How to get grease out of cloth?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
How to get grease out of cloth?
My wife put a chair cushion for our outdoor furniture on top of my table saw.
I was working on my bike and I was kind of careless and got some bike grease on it.
She tried to clean it but its not coming out. Any ideas how to clean it?
Its my chance to make up for my screw up.
Thanks
I was working on my bike and I was kind of careless and got some bike grease on it.
She tried to clean it but its not coming out. Any ideas how to clean it?
Its my chance to make up for my screw up.
Thanks
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 3,734
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 860 Post(s)
Liked 1,103 Times
in
770 Posts
A few things that have worked for me.
-Dawn dishsoap poured directly on the stain and let sit for awhile and do some light scrubbing before rinsing. Avoid using hot water until the stain is gone as it can set the stain permanently.
-Regular laundry detergents with the same method as above.
-Waterless hand cleaners from the auto supply using the above method.
Probably a few more methods on the internet that work but you probably already have these cleaners. Also your wife needs to understand that precious tools and machinery are sacred and not to be abused with random household items. (Use your discretion with that advice though)
-Dawn dishsoap poured directly on the stain and let sit for awhile and do some light scrubbing before rinsing. Avoid using hot water until the stain is gone as it can set the stain permanently.
-Regular laundry detergents with the same method as above.
-Waterless hand cleaners from the auto supply using the above method.
Probably a few more methods on the internet that work but you probably already have these cleaners. Also your wife needs to understand that precious tools and machinery are sacred and not to be abused with random household items. (Use your discretion with that advice though)
Last edited by Crankycrank; 12-14-21 at 12:38 PM.
Likes For Crankycrank:
#3
(rhymes with spook)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,788
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
x2 on handcleaner. i like fast orange, personally. but, gojo...whatever. a nylon scrub brush, hot water, and enough applications of the cleaner until you get all the grease to rinse out. speaking of which, if you have a pressure washer, great. if not, garden hose it out. keep working it. the grease will come out. atf is the only thing i've never been able to remove from fabrics satisfactorily (relatively speaking). that stuff is evil!!!!
edit: the previous poster's statement of hot water has not been my experience. however, use the hand cleaner to scrub with the brush before hot water. and, use the water sparingly. just enough to keep the area "fluid"
edit: the previous poster's statement of hot water has not been my experience. however, use the hand cleaner to scrub with the brush before hot water. and, use the water sparingly. just enough to keep the area "fluid"
Likes For thook:
#4
Method to My Madness
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 3,855
Bikes: Trek FX 2, Cannondale Synapse x2, Cannondale CAAD4, Santa Cruz Stigmata 3
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2058 Post(s)
Liked 1,556 Times
in
1,077 Posts
Buy a new cushion cover?
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Bike was a frame in a build stage. That cushion seemed like a convenient place to lay it down. OOPS
The table saw is a brand new Grizzly. It has been sitting there for months with no use because I have not had the time to use it.
The table saw is a brand new Grizzly. It has been sitting there for months with no use because I have not had the time to use it.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 2,577
Bikes: Airborne "Carpe Diem", Motobecane "Mirage", Trek 6000, Strida 2, Dahon "Helios XL", Dahon "Mu XL", Tern "Verge S11i"
Mentioned: 23 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 996 Post(s)
Liked 592 Times
in
406 Posts
I regularly remove chain grease spots off my work slacks with "Goop" (waterless hand cleaner). I rub it in, then let it sit overnight. Next step is to work the Goop into the stain with a fingernail (or a plastic spoon). Rinse in warm water then throw in the washing machine. This works quite well.
#7
Junior Member
BrakeKleen with thick paper towels or terry cloth to blot it out. Apply the cleaner and blot from the opposite side of the fabric. Use the BrakeKleen in the red label can (trichlorethylene stuff). Test it first to make sure the fabric dye or pattern doesn't fade. Petroleum products can really bind to synthetic fabrics but I've found good solvents can greatly reduce or eliminate a stain.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 571
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 243 Post(s)
Liked 234 Times
in
155 Posts
I work in the hydraulics industry. I get hydraulic oil and grease on my clothes all the time, sometimes not noticing the spot until after the clothes have come out of the dryer. Dawn dish soap will remove the oil even after it has been thru the dryer.
#9
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,638
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3873 Post(s)
Liked 2,574 Times
in
1,581 Posts
#10
Senior Member
Send the item to me. I will take it to my sister in laws house, and she will get the stain out. I do it all the time. That girl has some kind of magic when it comes to removing any kind of stain from cloth!
#11
Senior Member
Another vote for waterless hand cleaner. GOOP, Fast Orange, etc. Scour the stain with the hand cleaner, then rinse with water. I've removed some set in chain grease stains this way.
YMMV
YMMV
Likes For leob1:
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,362
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1157 Post(s)
Liked 1,830 Times
in
993 Posts
I have a grizzly saw as well, works good as a cushion holder I never new.
I have the 5hp cabinet with the router wing, it paid for itself with all the custom cabinets, fireplace mantle, tables, and windows.
As for the grease, sorry to hear about that.
I have the 5hp cabinet with the router wing, it paid for itself with all the custom cabinets, fireplace mantle, tables, and windows.
As for the grease, sorry to hear about that.
#14
Newbie
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 53
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
5 Posts
"You got cushion on my new table saw**********? How could you do that********************???? I needed that grease!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Spot Shot is a good cleaner, but I would test it on an inconspicuous area. Otherwise, Dawn is one of the best degreasers. If the cover has a zipper at the rear so the cover can be removed, put something like a plastic bag behind it so the cushion won't absorb anything and use a soft bristle brush to work the detergent into the stain, let it sit and use a shop vac with a cloth over the nozzle to lift the detergent and the stain. Repeat, as needed. If the rest of the cushion looks different, treat the whole surface to make it look like it wasn't stained.
If the cushions don't have a zipper on the back, you could take them to an upholsterer to have one installed on each one, so cleaning will be easier.
Spot Shot is a good cleaner, but I would test it on an inconspicuous area. Otherwise, Dawn is one of the best degreasers. If the cover has a zipper at the rear so the cover can be removed, put something like a plastic bag behind it so the cushion won't absorb anything and use a soft bristle brush to work the detergent into the stain, let it sit and use a shop vac with a cloth over the nozzle to lift the detergent and the stain. Repeat, as needed. If the rest of the cushion looks different, treat the whole surface to make it look like it wasn't stained.
If the cushions don't have a zipper on the back, you could take them to an upholsterer to have one installed on each one, so cleaning will be easier.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 4,083
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2333 Post(s)
Liked 2,097 Times
in
1,314 Posts
A Penny of Prevention is worth a pound of cure. Wax your chains.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,592
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5234 Post(s)
Liked 3,609 Times
in
2,357 Posts
My wife put a chair cushion for our outdoor furniture on top of my table saw.
I was working on my bike and I was kind of careless and got some bike grease on it.
She tried to clean it but its not coming out. Any ideas how to clean it?
Its my chance to make up for my screw up.
I was working on my bike and I was kind of careless and got some bike grease on it.
She tried to clean it but its not coming out. Any ideas how to clean it?
Its my chance to make up for my screw up.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,878
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1153 Post(s)
Liked 1,262 Times
in
799 Posts
Even though I've treated a lot of stains, for something important, irreplaceable or valuable - take it to a professional cleaner and have them assess it and pay them a few bucks to treat it professionally. Maybe give it a try yourself, but don't be afraid to take it to a pro. It won't cost very much, I'd be surprised if it was more than $10.
But the most important part is if you're trying to wash it or treat the stain, never put the item in the dryer unless you're sure the stain is gone or has been treated as well as it can be. Always air dry until you're at that point.
For DIY: The above comments are probably worth while. But I've always just used a laundry stain product that specifies grease on it. Can't tell you any specific brands off hand, but look at the labels. Some are better for food, some grass stains, some specify grease.
Then follow the directions which usually involve rubbing it in, letting it sit and then wash in as hot of water as allowed by the fabric. I usually just use "hot", but with a cushion cover like that you might experience fading if the water's too hot.
Then, let it air dry to see if the stain is gone. Don't put it in the dryer because that will set whatever stain is remaining and make it more difficult, if not impossible to remove. If the stain isn't gone, do the treatment again. Sometimes it never gets better after the first try, sometimes it gets better and it takes two or three treatments.
I also have a stain "kit" with a variety of substances and guidelines for treating various types of stains on various types of materials - carpets, upholstery, clothing, etc. Different substances for different stains and/or material.
But the most important part is if you're trying to wash it or treat the stain, never put the item in the dryer unless you're sure the stain is gone or has been treated as well as it can be. Always air dry until you're at that point.
For DIY: The above comments are probably worth while. But I've always just used a laundry stain product that specifies grease on it. Can't tell you any specific brands off hand, but look at the labels. Some are better for food, some grass stains, some specify grease.
Then follow the directions which usually involve rubbing it in, letting it sit and then wash in as hot of water as allowed by the fabric. I usually just use "hot", but with a cushion cover like that you might experience fading if the water's too hot.
Then, let it air dry to see if the stain is gone. Don't put it in the dryer because that will set whatever stain is remaining and make it more difficult, if not impossible to remove. If the stain isn't gone, do the treatment again. Sometimes it never gets better after the first try, sometimes it gets better and it takes two or three treatments.
I also have a stain "kit" with a variety of substances and guidelines for treating various types of stains on various types of materials - carpets, upholstery, clothing, etc. Different substances for different stains and/or material.