If you step on oil or grease and leave traces in your car (or perhaps you weren't careful when caring for your vehicle), the stain should be removed as soon as possible. While oils and greases are actually quite different, there are some effective techniques for removing stains from both. This technique can be changed or improvised using other brands or cleaning agents, but you'll end up vaporizing, washing, dissolving, or absorbing the oil that stained your car. Not infrequently these techniques are combined to clean the oil in the car.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Cleaning Oil and Grease Stains on Carpets and Upholstery
Step 1. Understand the stain to be cleaned
Actually, cleaning oil stains and grease stains in the interior makes no difference at all. This is why:
- Oils are all compounds that are insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvents (such as non-polar substances such as gasoline), and are liquids at room temperature.
- On the other hand, grease is an oil that has additives that make it semi-solid (similar to Jell-O) at room temperature. These additives are solid and do not absorb into the interior of your car.
- That is, if all the contaminants have been removed from the inner surface of the car, the remaining stains are oil stains.
- The process for cleaning stains on carpet is the same as for stains on car upholstery.
Step 2. Scrape off all remaining oil and grease
You can use a paint scraper, spoon, or knife. You are free to use metal or plastic, but be careful not to puncture your car seat.
Step 3. Blot a tissue or cloth on the stain
Thus, the remaining oil or grease left on the interior surface will be picked up. Use a dry paper towel or washcloth to blot the stain.
Step 4. Sprinkle baking soda onto the stain
The baking soda will soak into the oil. Let the baking soda work for 10-15 minutes.
Step 5. Clean the baking soda
You can use a vacuum cleaner or broom. If there is a large amount of oil, you may need to add more baking soda and repeat the process a few times.
Step 6. Clean the carpet with dry cleaning solvent (dry cleaning) if there are still stains left
If the stain is still visible, you can repeat the above process as long as the stain looks cleaner. Read the guidelines for scrubbing with a sponge and patting a specific dry cleaner on the stain on the product bottle. If it seems that this method is no longer showing results, please try another method.
Step 7. Rub with a degreaser (a substance that breaks down oil)
Dish soap like Sunlight is usually enough to break up oil stains, especially fresh ones. You can also buy commercial oil cleaners at supermarkets. This is the most common and direct way to clean oil or grease stains.
Step 8. Steam the dirty area
If the degreaser is not able to remove the stain, try steaming the soiled area to soften it. The steam will heat the carpet fibers and open the pores in the fabric. This way, the carpet can "release" any trapped oil so you can clean it.
- You can use a regular steam cleaner.
- If you don't have a steam cleaner, try placing a brown paper bag over the stain to absorb the oil. Then, create steam by placing the clothes iron over a paper bag to generate heat and steam so the stain can be removed.
Method 2 of 4: Removing Oil and Grease from Skin Using Degreaser
Step 1. Remove any remaining grease or oil from the interior leather surface
Perform scraping and scrubbing according to the guidelines above to remove most of the oil from the surface of the skin before cleansing.
Step 2. Make a degreaser solution
Usually this step is done by mixing laundry soap such as Sunlight with warm water until evenly distributed. You can also buy commercial oil-cleansing products specifically for the skin. This is the most common and direct way to remove grease or oil stains.
Step 3. Clean the dirty area
Scrub the stained area thoroughly with the degreaser and a rag or microfiber towel. If you notice any transfer of skin color to the fabric, stop immediately and wait for the area to dry before continuing with cleaning.
Step 4. Use a damp towel to remove the cleaner
Again, distilled water works best for this step, but you can also use regular tap water. Make sure that no residual soap suds remain on the interior leather. Soap left on the skin can collect dirt.
Method 3 of 4: Removing Oil and Grease from Skin Using Baking Soda
Step 1. Make a baking soda paste mixture
If degreaser alone doesn't work, or you want to remove odor from the stain, mix cup warm water, 1 tablespoon baking soda, teaspoon flour, and cup sea salt to make a cleaning paste. Combine everything in a bowl and stir until it forms a paste.
Step 2. Scrub the stained area with the cleaning paste
Baking soda paste will rub against the interior of your car more than other cleaners. This is helpful if the stain needs a lot of scrubbing. Use a washcloth (especially a microfiber towel) to rub the paste over the stained area. If the stain is quite small or the surface has a lot of crevices, we recommend using an old toothbrush to scrub the area.
Step 3. Wipe off the paste using a damp towel
Use a damp towel or microfiber towel with the cleaning solution and oil. You only need to use water, especially distilled water as it contains almost no contaminants that might leave water marks.
Step 4. Repeat the above process
If the stain is still not completely clean after the first cleaning, repeat this process until the stain is gone.
Method 4 of 4: Removing Oil and Grease from Plastic
Step 1. Follow the steps above to make a degreaser solution
Plastic should be treated similarly to leather. Do not use thinners or peelers such as toluene thinner or varnish as these will damage the plastic.
Step 2. Choose a sponge or scrub brush
Make sure the sponge or bristles used are not rough so they don't scratch the plastic. You can use a toothbrush for small, hard-to-reach areas.
Step 3. Scrub the dirty area
Dip your cleaning tool in the solution and use it to scrub the stain. If you are cleaning the leather, wipe it with a paper towel or soft cloth.
Step 4. Give a final swipe with distilled water
If you don't have distilled water, feel free to use regular tap water. This will remove any cleaner and oil that has been lifted from the surface of your plastic.
Tips
- Cornstarch is often used to leave the baking soda.
- Ice cubes can clean crayon stains on car upholstery. Hold the ice cube over the grease-soaked area until the wax in the crayon hardens. Use an object such as a credit card or a dull knife to scrape off the crayon stain
- If the stain has been in the car for a long time, apply petrolatum jelly and let it sit for 15 minutes before applying any of the methods above.
- Baking soda can also remove odors.
- Some people choose to use solvents such as carburetor cleaners instead of dry cleaning solvents.
Warning
- Some stains can't be cleaned.
- Use solvents and cleaners in a well-ventilated area.
- Do not use undiluted detergent on all surfaces in the car. This detergent will leave a film that gets dirty easily and is difficult to clean.
