If you have walked in oil or grease and left stains inside your vehicle (or perhaps you were careless while doing repair work), you should remove them as soon as possible. Although oil and grease are slightly different, there are some techniques you can use to remove stains from both substances. You can improve and vary these strategies by using products from different brands, but in practice you will need to steam clean, wash, dissolve or absorb the oils that stain the car. Often a combination of the following steps will be required.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Clean Oil and Grease Stains from Mats and Cloth Seats
Step 1. Get to know your enemy
For cleaning, it does not matter whether you have stained the interior of the car with oil or grease. Here because:
- Oils are defined as any water insoluble substance: soluble in organic solvents (non-polar fluids such as gasoline) and liquids at room temperature.
- Fats, on the other hand, are simply oils that contain additives that make them semi-solid (a consistency similar to gelatin) at room temperature. These additives are solid and are not absorbed by the surfaces of the car interior.
- This means that after removing all contaminants from the interior surface, what remains is an oil stain.
- To clean the oil from the seats you have to follow the same procedure as for removing it from the mats.
Step 2. Scrape off all excess oil and fat
You can use a paint scraper, spoon or knife. It doesn't matter if the tool is metal or plastic, but be careful not to pierce the seat.
Step 3. Blot the stain
This will remove any oil or grease left on the surface of the interior. Use a dry paper towel to do this.
Step 4. Apply baking soda to the stain
The powder will absorb the oil. Let the baking soda sit for 10-15 minutes.
Step 5. Remove the baking soda
You can use a vacuum cleaner or sweep it away. If the stain is very large, you could sprinkle more baking soda on it and repeat the process several times.
Step 6. Clean the mat with dry cleaning solvent if a halo is left
If the stain is still there, you can repeat the process until you notice any improvement. Instructions for blotting and cleaning with a sponge with a particular detergent are included in the product package. When you no longer get satisfactory results with this method, you should move on to the following.
Step 7. Scrub with a degreaser
A cleanser with a degreasing action is often sufficient to remove oil stains, especially if they are fresh. This is the most common and direct way to get rid of an oil or grease stain.
Step 8. Clean the stained area with steam
If you haven't removed the oil with the degreaser, you may need to use steam to get it to the surface. The heat of the steam will heat the carpet fibers, opening the pores. The oil trapped in the fabric will rise to the surface and you can remove it.
- You can use a traditional steam cleaner for this purpose.
- If you don't have one, you can put a brown paper bag over the stain to soak up the oils. Then, apply some steam by placing an iron over the bag.
Method 2 of 4: Remove Grease and Oil from Leather with a Degreaser
Step 1. Remove excess grease from the leather surface
Scratch and blot the seat to make sure you remove as much oil as possible before trying to get rid of the stain.
Step 2. Make a degreasing mixture
Just add a degreasing detergent to hot water and shake everything. This is the most common and direct way to get rid of a grease stain.
Step 3. Clean the stained area
Rub the dirty spot thoroughly with the degreasing solution, a rag or a microfiber towel. If you notice that some of the color of the leather has transferred to the rag, stop immediately and let the area dry before resuming cleaning.
Step 4. Use a wet towel to remove the cleanser
For this purpose, distilled water is better than tap water. Make sure there is no foam or soap left on the seat. Any residue would collect the dust.
Method 3 of 4: Remove Grease and Oil from Leather with Sodium Bicarbonate
Step 1. Make a baking soda paste
If the degreaser alone didn't work or if you want to get rid of bad smells, you can mix 90ml hot water, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, half a teaspoon of flour, and a tablespoon of salt to make a cleansing paste. Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix them until you get a paste.
Step 2. Rub the stain with the resulting paste
Baking soda generates more friction than other degreasers. This will come in handy if the stain needs to be scrubbed a lot. Use a rag or preferably a microfiber cloth to apply the paste to the affected area. If it's a small or cracked spot, you can use a toothbrush for better results.
Step 3. Remove the paste with a wet towel
Use a wet or microfiber cloth to remove the cleaner and grease. Just use distilled water for this step.
Step 4. Repeat the operation
If the stain has not completely disappeared after the first cleaning, repeat the process until the desired result is achieved.
Method 4 of 4: Remove the Grease and Oil from the Plastic
Step 1. Follow the previous methods to create a degreasing solution
You should treat this surface like leather. Do not use a thinner or paint stripper such as toluene or lacquer. You could damage the plastic.
Step 2. Choose a sponge or brush
Make sure these tools aren't rough enough to scratch the plastic. You can use a toothbrush for small or hard to reach areas.
Step 3. Rub the stain
Dip your chosen cleaning tool into the degreasing solution and start scrubbing the plastic. If you produce foam, you can remove it with a paper towel or rag.
Step 4. Rinse everything with distilled water
Tap water will also be fine. This step will remove the detergent and oils left on the surface of the plastic.
Advice
- You can use cornstarch instead of baking soda.
- With an ice cube you can remove crayon stains from the interior of the car. Hold the cube on the stain until the crayon wax hardens. Use an old credit card or knife to scrape off the debris.
- If the stain is old, apply petroleum jelly to the area and let it sit for 15 minutes before attempting any of the techniques described above.
- Baking soda also acts as a deodorant.
- Some people decide to use solvents such as carburetor cleaners instead of dry cleaners.
Warnings
- Use solvents and cleaners in well-ventilated areas.
- It is impossible to remove some stains.
- Do not pour undiluted detergents on any of the surfaces mentioned in the article. There would remain a patina capable of attracting dust and difficult to remove.
