How to Get Motor Oil Smell Out of Clothes: Proven Methods

Written by Rahman Ahmed / Reviewed by Gull Raiz Ahmed / Wednesday April 3, 2024

“Out, out, motor oil smell!” Does the lingering odor of motor oil on your clothes have you feeling frustrated? Fear not! We’ve got you covered with effective methods to eliminate that stubborn scent and save your favorite garments. Whether it’s a small stain or a full-on drenching, these steps will help you bid farewell to the motor oil smell once and for all. From using common household products like Dawn dish soap to trying heavy-duty cleaning techniques, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know. Say goodbye to those pesky motor oil odors and hello to fresh-smelling clothes in no time!

Step 1: Pre-wash stain removal

To remove motor oil stains and get rid of that pesky motor oil smell from your clothes, it’s important to act quickly and remove any excess oil before treating the odor. Here’s what you need to do:

Act quickly to remove excess motor oil from clothes before treating the odor.

When you notice a motor oil stain on your clothes, don’t waste any time. The sooner you tackle it, the better chance you have of getting rid of both the stain and the smell. Time is of the essence!

Blot the stained area with a paper towel or absorbent cloth to soak up as much oil as possible.

Grab a paper towel or an absorbent cloth and gently blot the stained area to remove the rancid oil smell. This will help soak up as much of the oil as possible before it has a chance to set into your clothes. Remember, no rubbing – we want to avoid spreading the rancid oil smell further into the fabric fibers.

Use a pre-wash stain remover or dish soap to break down and lift the remaining oil residue.

Now that you’ve removed most of the excess oil, it’s time to tackle what’s left behind. Grab a pre-wash stain remover or some dish soap and apply it directly onto the stained area to remove the rancid oil. These products are designed to break down and lift tough stains like motor oil, making them perfect for this task.

Step 2: Using vinegar and baking soda solution

To combat the stubborn motor oil smell on your clothes, it’s time to bring out the big guns – vinegar and baking soda! These household ingredients are a dynamic duo. Here’s how you can use them effectively:

Create a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle

  • Grab a spray bottle and mix together equal amounts of white vinegar, water, and rancid oil.
  • This concoction will be your secret weapon against the motor oil smell.
  • Make sure to shake the bottle well to ensure the ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Spray the affected areas generously with the vinegar solution

  • Now that you have your vinegar solution ready, it’s time to get spraying! Liberally spritz the affected areas of your clothing with the mixture, ensuring that you cover every nook and cranny where the motor oil odor lingers.

Sprinkle baking soda over the sprayed areas

  • Once you’ve sprayed your clothes with the vinegar solution, grab some trusty baking soda.
  • Sprinkle a generous amount over the sprayed areas.
  • Baking soda works wonders as a natural deodorizer and will help neutralize any lingering odors.

Let it sit for at least 30 minutes

  • Patience is key here! Allow your garment to sit undisturbed for at least 30 minutes.
  • During this time, both the vinegar and baking soda will work their magic by absorbing odors from deep within the fabric fibers.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to banishing that pesky motor oil smell from your clothes. So go ahead, give this method a try and say goodbye to unpleasant odors!

Step 3: Treating clothes with Borax

  • To tackle that stubborn motor oil smell lingering on your clothes, it’s time to bring in the big guns: Borax.
  • This powerful powder is known for its natural odor-fighting properties and can help eliminate even the toughest of smells.

Here’s how you can use Borax to banish that motor oil smell from your garments:

Dissolve Borax powder in warm water

  • Start by following the instructions on the package of Borax powder and dissolve it in warm water.
  • Make sure to mix it well until the powder is completely dissolved.

Soak the smelly clothes in the Borax solution

  • Once you have your Borax solution ready, it’s time to give those smelly clothes a good soak.
  • Submerge them in the solution, ensuring that all areas of the garment are covered.
  • Let them soak for several hours or even overnight if possible.

Let Borax break down tough odors

  • The natural properties of Borax work wonders.
  • As you let your clothes soak, the Borax will get to work and start neutralizing those unpleasant smells.

Wash as usual with detergent and cold water

After giving your garments a nice long soak, it’s time to wash them as you normally would. Use your regular laundry detergent and opt for cold water instead of hot. Cold water helps prevent any remaining odor molecules from setting into the fabric.

Remember, always check the care label on your clothing before using any cleaning methods or products. Some fabrics may require special treatment or professional cleaning.

By treating your smelly clothes with a Borax solution, you’re harnessing its natural odor-fighting powers to combat that pesky motor oil smell. Give it a try and say goodbye to unwanted odors!

Step 4: Washing clothes with ammonia

  • To tackle that stubborn motor oil smell on your clothes, it’s time to bring out the big guns – ammonia! This powerful ingredient is known for its ability to eliminate strong odors effectively. Here’s how you can use it:

Add half a cup of ammonia directly into your washing machine along with regular laundry detergent.

  • Ammonia works best when combined with your usual laundry detergent.
  • Simply pour in about half a cup of ammonia into the washing machine along with the detergent before starting the wash cycle.

Put your stinky and dirty clothes in the washing machine and wash them with cold water.

  • Once you’ve added the ammonia and detergent, toss in your smelly clothes into the washing machine.
  • Make sure to set the wash cycle to normal and choose cold water settings.
  • Cold water helps prevent any potential damage to your garments while still effectively removing odors.

Ensure proper ventilation when using ammonia and avoid mixing it with bleach or other cleaning products.

  • Ammonia has a strong scent itself, so make sure you have good ventilation in the room where you’re doing laundry.
  • Open windows or turn on fans if possible. Never mix ammonia with bleach or other cleaning products, as it can produce harmful fumes.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to say goodbye to that pesky motor oil smell lingering on your clothes. Remember, though, always exercise caution when working with chemicals like ammonia and ensure proper safety measures are in place.

Step 5: Presoaking method for stubborn oil smells

To tackle those persistent motor oil smells that just won’t budge, it’s time to bring out the big guns with a presoaking method.

Here’s how you can do it:

Create a solution of warm water and enzyme-based laundry detergent in a basin or sink.

  • Fill up your basin or sink with warm water and add some enzyme-based laundry detergent.
  • The enzymes in the detergent will help break down the rancid oil smell and lift any remaining stains from your clothes.

Submerge the affected garments in this solution, ensuring they are fully soaked.

  • Take your smelly clothes and fully submerge them in the warm water and detergent solution.
  • Make sure all areas of the garments are soaked so that the solution can work its magic on those stubborn oil odors.

Allow the clothes to presoak for several hours or overnight to break down persistent motor oil odors.

  • Patience is key here! Let your clothes sit in the solution for several hours or even overnight.
  • This extended soaking time will give the enzymes enough time to break down those pesky motor oil odors that have been lingering on your garments.

After presoaking, wash the clothes as usual using cold water and detergent.

Once you’ve given your clothes ample time to presoak, it’s time for their regular wash. Simply transfer them into your washing machine, set it to a cold water cycle, add your usual detergent, and let it work its cleaning magic.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to effectively eliminate those unpleasant motor oil smells from your clothes. Remember, persistence is key when dealing with stubborn odors!

Conclusion

Alright, you’ve made it to the end of this blog post! By now, you should have a good idea of how to tackle that pesky motor oil smell on your clothes. We covered some effective methods for removing the odor and getting your garments smelling fresh again.

To recap, we started by pre-washing the stained area to remove any excess oil. Then, we moved on to using a vinegar and baking soda solution to break down the odor-causing molecules. After that, we treated the clothes with Borax and washed them with ammonia for an extra boost. Finally, we discussed a presoaking method for those stubborn oil smells.

Now it’s time for you to put these tips into action! Give them a try and see which method works best for you. Remember, patience is key when dealing with tough odors like motor oil. Don’t be discouraged if it takes a couple of tries to completely eliminate the smell.

So go ahead, rescue your favorite clothes from that unpleasant motor oil scent! You’ll be back in fresh-smelling fashion in no time. Good luck!

FAQs

How can I remove motor oil smell from my clothes?

Removing motor oil smell from clothes can be a challenging task, but fear not! Here are some effective methods to help you get rid of that stubborn odor:

  1. Sprinkle baking soda: Liberally sprinkle baking soda on the affected area of your clothes and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Baking soda is known for its odor-absorbing properties, so it will help neutralize the motor oil smell.

  2. Pre-treat with dish soap: Apply a small amount of dish soap directly onto the stained area and gently rub it in. Dish soap is designed to break down grease and oil, making it an excellent pre-treatment option.

  3. Wash with vinegar: Add half a cup of white vinegar to your washing machine along with your regular detergent. Vinegar helps eliminate odors by breaking down the oils responsible for the smell.

  4. Use enzyme-based stain remover: Enzyme-based stain removers are specifically formulated to tackle tough stains like motor oil. Follow the instructions on the product label and apply it to the affected area before laundering.

  5. Air dry outdoors: After washing, hang your clothes outside in direct sunlight if possible. Sunlight has natural deodorizing properties that can further help eliminate any lingering motor oil smell.

Remember, always check garment care labels before using any cleaning method and test a small inconspicuous area first to ensure there are no adverse effects on your clothing’s fabric or color.

Can I use regular laundry detergent to remove motor oil smell?

While regular laundry detergent may help remove some of the motor oil smell from your clothes, it might not be enough to completely eliminate it. Motor oil is notorious for being stubborn and long-lasting.

To increase your chances of success, consider using additional odor-fighting methods such as pre-treating with dish soap, using baking soda, or incorporating vinegar into your wash. These extra steps can help break down the oils and neutralize the smell more effectively.

Is it possible to save clothes that have been heavily saturated with motor oil?

Pre-treating heavily saturated clothes with dish soap can be an effective method for removing motor oil stains. Dish soap is designed to break down grease and oil, making it a suitable option for this type of stain. Here’s how you can pre-treat the clothes:

  1. Start by blotting off any excess oil with paper towels or absorbent cloths. This will help remove as much oil as possible before applying the dish soap.

  2. Apply a small amount of dish soap directly to the stained area. Gently rub the soap into the fabric using your fingers or a soft brush. Make sure to cover the entire stain with the soap.

  3. Let the dish soap sit on the stain for about 10-15 minutes. This will give it time to penetrate the fabric and break down the oil.

  4. After the recommended time, rinse the garment thoroughly with warm water. Make sure to rinse out all the soap residue.

  5. Inspect the stained area to see if the motor oil stain has been removed. If the stain is still visible, repeat the pre-treatment process with dish soap.

  6. Once the stain is completely removed, wash the garment as you normally would. Use a regular laundry detergent and follow the care instructions on the clothing label.

It’s important to note that pre-treating with dish soap may not completely remove all motor oil stains, especially if they are heavily saturated. In such cases, you may need to consider professional dry cleaning or using specialized stain removers. However, pre-treating with dish soap is a good first step to try before exploring other options.

About The Author

Avatar for Rahman Ahmed

Rahman Ahmed

I am a general entrepreneur, an expert in a variety of technical sectors, and an enthusiast.

Categories: Maintenance
Tags: how to remove, motor oil stains
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