13 Ways To Get Bike Grease Out Of Clothes

[RECYCLED POST] - fits in well with the recent Leg Shield theme

If you’re anything like me, it’s a rare day of bike commuting that doesn’t add a small dot of road grime or bike grease on your khaki pants, white shirt, etc. Grease is tough to remove, but not impossible. You can definitely salvage your threads without settling for a grease spot for the next 20 wash cycles. The following techniques vary wildly in both materials used and toxicity. I’ll say upfront that grease busting dishwashing liquid has worked for me, as has “Shout” brand prewash junk. Be wary of letting any stuff sit on the grease for too long, or next you’ll be dealing with a new stain or discoloration on your clothes (experience talking here). Onward.

In rough order of toxicity (and for the record, I wouldn’t touch those last three, but maybe your neck is redder than mine)…

1. Sprinkle cornstarch on freshly greased clothes. Let it soak up the grease for a while, then shake it out, slop some dishwashing liquid on there and wash as usual

2. On fresh grease: a dot of laundry detergent, rub, wash as usual

3. On set grease: sprinkle some baby powder, let it set a while, shake out, wash as usual

4. Rub some Dawn dishwashing detergent into the spot, then wash

5. Make a paste of Ajax dish soap and baking powder, then rub into the stain using an old toothbrush. Let it sit for about 5 minutes before washing as usual

6. Dribble a little bit of your shampoo (brand agnostic) on the stain, rub and wash as usual

7. Use Simple Green on stains, wash as usual

8. Throw some PineSol or Simple Green in with your laundry

9. Use Goo-Gone on stains, wash as usual

10. Get the stain out with Goof-Off, then get out the Goof-Off residue with Goop hand cleaner before washing as usual

11. Use oven cleaner on the stain, wash as usual

12. Use tire cleaner on the stain, wash as usual

13. Use brake parts cleaner on the stain, wash as usual

BONUS SOLUTION (only works in the northern hemisphere during the winter months)

1. Find some doll clothes that have been discarded by a thrift store. Don’t buy them, you must find them in the trash. (I’m not sure why this is important…something about lingering sorrow).

2. Once you’ve got the clothes, rend them. If you don’t know how to rend clothes, re-read the Old Testament, preferably King James Version, until you receive understanding.

3. Got the rent clothes? Refashion these textiles into a circle than cannot be broken. In a pinch, that sideways figure eight infinity thingy will do, too. Use your imagination–this is more art than science, people. Stay with me here, the hard part is coming up.

4. Using the thumb and forefinger of your left hand pull your greased garment cleanly through the circle that cannot be broken. With a single motion, as you pull the garment through the circle, fling it into the washing machine, closing the door before any excess cleaning power can escape (this technique simply does not work with hand washing, sorry). Wash as usual.

5. This technique should remove any grease present, as well as provide a lasting preternatual shield that prevents all future stains as well. Let me know if it doesn’t work for you.

Comments

[Rick]

Re: 10. "Get the stain out with Goof-Off, then get out the Goof-Off residue with Goop hand cleaner before washing as usual"

...Goof-Off is very effective but you probably needn't use Goop hand cleaner to remove it. However, since we're on the subject of Goop hand cleaner, it says right on the can that it's great for removing grease from clothes; perhaps Goop should be a first attempt.

[Leo Horishny]

BONUS SOLUTION (only works in the northern hemisphere during the winter months)

Hmm, sounds like you were quoting from Derailleur 28, sprocket 32, Ring James Version. :-)

[atom]

One can of Coca-Cola added to the wash.

Not sure where I'd place that on a toxicity scale... ;)

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[Mark]

I invented a product called the Leg Shield that fully covers the pant leg for cyclists. It does the trick!
http://www.bikelegstrap.com/

[Marg]

Does the article have to be dry or wet? I have Goof off on hand

[Trang]

I've also had success with mixing oxiclean and dishwashing liquid into a paste, rubbing it into the material and then rinsing. The mixture let off some pretty bad smells, but it seemed to work quite well.

[Maria]

For no 5 does it have to be that certain dish soap or can it be what ever kind of dish soap you want?

[Valerie greenep]

Hey! Well I was reading those ideas, and I seemed to come up with my own! Like I didn't have any of the ones listed, so I looked through my house (and didn't buy. Any cause I'm only 14) I found something else that helps! I used a product for tiles (using what I have) it's called "tile grout cleaner" and it actually cleaned the bike grease off my cardigan! But just to let you know, I also had to scrub it a little! Good luck! ;)

[poboy]

I thought I have to throw away my pant. using dish washing soap worked like a charm. Thanks

[Ann]

Had a brand new pair of grey LuLu lemon leggings and thought they were ruined from the chain bike grease. Thanks to the information above, I tried the Dawn dish washing liquid and it worked beautifully, good as new. Thank you for the suggestion.

[Jess]

Oven cleaner is the best! I spray it generously on any oil or grease stain. I've also used it to get oil paint off my clothes. I let it soak for 30-60 minutes (don't let the oven cleaner dry up), then I wash my clothes as usual. No scrubbing needed.

[Klara East]

After reading this blog, I tried Citra-SOlve and saved a $30 shirt I was going to toss. Thanks!