Did your clothes get tar or tar from the streets or roofs? If your fabric is machine washable, you can choose from one of the techniques mentioned in this article to help remove marks, spots, stains, debris or particles.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Preparing to Remove Stains
Step 1. Peel off as much tar as possible before treatment
You can use a dull knife to scrape the tar off the fabric. Although hard tar is easier to remove, the faster the tar can be removed, the easier the stain will be to remove.
If the stain is very difficult to remove, try rubbing a small amount of petrolatum on a cloth and waiting a few minutes before trying to scrape it off
Step 2. Test your method of choice on a small section or piece of fabric
Some fabrics may acquire a lighter color, stain, weaken or have a change in texture, grain or lint as a result of some of these cleaning methods
Step 3. Do not dry on hot temperatures
Method 2 of 4: Removing Thick Tar Flakes/Clumps (Freezing Method)
Step 1. Put the ice chips or chunks in a plastic bag and rub the bag over the tar, if the tar flakes or lumps are still stuck to the fabric
Step 2. Let the tar freeze (harden) so that it becomes brittle
Step 3. Peel off the crumbly tar using your fingernail or a soft blunt knife (such as a butter knife or dinner knife), spoon, or ice cream stick, once the tar has hardened
Method 3 of 4: Removing Light Spots or Freckles (Oil Method)
Step 1. Coat and soak with one of the following products/solvents containing oil:
- Warmed (not too hot) lard, bacon oil or dripping chicken fat;
- Vaseline, petrolatum or rubbing cream, mineral oil;
- Car tar and insect remover;
- Vegetable oil;
- Hand cleansing cream.
Step 2. Alternatively, take the clothes outdoors and spray the stain with an absorbent oil (WD40 or similar), not near fire or cigarettes, etc
Step 3. In a similar fashion, take the clothes outdoors and dab some white kerosene, paint solvent, mineral spirit, turpentine, alcohol or lamp oil (not gasoline) on stubborn stains using a white tissue cloth or cleaning cloth, not near fire or cigarettes, etc.
Step 4. Consider using nail polish remover as a solvent, not near fire or cigarettes, etc
Step 5. Remove the dissolved, greased tar by rubbing with a tissue or cleaning cloth
Step 6. Repeat the treatment with oil, before washing:
try a different solvent (a hard type, such as kerosene), if cooking fat or cooking oil is not sufficient; by selecting from the options above for stubborn stains.
Method 4 of 4: Cleaning with Detergent
Step 1. Do this after one of the previous methods, or individually
Step 2. Treat with stain remover before washing
Pre-wash stain remover comes in stick, spray, or gel form.
- Test the prewash stain remover on an inconspicuous part of the garment to make sure it doesn't affect the color of the garment.
- Apply the prewash stain directly to the stain. For stick shapes, rub the stain remover on the stain in all directions. When using a spray stain remover, spray the stain until it is completely wet. Gel stain remover should be applied in all directions, until the stain is covered.
- Allow the prewash stain remover product to sit on the stain for some time. Find out how long it takes for the product to work according to the directions on the bottle.
Step 3. Apply liquid enzyme laundry detergent to the stain
Tar and asphalt stains are oil stains, so you'll need a laundry detergent with enzymes to remove them.
- Pour the enzyme laundry detergent on the stain directly.
- Use a towel or paper towel to compact the stain by pressing firmly on the stain and then lifting the towel back up.
- Press the stain several times with the towel, making sure you use a clean part of the towel each time you compact it.
Step 4. Wash the clothes in as hot water as possible for the fabric
Look at clothing labels to see what temperature water can be used to wash them. Wash clothes using an enzyme laundry detergent.
Step 5. Hang the clothes in the air to dry
Allow the clothes to air dry to avoid sticking to any part of the stain that doesn't completely go away.
If the stain persists, repeat the steps using solvent for dry cleaning instead of the prewash stain remover
Tips
- Seek medical advice and attention, if eyes are exposed to chemicals (solvents, detergents, etc.)
- Wash separately from other clothes.
- Protect your hands using rubber or vinyl gloves.
- Protect your eyes, hair and skin from these products. Rinse the chemical affected area thoroughly with water.
Warning
- Kerosene and the like will leave an unpleasant odor, which is difficult to remove, even after washing.
- Avoid inhalation of harsh/flammable cleaning fumes, and do not use it near fire (indicator light) or cigarettes, etc.
- To avoid further damage, wash or clean according to the cleaning agent manufacturer's instructions and fabric care instructions (temperature, type of cleaning process, etc.), if you are concerned about this.
- Avoid exposing the fabric to hot temperatures (dry in cool air only) until the stain is gone.
- Caution: avoid brewing (from heated cooking oil or hot water).
- Treat and clean leather, suede, fur or faux leather, etc. at a professional laundry service.
- Stains on fabrics labeled "dry wash only" should be treated and cleaned professionally.
