how to get bike grease out of clothes

4 Proven Methods on How to Get Bike Grease Out of Clothes

How to get bike grease out of clothes – Bike grease is one of the most important ways to keep your bike healthy, and using a good amount of it on the chain, cassette and other key areas is really important to ensure your bike runs smoothly in all weather conditions.

However, bike grease is also incredibly messy, and there’s nothing worse than finding a horrible black stain on your favourite biking socks, trainers, or jeans, this can cause a lot of stress and panic, as you may well expect that stubborn bike grease won’t be easy to remove when it’s embedded in your clothing.

However, there are several things you can do to remove bike grease from your beloved clothing, so don’t worry about trying to find a replacement just yet.

In this guide we’re going to look at some of the most important tips and methods for removing bike grease from your clothing, using several different types of detergents and cleaning agents to ensure that everyone can keep their clothes clear of grease, regardless of what you have available, or how much of a mess you’ve managed to make.

We’re also going to look at a few key tips to start off with, to ensure you get the best results possible, so let’s start with those.

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First Steps and General Tips

Before you get started, the first and most important tip is not to panic too much.

Yes, bike grease can be stubborn and difficult to clean off, but rushing to wipe it off with your hands or a cloth will only engrain the grease deeper into the fibres of the garment, making the stain more stubborn and harder to remove later.

Avoid stains and protect your trousers by using High Reflective Leg Cuff Clips.

how to get bike grease out of clothes leg cuff clips

So if you notice this has happened, don’t start rubbing or rinsing the piece of clothing in a panic without thinking about using the correct materials first.

While panicking is bad, you still need to act fast. The sooner you attempt to remove the stain, the easier it will be to clean off, and there will be a much higher chance of success.

Also, remember to check the care label of your particular garment, as this will highlight what cleaning techniques are suitable, and will help prevent you from damaging your clothing more than the grease already has.

Finally, before you start using any cleaning products or methods on your garment, always test a small amount in an inconspicuous area to ensure that if there is an issue that it doesn’t make the situation even worse.

Now, let’s take a look at the removal methods themselves!

How to Remove Bike Grease Using Dish Soap

how to get bike grease out of clothes

When it comes to grease stains on cotton or synthetic fibres, using dish soap is a great first thing to try for a quick and easy solution.

Take a small amount of dish soap or dishwashing liquid and rub this onto the stain gently.

This is ideal because dishwasher detergent actually attacks grease, and can cut through it well, helping loosen and remove the stain a lot.

Next, rinse the stain well with lukewarm water, and allow the water to flow through the garment from the opposite side of the stain, as this will flush out the stain particles that have been loosened by the dishwater detergent.

Now you can wash the garment as you normally would, either in a washing machine or any other method.

Always follow the instructions on the care label and allow to try thoroughly, ideally outside, as tumble drying can make any remnants of the stain very engrained.

How to Remove Bike Grease Using Biological Detergent

This method is best for dried-on stains and synthetic fibres, as well as stains that are fresh and recent.

It’s a good idea to use a little Biokleen Bac-Out Stain Remover on the stain directly at first, rubbing it in with a soft toothbrush or just your finger, and allowing it to stand for a few minutes.

how to get bike grease out of clothes bio detergent stain remover

Again, flush the stain with some lukewarm water from behind, allowing the detergent to wash away with the stain.

From here you can either do a standard hand wash of the garment or use your washing machine to clean the garment fully according to the proper care instructions included with the garment.

Be aware, using biological detergent isn’t suitable for wool, silk, and more delicate fabrics, so it’s always best to check before you buy.

How to Remove Bike Grease Stains With Baking Soda

This method is best for drying stains that are on more delicate fabrics and materials such as silk or wool.

Sprinkle some baking soda directly on the stain. This is key as baking soda draws out oil and grease from fabric and textiles. Allow the baking soda to work into the fibres.

hot to get bike grease out of clothes baking soda

This is a great choice as baking soda doesn’t damage the garments as they work which is why it’s so useful for delicate fabrics.

Leave the power to work overnight, and brush it away the following morning. After this amount of time, a considerable amount of the stain should’ve reduced or disappeared as it was absorbed by baking soda.

Now you can wash your clothes according to their included care instructions, ideally using the delicate wash mode on your washing machine.

Alternative Methods

If you’re really worried about a particularly fine or delicate garment and want to ensure maximum success, you could resort to using a dry cleaner, as this will give the best results and chances of success, however, dry cleaners can be expensive and time-consuming.

Final Thoughts

While removing bike grease can be messy and frustrating, following these tips should tell you how to get bike grease out of clothes, whilst saving you a lot of time and effort to ensure your beloved bike socks and trousers remain stain-free for many years to come.

Providing you don’t lose them or ruin them with overuse of course!

4 Proven Methods on How to Get Bike Grease Out of Clothes

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