How to get rid of grease stains in a car

Whether you repair your car yourself, work in a place where oil or grease is regularly used, or encounter oil or grease, you can track the grease or oil in your vehicle.

Grease and oil are difficult to remove because they are not water based materials. In fact, treating a greasy or oily stain with water will only spread it.

It's easy to trace oil from a parking lot or driveway onto your car's carpet or drip oily substances onto upholstery. With the right products and a few minutes of your time, you can clean up these spills and keep your car's interior surfaces looking like new.

Method 1 of 4: Prepare upholstery for cleaning

Necessary materials

• Clean cloth
• Metal paint scraper or plastic spoon or knife
• WD-40

Step 1: Remove excess grease or oil. Scrape excess fat or oily matter from the fabric. Scrape the stain gently, holding the scraper at an angle to remove as much grease or oil as possible.

• Attention: Do not use a sharp knife or object that could tear the upholstery.

Step 2: Wipe off wet grease. Use a clean cloth to remove grease or oil. Don't wipe the stain, as it will push it further into the upholstery and spread it.

• Attention: This step only works if the stain is still wet. If the stain is dry, spray a few drops of WD-40 to rewet it.

Method 2 of 4: Clean fabric upholstery with dishwashing detergent.

Necessary materials

• Bucket of warm water
• Dishwashing liquid
• Toothbrush

Step 1: Apply dishwashing liquid to the stain.. Apply a few drops of dishwashing liquid to the upholstery. Gently rub it into the grease stain with your fingertip.

• Functions: Use dishwashing liquid that removes grease well.

Step 2: Add water to the stain. Use a clean cloth to soak up the warm water and squeeze a small amount onto the grease stain.

Let the dishwashing solution set for a few minutes.

Scrub the stain gently with an old toothbrush. Carefully work in small circles, trying not to go beyond the border of the existing spot.

The soap will begin to foam, which will begin to release grease from the fabric.

Step 3: Blot off excess liquid. Use a dry cloth or paper towel to blot up excess liquid.

• Functions: Do not wipe the liquid, otherwise you may smear the stain.

Step 4: Remove Dishwashing Liquid. Use a damp cloth to remove dish soap. Rinse it out and keep blotting the stain until all the dish soap is gone.

• Functions: You may need to repeat the process several times to completely remove the stain.

Let the upholstery dry completely.

Method 3 of 4 Remove grease or oil with baking soda.

Necessary materials

• Baking soda
• Metal paint scraper or plastic spoon or knife
• soft brush
• vacuum

Step 1: Prepare the Fabric Surface. Scrape as much fat as possible from the surface of the fabric with a scraper.

Step 2: Apply baking soda to the stain.. Sprinkle the stain with baking soda.

Baking soda is superabsorbent and will trap fat or oil particles which can then be removed.

Step 3: Brush off the baking soda. Rub the baking soda into the fabric with a soft-bristled brush.

• Functions: Use a brush that will not pull the threads of the fabric and will not pill the fabric.

Step 4: Repeat the process. Apply more baking soda if you notice that it is sticky or discolored due to grease.

Leave the baking soda on the surface of the fabric for several hours. Best for overnight.

Step 5: Remove the baking soda. Vacuum the baking soda off the upholstery.

• Functions: Use a wet and dry vacuum cleaner if you have one.

Step 6: Check Upholstery. If the fat or oil is still present, repeat the baking soda method again to completely remove it.

You can also try another way to remove the stain if baking soda doesn't completely remove it.

Method 4 of 4: Remove Grease or Oil from Carpet

Necessary materials

• Brown paper bag, towel or paper towel
• Carpet shampoo

• Iron

• Functions: Before using any products, test them on a small area first to make sure they do not fade or change the color of the fabric.

Step 1: Remove excess oil or grease. Use a knife or paint scraper to remove excess oil or grease from the carpet. As with fabric, scrape gently at an angle to avoid damaging the carpet fibers.

Step 2: Place a paper bag over the stain.. Open a brown paper bag or paper towel and place it over the stain.

Step 3: Iron the paper bag.. Heat the iron to a warm temperature and iron the paper bag. At this stage, the lubricant or oil is transferred to the paper.

Step 4: Apply Carpet Shampoo. Apply carpet shampoo to the carpet and scrub it with a carpet brush.

Step 5: Remove excess water. Blot excess water with a clean cloth or paper towel and let the carpet dry completely.

It is best to remove oil or grease stains inside the car as soon as possible.

Although oil and grease stains are slightly different, there are several common methods for removing the stains left by them. You may need to use a combination of the various methods in this article to remove stubborn grease or oil stains.