How to Get Car Grease Out of Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You got car grease on your clothes. Maybe you were working on your car, changing a tire, or leaning against a greasy surface. Car grease is a heavy oil-based stain that can be removed with the right products. Here’s how to get car grease out of clothes without damaging the fabric.

Car grease is a heavy petroleum-based oil that bonds tightly with fabric fibers. It’s harder to remove than food grease because it’s thicker and more concentrated. The key to removing car grease is using a strong surfactant (Dawn dish soap), letting it sit long enough, and washing in warm or hot water. Don’t use cold water, which doesn’t dissolve grease.

To get car grease out of clothes, scrape off excess grease, apply Dawn dish soap to the stain, let sit for 30 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, apply baking soda, apply Shout foam, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water, and check before drying. Don’t use cold water, don’t rub, and don’t put grease-stained clothes in the dryer.

Step-by-Step: Removing Car Grease from Clothes

Step 1: Scrape Off Excess

Use a dull edge (butter knife or credit card) to scrape off excess grease. Don’t rub, which pushes the grease deeper.

Step 2: Apply Dawn Dish Soap

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap directly to the grease stain. Work it in gently with your fingers. Dawn is a surfactant that breaks down heavy grease and oil.

Step 3: Let It Sit

Let the Dawn sit on the stain for 30 minutes. For heavy car grease, longer is better. Don’t let it dry completely.

Step 4: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub the stain with an old toothbrush. Work from the outside in. The scrubbing helps the dish soap penetrate the fibers.

Step 5: Apply Baking Soda

Sprinkle Arm and Hammer Baking Soda on the stain. Baking soda absorbs oil. Let sit for 15 minutes. Brush off the baking soda.

Step 6: Apply Shout Foam

Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 7: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 8: Wash in Hot Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Hot water helps dissolve the grease. Add half a cup of baking soda to the wash.

Step 9: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser for the rinse. Vinegar removes detergent residue.

Step 10: Check Before Drying

Check that the grease stain is gone before putting the clothes in the dryer. If the stain remains, treat again and re-wash. Don’t put grease-stained clothes in the dryer.

Step 11: Clean the Machine Monthly

Clean the washer monthly with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner.

For Stubborn Car Grease Stains

Use Hand Sanitizer

Apply hand sanitizer (which contains alcohol) to the stain. Let sit for 10 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush. The alcohol breaks down the grease.

Use Rubbing Alcohol

Apply rubbing alcohol to the stain with a cotton ball. Let sit for 10 minutes. Blot with a clean cloth.

Use the Iron Method

Place a clean paper towel over the stain. Iron on a low setting (no steam). The heat melts the grease into the paper towel. Move the paper towel as it absorbs grease. Don’t use on delicate fabrics.

Use Amodex for Mixed Stains

If the grease stain has ink mixed in, use Amodex Ink and Stain Remover.

Use Lysol for Disinfecting

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse.

Repeat the Process

Stubborn car grease stains may need 2 to 3 treatments. Repeat the process until the stain is gone.

How to Prevent Car Grease Stains

Wear Old Clothes

Wear old clothes or a work apron when working on your car.

Use a Drop Cloth

Use a drop cloth to protect your clothes and surfaces from grease.

Wash Grease-Stained Clothes Immediately

Fresh grease is easier to remove than dried grease. Treat stains as soon as possible.

What Not to Do

Don’t use cold water. Cold water doesn’t dissolve grease. Use the hottest water safe for the fabric.

Don’t rub the stain. Rubbing spreads the grease. Scrape and scrub with a toothbrush.

Don’t put grease-stained clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat sets grease permanently. Air dry and check first.

Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored clothes. Chlorine bleach can remove color. Use oxygen bleach (OxiClean) instead.

Don’t give up after one treatment. Stubborn car grease stains may need 2 to 3 treatments. Repeat the process.

Don’t use the iron method on delicate fabrics. The iron method can damage silk, wool, and synthetics. Use on cotton and denim only.

FAQ

How do you get car grease out of clothes? Scrape off excess, apply Dawn dish soap for 30 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, apply baking soda, apply Shout foam, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water, and check before drying.

Does Dawn dish soap remove car grease from clothes? Yes. Dawn is a surfactant that breaks down heavy grease and oil. Apply directly to the stain, let sit for 30 minutes, scrub, and wash in hot water.

Can you use hot water on car grease stains? Yes. Hot water helps dissolve car grease. Use the hottest water safe for the fabric. Don’t use hot water on protein stains (blood, sweat).

Can you put car grease-stained clothes in the dryer? No. Dryer heat sets grease permanently. Air dry and check first. If the stain remains, treat again and re-wash.

How do you remove dried car grease from clothes? Apply Dawn dish soap for 30 minutes, scrub, apply baking soda paste, apply hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol, wash in hot water with OxiClean, and check before drying. Repeat if needed.

References

1. Tide. “Grease Stain Removal Guide.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “How to Remove Car Grease from Clothes.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Grease Stain Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. Dawn. “Grease Removal Guide.” dawn.com.