How to easily wash fuel oil from light and dark clothes?

Workers in some professions and motorists inevitably face the problem of fuel oil on clothes. This is a difficult type of stain, so it will take some effort. Fuel oil is a product of petroleum distillation and contains resins and other residual components. It reacts poorly to acetone, alcohol and other known stain removers. How to wash fuel oil from clothes without contacting a dry cleaning service?

The easiest way to remove a fresh stain is when the dark brown liquid has not yet had time to be absorbed into the fibers of the fabric. Take your time to sprinkle fine salt on the stain, as is customary to do when removing other grease-containing stains. In this case, this method does not work. You can clean fabric at home using other petroleum products - gasoline, toluene, kerosene.

Removing stains with organic solvents

Gasoline can help remove fuel oil stains, but for washing you should worry about purchasing it in advance. The gasoline sold at gas stations is not suitable for these purposes; you will need a purified product. You can buy it at a hardware store. Apply gasoline to a soft cloth or cotton wool and wipe the stain. When the rags become dirty, replace them with clean ones. After using gasoline, a persistent technical smell remains, so clothes should then be washed with washing powder and rinsed thoroughly.In case of extensive contamination, the damaged item can be placed entirely in an organic solvent and then washed. In the same way, it is easy to remove contamination using kerosene.
A good remedy for oil stains is a mixture of turpentine with the addition of white clay, soda and ammonia.. Bulk substances are mixed in equal parts, a little turpentine and ammonia are added until a slurry is obtained. The paste is applied to the stain and left to dry. You can scrub off the frozen mixture with a brush, then wash the item as usual.
Excellent results are obtained after using toluene. It is quite difficult to find it in its pure form, but this substance is part of special solvents for paints and varnishes. They wipe the contaminated area with it in several passes until the result is obtained. Toluene is a toxic compound, so be sure to wear gloves and ventilate the area thoroughly after using the solvent.

If the stain is small

Small stains can be removed using an iron and paper napkins. In this case, you need to stock up not only with a set of absorbent paper, but also with patience. Cover the contaminated area on both sides with napkins or blotting paper, then iron this area several times with a warm iron. The oily stain is gradually absorbed into the paper, which is thrown away as it becomes dirty. At the end of the procedure, the items are washed using a stain remover.

Household chemicals

How to wash fuel oil quickly if you don’t have an organic solvent at hand? To remove grease stains at home, a dishwashing detergent is suitable, for example Fairy - a fairly harmless substance that does not harm the fabric and is quite suitable for treating dyed items and jeans. Clothes are soaked in warm water with the addition of washing gel, then washed in a machine. You can try using a stain remover like Vanish. It is poured onto the stain, left for the required time and washed in the usual way.

However, some stain removers contain chlorine and can cause clothing to fade and have whitish streaks. Such products are not suitable for dark clothes and jeans. In this case, you can purchase special household chemicals designed for colored and dark things.

Car cosmetics

Many car shampoos contain substances that help remove fuel oil from clothes. You can buy them yourself or ask for a little product at the car wash. Car shampoos are gentle and safe for many fabrics.

Tar soap

Folk remedies

Gasoline and toluene emit a rather unpleasant odor and can damage your hands. To avoid inhaling the fumes of these compounds, you can use safe stain removal methods.

The following remedies are used at home.

Fir or eucalyptus oil. The contaminated area is moistened with it, then the stain should be wiped off with a cotton swab. These products act more slowly than organic solvents, but they are safe for health and do not damage your hands.
Tar soap. It is sold in pharmacies and in the cosmetic departments of hardware stores. Soap is used liberally on things.
"Antipyatin" with glycerin.You can try to wipe off small fresh stains with it.
Butter. It can be used to clean a small stain if you generously lubricate the stained area and leave it to soak for several hours. For subsequent removal of fatty substances, organic solvents are used.

Removing stains from light-colored items

For these purposes it will be useful caustic soda, in the solution of which the fabric is soaked and kept for at least 3 hours. You need to take 200 grams of soda per bucket of water. This method is useful for refreshing old overalls or washed-out jeans that you would hate to throw away. However, caustic soda has a negative effect on the skin, so wear gloves on your hands.

Some useful tips

You already know several answers to the question of how to remove fuel oil from clothes. But when working with grease stains, you should adhere to the following rule: you should move from the edge of the stain to its middle. This way you can remove dirt and avoid streaks.

When working in the garage, bring clothes that you don't mind getting dirty, such as old jeans. It's good to have a supply of paper towels, you can use them to wipe off dirt from your hands. It can be difficult to wash fuel oil with regular soap, but it can be easily done with dishwashing detergent. Apply a few drops to your hands and your skin will quickly become clear.

Before using any stain remover, it is better to experiment on an inconspicuous area of clothing. If the item has not lost its appearance, you can safely begin removing the fuel oil.