Motor Oil and Laundry

"Cajun Ginger" (CajunGinger) 01/06/2015 at 18:49 • Filed to: None

0

67

Anyone have any tips for getting some of the motor oil out of clothes?

I want to just dump some of this in my washing machine with my work clothes. Husband thinks that's a bad idea.

Thoughts? Opinions? Tips?

The worst was the day I dumped about 3 quarts of oil on me including in my hair. Usually it's not nearly that much.

crowmolly > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 18:52

3

1.) You can go to the laundromat and screw up their stuff. I do it with rags.

2.) At home I'll hand wash with Tide in a bucket and then put it in the machine.

Cajun Ginger > crowmolly 01/06/2015 at 18:54

0

either one is a pain in the butt to do with my work clothes. I might have to get more work clothes and start doing that.

Sn210 > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 18:55

0

I've read that dish detergent or wd40 works

44444444444 > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 18:56

1

Do you have a steam washing machine? We have an LG steam one and it gets everything out. Try a bucket filled with hot water and tide and agitate it. Also, fellow pilot ahoy!

Cajun Ginger > Sn210 01/06/2015 at 18:57

0

I have used dish soap before. But not in the washing machine.

Cajun Ginger > 44444444444 01/06/2015 at 18:58

0

don't have a steam machine.

What are your ratings?

Sn210 > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 19:00

1

hmm not sure if you want to do that :/

44444444444 > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 19:02

0

PPL/IR. I'm 50 hours away from my CPL. I have about 201 flight hours, 170 are PIC, and about 20 are in actual imc.

CRider > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 19:03

0

Hand wash using dish soap.

yamahog > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 19:06

1

I've heard that pretreating oil stains with chalk will do the trick, but haven't tried it yet. #squalor.

Cajun Ginger > 44444444444 01/06/2015 at 19:09

0

Multiengine?

I'm private pilot, AMEL/ME IFR. Finishing up my commercial :)

I also have my high performance because I sometimes fly 182s.

44444444444 > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 19:10

0

No multi for me just yet... But I do have .4 in a PT6A converted 421. So basically a Conquest.

Cajun Ginger > yamahog 01/06/2015 at 19:11

0

My work clothes are all black. So I don't care so much about stains. Just trying to control the oily feel and smell a little. They get pretty powerful smelling.

Cajun Ginger > CRider 01/06/2015 at 19:12

0

my son and husband do most of my laundry. They are so not going to hand wash my work jeans.

Hubby did hand wash my bra the day I came home covered in oil. :)

That was the day he brought me a change of clothes when he picked me up.

Cajun Ginger > 44444444444 01/06/2015 at 19:15

0

nice!

Get your multi then you can test for single and multi commercial back to back. The multi add on for commercial isn't really a big deal.

44444444444 > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 19:20

1

That's what I'm planning to do. Just getting the cheaper flyin' done first lol.

CRider > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 19:22

1

Well, you can wash your own greasy jeans. It's not like oil covered clothes happen all the time, unless you're a mechanic that's not very good at doing oil changes. Dish detergent it designed as a degreaser, which is why it's bad to wash your car with it (it strips all the wax off) but it will get the oil out of your clothes. The problem is, it's probably not good for your washing machine. Put some soap in a bucket of water, wash your oily clothes, rinse them off then wash them normally.

Cajun Ginger > CRider 01/06/2015 at 19:27

1

I do oil changes all day long. I'm still not very good at keeping oil off my arms when I take filters off. I wear long sleeves because it's winter and I live in Wisconsin. I stand under cars that drip snow, mud and salt on me. I'm the newest so I'm stuck underneath doing the dirty stuff. There is no way to stay entirely clean. Plus it's always the last freaking car of the day when I'm in a rush to get out of there that I spill oil on me. I really need to learn not to rush that damn last car.

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 19:36

4

I use liquid dish soap. Pour a bit onto the grease stains and rub the shirt/whatever against itself to work it in a bit. Then just chuck it in the washer on whatever cycle you normally use. I'm pretty bad at not caring about not getting oil/grease on my clothes, and that's what my mom did once when I was home for the summer a couple years ago. Works great, and I've been doing it since.

davedave1111 > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 19:45

2

Isn't that what overalls are for? (Wait, do you lot call dungarees overalls? I mean the cover-all-your-clothes ones. Coveralls?)

davedave1111 > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 19:48

1

What others have said about washing-up liquid is right. Massage it in and rinse out before washing.

If you just want to get things a bit cleaner and don't really care about leaving stains - work clothes - then you can simply use extra laundry detergent (according to the instructions on the pack) and a hot wash.

Frank Grimes > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 19:49

0

try some of that goop crap use to clean hands. I have used it before and seems to work greats.

Cajun Ginger > davedave1111 01/06/2015 at 19:51

1

coverall is correct. We wear black pants or jeans and black shirts. When I used to work with carbon fiber I wore coveralls. I do seem to gravitate toward messy jobs.

Cajun Ginger > Frank Grimes 01/06/2015 at 19:54

0

That's what I showered with today.

I started eying the scothbrite pad that I clean the shower with so figured it was a better idea to have my husband bring me the gojo.

Cajun Ginger > davedave1111 01/06/2015 at 19:55

0

yeah. I don't care about the stains. Just getting most of the oil, grime and smell out.

Frank Grimes > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 19:58

1

just like groundskeeper willie scrubbin the pits with brillo pad.

CRider > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 20:01

0

You're going to get some oil on you, but dumping 3 quarts on you is an accident/rare occurrence. If you want to really get those clothes clean, you will have to do a more thorough wash job than usual. Or you can throw them away or use them as shop rags and just buy new clothes.

Cajun Ginger > CRider 01/06/2015 at 20:07

1

the three quarts was one of my first days. That bad hasn't happened since. Half a quart was in my hair. It was a reminder of how far out the oil will arc from a higher up vehicle. Lol. Oh well people pay good money for hair hot oil treatments. (Yes I know it's not the same) It was from two different cars. That was definitely a day full of learning what not to do.

I must have had a stupid moment today and sat on the floor or something to check tire pressure. I noticed when I left that my rear was damp.

davedave1111 > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 20:13

0

"I started eying the scothbrite pad that I clean the shower with"

I have used old scourers to clean grease off my hands, but only once they've gone soft. For shower use, they're still a bit harsh. What you want is one of those old-fashioned things called a flannel - or even better, something like an old dish-towel with a nice coarse weave.

Kids these days use something called a 'shower puff'.

Cajun Ginger > Frank Grimes 01/06/2015 at 20:14

0

my shower gets so gross every time I shower after work. Time to teach the 11 year old how to use scrubbing bubbles (or whatever it is I bought last time)

Cajun Ginger > davedave1111 01/06/2015 at 20:18

1

eh. The gojo had a rough go of it. On the plus side I exfoliated! I used some sort of "loofah" type of towel with the gojo. A shower puff would have run in terror from the grime on me.

NaturallyAspirated > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 20:21

2

I've found that good old 20 Mule Team borax does a pretty good job with oil. Using hotter wash water works sometimes, other times it just sets in the stains.

One of my unluckiest friends got about 8 quarts of very used 60 weight oil sprayed all over himself when the crankcase breather clogged on a dry sump aircraft engine. I believe he used Tide and borax and his boilersuit cleaned up pretty well.

Cajun Ginger > NaturallyAspirated 01/06/2015 at 20:23

0

borax would be pretty easy to try. And yeah if I get oil on me it's usually the dirtiest, oldest crap.

MadPiglet > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 20:45

1

I wonder if a good long soak in OxiClean would work. OxiClean works on most things, but I'm not so sure about oil and I did 50 squats today so I'm not gonna go downstairs and check, haha.

I think dish detergent (especially Dawn, because that stuff is like amazingsauce) is probably your best bet. Maybe fill up a utility sink (or a tub you can scrub out later) with rilly rilly rilly hot water, dump all your gear in to soak, then run it through a rinse cycle in the washer THEN a regular wash cycle. And DO NOT throw stuff in the dryer until you're satisfied with how clean it is.

Cajun Ginger > MadPiglet 01/06/2015 at 20:49

0

I think we've tried oxyclean.

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 20:53

1

I've used Head & Shoulders shampoo for soaked in jet fuel. Worth a shot...

Cajun Ginger > V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! 01/06/2015 at 20:55

0

hmm...that's a thought.

car54 > MadPiglet 01/06/2015 at 20:55

1

Yes, Dawn is particularly good with breaking down grease and oil.

LaChategris > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 21:15

1

Hrmm if you're worried about the smell more than the grease, perhaps hit it with some white vinegar. I'd also run an empty load in the machine after you wash the clothes with some vinegar to prevent the oil from damaging the clothes that you wash after. Good luck and let me know how it turns out!! :D

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 21:18

1

A match should do the job.

Wait. Do you want to wear the clothes afterward?

Cajun Ginger > LaChategris 01/06/2015 at 21:18

0

hmm...maybe I should warn people I washed work clothes today (they're not used to me doing my own laundry)

Unpronounceable > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 21:21

1

Lestoil. Which no one has ever heard of. It's going to be on the bottom shelf of the grocery store (maybe, if they have it). Spot treat before washing. Let it soak in. Rub it in a bit. Then throw some in the washer with your laundry as well.

When I was a server, this was the only this that reliably got rid of the inevitably oil and grease stains.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss…

Cajun Ginger > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/06/2015 at 21:26

1

kinda. I'm cheap like that and it's really cold here.

lochaber, guillotine enthusiast > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 21:26

1

A few(several?) years ago, I dumped probably a quart or two of dirty motor oil on my head/tshirt.

I tried a bunch of soakings/washings to no real effect, and eventually scrubbed it with dish soap, and that worked awesome. It wasn't that labour intensive, I think i just put it in the (empty) kitchen sink, got it wet, squirted dish soap on it, and scrubbed it with a brush a bit, rinsed it, and then back in the washing machine.

Maybe just rubbing dish soap into the fabric might work, but if it's a lot, the suds might get out of control on the washing machine.

As to the degreaser, I'd be worried it could affect the hoses/seals/etc. in the washing machine. Maybe you could soak it in some in a tub/bucket, rinse it out, and then wash it?

Cajun Ginger > Unpronounceable 01/06/2015 at 21:27

0

Or Amazon works! TY.

LaChategris > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 21:29

1

I'd tell them to only wash clothes they don't care about for the next couple of washes :)

Cajun Ginger > lochaber, guillotine enthusiast 01/06/2015 at 21:29

0

I really want it to be easy and just be able to dump degreaser in. I want easy. lol.

Cajun Ginger > LaChategris 01/06/2015 at 21:31

1

Hunh. Just warned older son. He said he washed his work clothes after mine. Said his work clothes just smell like bar.

lochaber, guillotine enthusiast > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 21:33

0

I'm assuming you have your own laundry machines?

I imagine you could try dish soap, but you might have to do another cycle or two with no soap whatsoever to get all the suds out. I don't actually know, I'm just guessing...

LaChategris > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 21:34

1

Buahahaha!! I can think of worse smells?? And here's hoping that no one's delicate lacy things end up with bonus odors on them ;)

Cajun Ginger > lochaber, guillotine enthusiast 01/06/2015 at 21:35

0

yes my own machines.

Cajun Ginger > LaChategris 01/06/2015 at 21:37

1

so between my oil change clothes, his bar work clothes and husband's model shop clothes my washer and dryer are doomed. Hope the 11 yr old doesn't mind smelling like motor oil/Long Island tea/paint/saw dust etc.

LaChategris > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 21:45

1

Im laughing out loud now... mrchien looks concerned. But seriously, just throw a cup of vinegar in your machine and it should take care of the smells and make your machine all nice and sparkly!

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 21:45

1

spray and wash works. You can also pour 1 litre of coke into the washing machine, I used that sometimes when I still worked on oil rigs.

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 21:49

1

I wouldn't suggest doing what I do- Continually destroy my clothes with all manner of dirt, grease, oil, paint, etc etc until they're so bad I couldn't wear them to a homeless village for fear of being disgracefully dirty. Most people must think I'm actually a farmer.

Cajun Ginger > LaChategris 01/06/2015 at 21:50

1

hehe. You got to experience how goofy my kids are.

Cajun Ginger > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 01/06/2015 at 21:51

0

hmm. Coke?

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 22:08

1

yes, literally cocacola.

http://www.ehow.com/how_7790729_us…

Agrajag > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 22:17

1

I've used Gojo with pumice and it seemed to work really good. Got most of the stains, but all of the greasy, oily feel. Bad part is hand washing it in a sink or bucket.

Notorious GIGI > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 22:48

1

I'd put dish soap on the spot, let it soak in, spot-wash it in the sink in hot water, then throw it in the machine once you've got the oil stain out.

in general dish soap is the best thing for oil and grease because it's made to cut through it.

The Compromiser > Cajun Ginger 01/06/2015 at 23:39

0

Why would you wash the scent of Gods off of anything?? I haven't washed in years since i had the hot oil and overheated engine coolant splash on me. Still have the shirt and jeans on. I only change my undergarments. I'm not some filthy animal after all.

My wife doesn't talk to me and my kids are embarrassed by me they say. And Walmart asked that I only shop at the end of the day so I don't take any class away from their appearance.

PurpleFairy > Cajun Ginger 01/07/2015 at 01:22

1

Can of Coke in the wash, coke and only coke though. Gets rid of oil and grease and we have used it for years as I was a mechanic and my Dad still plays with grease and oily things

ATHINGWITHFEATHERS > Cajun Ginger 01/07/2015 at 03:29

1

Hot water, Oxyclean, 1/2 cup baking soda, and detergent. Toothpaste works on lots of stuff. Helps to presoak for an hour or so. Make sure you got it all out before drying.

Also, Dawn dish detergent is what they use to degrease birds after oil spills. It's great for spot treatments and presoaks.

gingerbreadlady > Cajun Ginger 01/07/2015 at 11:39

1

Isn't hand wash actually machine wash on delicate with Woolite (OK, I use regular detergent, I never have Woolite) and hang dry? Or have I had it wrong all this time?

Cajun Ginger > gingerbreadlady 01/07/2015 at 11:53

1

it can be but that's not what they mean. They mean in a bucket with dish soap.

nasty woodland creature > Cajun Ginger 01/07/2015 at 18:22

1

Dawn is supposed to be awesome. The last time I needed to get motor oil out of something, I spread dish detergent (not Dawn, I didn't know at the time how highly recommended it was) over the stain, squirted a little detergent in the bath tub, put enough water in the tub to cover the garment, and soaked over night. Then I squeezed it out and put it in the washer. The stain is still there if you look closely, but it's mostly out. If you have certain clothes that are only for work, "mostly out" should be fine.

gingerbreadlady > Cajun Ginger 01/08/2015 at 10:53

1

I see the words, but I do not understand the meaning. One puts shirts in a washer! One does NOT scrub shirts in a bucket with dish soap! Dish soap is for dishes in the sink. Buckets are for — um — well, collecting dust. SQUALOR FTW!