Picture this: you’re helping a friend change their car’s oil or you lean on the hood while your dad’s working under it, and boom, motor oil finds your shirt. It’s like your shirt signed up for a black-tie event and someone spilled ink. But no panic. We’ve got you.
Step 1: Act fast (yes you)
The key word: fast. Motor oil stains are sneaky and stubborn!
Blot off any excess oil with a paper towel or clean cloth and press gently. Don’t rub or you’ll spread the oil.
Check the care label of the garment. Is it safe to wash in warm water, or does it require cold or special treatment?
Step 2: Pretreat smart
Now we’re in the rescue mission phase. Motor oil isn’t just a wet stain, it’s grease that bonds to fibers, here are some steps you can take for pretreatment.
Here’s what to do:
Use a dish soap designed for grease and apply it directly to the stain. Many people swear by this.
If you’ve got baking soda or cornstarch in the pantry, sprinkle a light layer over the stain after the soap step. These powders help absorb leftover oil.
Let it sit. The longer the stain sits untreated, the tougher it is to remove. If it’s already been washed and dried, extra time and stronger pretreatment might be needed.
Step 3: Wash with care
You’ve done the prep. Time to send it through the machine, but with caution.
Use the warmest water safe for the fabric since oil dissolves better in warmer water.
Use a strong laundry detergent.
After washing, check the stain before drying. If you throw it in the dryer too soon and the stain’s still visible, you’re basically locking it in for good.
Step 4: What to avoid and pro tips
Do not put the garment into the dryer until you are sure the stain is gone. Heat will set it permanently.
Test any strong chemical on a hidden area of the fabric first. Color and material matter.
For delicate fabrics like silk or wool, skip DIY and go pro.
Go easy with scrubbing to avoid damaging the fabric.
Next time you’re working with oil, maybe wear a coverup. Just saying.
When you’d rather skip the laundry drama, let us handle it
If your favorite shirt or work gear got hit by motor oil, that’s exactly the kind of challenge we love at Get Fresh Start Laundry.
We offer:
Pickup and delivery for your garments so you don’t have to make a trip.
Specialized treatments for tough stains like oil, grease, and mechanic moments.
Fast turnaround so you’re not waiting forever.
No extra stress for you. You deal with your day, we deal with the stain.
So if that oil splatter left your clothes looking like they belong under the car instead of in your closet, hand it off to us. We’ll make sure you look clean, fresh, and stain-free.
Final word
Stains happen, especially when you’re dealing with grease, oil, and general messiness. The good news is if you act fast, treat it smart, and follow the right steps, you can usually save your clothes. But if you don’t have the time, energy, or tools, letting the pros at Get Fresh Start Laundry handle it is always a solid move.
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