 AM

Swarfega for me too. then some washing up liquid to dilute it a bit more.

Danozeman - 23/4/09 at 08:04 AM

Swarfega for me too. works well. I always do it to my work clothes.

BenB - 23/4/09 at 09:14 AM

I've also used the WD40 trick to good effect.

Lightning - 23/4/09 at 12:03 PM

What about on leather. I got some on the back seat on my CRV when getting parts, its only 1 year old