How do you remove chain grease from light carpet?
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How do you remove chain grease from light carpet?
OK brain trust, when loading my road bike, sans wheels, into the back of my light colored carpeted SUV, with full floor mat, I accidentally got chain grease on one of the carpeted walls. How best to remove? Thanks in advance.
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I recommend starting with an absorbent. Powdered concrete may be most effective, diatomaceous earth next most. Let it sit, vacuum it out. After that I'd try solvents, careful to cover the clean areas so it doesn't run down over them. There's some danger they'll bleach the color out of the carpet. De-solv-it is the safest; mineral spirits the commonest. Put down a tarp in the future.
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See. You should have waxed your chain.
I've had good results removing as much as possible with a paper towel, followed by soap and water. Soap is essential as it will break up and emulsify the grease.
Just be glad it is just your car and not your bar tape or saddle.
I've had good results removing as much as possible with a paper towel, followed by soap and water. Soap is essential as it will break up and emulsify the grease.
Just be glad it is just your car and not your bar tape or saddle.
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Use some citrus pumice cleaner first to loosen the dirt and grime (orange goop, Gojo, etc...) followed by Dawn dish soap to get rid of the citrus residue, color and smell. Proceed to rinse as thoroughly as possible. I have used this technique multiple times on clothing, so it might work well on carpet also.
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I used Worx Hand Cleaner to get chain grease off carpet and it worked great. It contains absorbent particles in its composition. Some dedicated carpet products may work better but is certainly a fall-back. Worx is my standard for getting grease off hands.
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Typically, agitation or liquid based products may push the grease into the material further. Using the above recommended powder that can attract as much as it can & following up with a strong vacuum could be the best first approach. If you should use a liquid, I'd opt for WD-40 & a steam cleaner.
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Besides the above, Fels Naphtha bar soap can help. It no longer contains naphtha so it's not quite as effective, but still good for grease, oil, etc. I've used it on heavy duty shop rags that I wanted to continue using. Any remaining stain is probably the fine metal particulates left behind after drivetrain grease is removed.
I also use Fels on my hands for cleanup after working on the bike. It's easier on my hands than Lava and other heavy duty hand soaps.
Liquid naphtha -- including Ronson lighter fluid -- can help when used carefully. Generally it's better to dab with it rather than scrub. Lots of paper towels and patience. And be careful to avoid any ignition sources, and ensure plenty of ventilation.
I also use Fels on my hands for cleanup after working on the bike. It's easier on my hands than Lava and other heavy duty hand soaps.
Liquid naphtha -- including Ronson lighter fluid -- can help when used carefully. Generally it's better to dab with it rather than scrub. Lots of paper towels and patience. And be careful to avoid any ignition sources, and ensure plenty of ventilation.
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Lighter fluid, charcoal lighter fluid, mineral spirits, pick one and a paper towel. Blot it out..be done in two minutes.
The "carpet" is most likely polyloefin...impervious to most anything. Check somewhere for colorfastness if you like.
I got a fair amount of chain grease on the cloth seat of my old Merc..a little mineral spirits and a towel..poof gone, looked new again.
The "carpet" is most likely polyloefin...impervious to most anything. Check somewhere for colorfastness if you like.
I got a fair amount of chain grease on the cloth seat of my old Merc..a little mineral spirits and a towel..poof gone, looked new again.
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I have used Dawn dish soap in water with a stiff bristled brush. Use the brush to scrub the suds from the soapy water into the carpet and blot it with an old towel. That method has not failed me yet, even with oily stuff like NixFrixshun chain lube.
#14
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If it is an olefin, you may have difficulty in getting something oil based out of it. I like the idea of trying the dry absorbents first, as they sound the least invasive. I would also consider 1,1,1 trichloroethylene, an excellent solvent. It can be absorbed through your skin.
Good luck.
Good luck.
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Get the right brand of spot cleaner and it will be a 5 minute job.
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Non-chlorinated brake cleaner, seriously. I use the stuff they sell at NAPA and buy it by the case for cleaning derailleurs, etc.. My friend owned a garage and even though his mechanics used those paper mats grease from the mechanic's shoes would inevitably get on the carpet along the door sill or worse yet grease from their clothing or arms would get on the upholstery. They use brake cleaner to get it out and it does it RIGHT NOW. They turned me on to it about 10 years ago and I've used it ever since. It even works on road tar but it takes several applications and still leaves a slight discoloration but regular grease stains come right out. Test it on an area that's not visible like under the edge of a seat or where the carpet goes up under the dash to be safe but I haven't had a problem yet. I keep a can in my old work car, I use it to pick up bikes I buy and even though I put them in a contractor bag before loading them I always seem to get a smudge on the carpet somehow. No problem though.
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You can fix that problem with a bike rack.
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Have one. What? You say.
traveled over 4 mountain passes, 3 with snow and several miles of Interstate where de-icer and salt was used. Then there was one day of relentless rain followed by going up a long muddy dirt road. My AWD SUV (not a Jeep) performed flawlessly but wasn’t going to subject my bike to all that road crap.
For local hauls I use the bike rack, but across three states, 620 miles each way, not so much in the winter. Good thought tho.
Thanks for all the excellent suggestions. Will no doubt use more than one. Great forum members here.
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Have one. What? You say.
traveled over 4 mountain passes, 3 with snow and several miles of Interstate where de-icer and salt was used. Then there was one day of relentless rain followed by going up a long muddy dirt road. My AWD SUV (not a Jeep) performed flawlessly but wasn’t going to subject my bike to all that road crap.
For local hauls I use the bike rack, but across three states, 620 miles each way, not so much in the winter. Good thought tho.
Thanks for all the excellent suggestions. Will no doubt use more than one. Great forum members here.
traveled over 4 mountain passes, 3 with snow and several miles of Interstate where de-icer and salt was used. Then there was one day of relentless rain followed by going up a long muddy dirt road. My AWD SUV (not a Jeep) performed flawlessly but wasn’t going to subject my bike to all that road crap.
For local hauls I use the bike rack, but across three states, 620 miles each way, not so much in the winter. Good thought tho.
Thanks for all the excellent suggestions. Will no doubt use more than one. Great forum members here.
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Interesting tip, good to know for when the need arises. I have it in a spray can, no idea if it can be had as a liquid in a bottle. With spray you might hit bigger area than you might want. I guess one can spray it on a towel first and dab it on the spot in question. I believe all car upholstery is typically some artificial stuff that is likely very amenable to cleaning.
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Interesting tip, good to know for when the need arises. I have it in a spray can, no idea if it can be had as a liquid in a bottle. With spray you might hit bigger area than you might want. I guess one can spray it on a towel first and dab it on the spot in question. I believe all car upholstery is typically some artificial stuff that is likely very amenable to cleaning.
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Next time I will wrap a baggie around the rear derailleur.
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#25
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Dawn dish washing liquid, a soft sponge and warm water. That should get the grease off the fibers. If there is a stain, make a strong solution of Oxi Clean and warm water and use a soft sponge to message the carpet. Shop Vac the carpet dry. Repeat if necessary.
Note: Dawn is great for getting any kind of oil or grease out of fabric.
Note: Dawn is great for getting any kind of oil or grease out of fabric.