Bike grease is considered one of the stubborn stains on clothing. For those who have owned a bike, it can be hard to eliminate a smudge off clothes. Luckily, removing this type of tough stain from clothing is possible. Depending on the type of fabric, the trick in getting rid of bike grease stains is to start treating it right away.
Rub or brush liquid dish soap, liquid laundry detergent, or shampoo on the stain, and let it absorb for 2-3 minutes. Launder the clothes following the instruction on it. Remember that the longer it is left on the fabric, the harder it is to remove it
. Since every fabric reacts differently to cleaning, the ideal option when removing grease varies on the type of fabric. Read further to learn the methods on how to remove bike grease stains from clothes.
Table of Contents
How to remove bike grease stains from clothes with dishwashing liquid
Dishwashing liquid is the recommended option when dealing with bike grease stains on cotton and synthetic fabrics.
- Add a small amount of dishwashing fluid on the stained area. It works by breaking down grease and oil just like on your dishes. For a stubborn stain, prepare a thick paste of dishwashing liquid and baking soda. Use an old toothbrush to gently rub the paste into the stain.
- Allow the fabric to rest for 2 minutes and place it under running cold water with the stained area facing down. This will ensure that the stain will not embed deep into the fibers.
- Launder the garment based on the care instructions. Hang and allow to air dry while checking if the stain is removed. If a trace lingers, repeat the steps until the stain is gone. Remember not to put it in a dryer since the heat will set the stain, making it permanent.
For a dried bike grease stain, sprinkle a small amount of corn flour or talcum on the stain and leave in place for 5 minutes before proceeding with the steps above.
Video: Get rid of bike grease stains from clothes with dishwashing liquid
Get rid of bike grease stains by using a biological laundry detergent
This product works best when dealing with stains on synthetic fabrics, whether dry or fresh.
- Dab a small amount of the washing powder on the stain and slowly rub. Leave in place for 5-15 minutes.
- Place the garment under a tap and allow cold water to flow through the back of the stain to prevent it from moving deeper into the fabric.
- Wash the garment normally. Allow it to air dry.
Remove bike grease stains with baking soda
Baking soda is a recommended natural product that can get rid of bike grease stains. It is suitable for fresh and dried stains on delicate material such as silk and wool.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the stained area. It works by drawing out the grease from the material without damaging the fibers.
- Leave the baking soda overnight and brush it off in the morning. The baking soda has absorbed most of the grease.
- Wash the garment based on the fabric care instructions. When treating delicate fabrics, it is best to hand wash with laundry detergent.
How to get bike grease out of shoes
If your shoes accidentally end up with bike grease, simply follow these steps when dealing with both fresh and dried stains.
- Pre-treat the stain with Persil liquid or any similar product. Rub a small amount of the detergent into the site or with an old toothbrush. Leave in place for a few minutes.
- Flush with cool water and launder normally. You can either hand wash the garment or utilize your washing machine based on the fabric care instructions.
What home remedy takes grease out of clothes
When dealing with grease stains on clothes, several home remedies effectively works. Let us take a look at some of the products that you can find at home to get rid of unsightly grease stains.
- Vinegar. Prepare a solution by mixing equal amounts of water and white vinegar. Moisten a clean cloth with this solution and wipe on the grease stain until removed.
- Baby powder/talcum powder. Sprinkle evenly on the site of the stain. Leave in place for 4-5 hours to allow it to absorb the grease. Remove by using a vacuum cleaner.
- Salt. Prepare a mixture of salt and rubbing alcohol in a 1:4 ratio. Scrub it vigorously on the grease stain.
- Cornstarch. Sprinkle cornstarch on a soft cloth and rub it on the stain until it vanishes.
- Chalk. Rub chalk on the grease stain. Allow it to absorb the stain and brush off after. Rinse the garment.
- Baking soda. Moisten the stained area. Sprinkle baking soda on the stain and rub off with a sponge or damp towel.
- Hair spray. Spritz hair spray directly on the grease stain. Rinse and air dry the garment.
- Aloe vera gel. Soak the garment in water for some time. Rub the aloe vera gel on the site. Rinse the fabric and air dry.
- Coke. Pour a small amount on the stain. Allow soaking for 1-2 hours. Wash the garment with warm water.
- Shampoo. Apply a small amount of shampoo on the stain and rub. Rinse thoroughly after.
- Dishwashing detergent. Brush the product on the stain and leave it in place for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly after.
- Toothpaste. Using an old toothbrush, brush it on the stain. Rinse with water after.
Can you remove grease stains after washing and drying?
There are instances in which grease stains linger even after washing. For most, seeing a lingering grease stain can be frustrating especially if on your favorite shirt. If the stained garment was dried in a heat-producing dryer, it will allow the stain to set, making it harder to remove. Luckily, there might be a way to get rid of the stain by following these steps:
- Check the care instructions label on the garment. If “dry clean” is indicated, do not proceed.
- Moisten the stain with warm tap water.
- Add a few drops of dish soap on the grease stain.
- Hold the fabric on both sides of the stain and rub the material together to create a lather. Set the garment aside for an hour.
- Wipe most of the soap off the fabric using a paper towel.
- Wash the garment in a cool or warm-water wash cycle along with your preferred laundry detergent.
- Air-dry the garment. Do not put it in the dryer since the heat can further set the stain.
- Check the garment if the stain is fully removed. If a trace still lingers, repeat the process.
Final thoughts
Bike grease stains can be undesirable to look at especially if there are smudges on your clothes. With the methods on how to remove bike grease stains from clothes, you can effectively get rid of the stains.
