How to get bike oil & grease out of clothes (step-by-step)
We’ve all gotten our jeans a little too close to our bike during maintenance, or leaned against the chain wearing a new pair of white socks.
It’s easily done but knowing how to get bike oil out of your clothes is essential to restore them.
Here you’ll find various methods for removing bike grease from your clothes, so you have the best chance of saving them from nasty stains.
Whether you’re dealing with synthetic fabrics or delicate materials, there’s a viable solution.
Table of contents
The difference between bike oil and grease
Bike oils and greases are both lubricants. Oil reduces friction between the moving parts on a bike by creating a sliding film between them, whereas grease is a solid barrier used on treads and bearings to protect them from dirt.
Grease is bike oil with an added thickening agent that causes it to solidify at room temperature. It acts as a sponge and collects dirt before it can get to your bike—it’s particularly useful on your chain.
Knowing the difference between oil and grease could save time when combatting tough stains.
While they both react to our cleaning methods similarly, you can try a time-saving trick on grease before going through the same trouble—keep reading to find out more.
Related: How to tighten a bike chain (step-by-step)
How to get bike oil out of clothes
If oil is the culprit behind your stain, you can get straight into our foolproof methods for removing bike oil from your clothes.
Since it’s a liquid, it could remain damp on the surface of your clothing or be absorbed by it, depending on the material. For example, a pair of bike shorts may be easier to work with than more absorbent denim jeans.
Your best bet in all scenarios is to act fast before it can dry into the fabric and keep it away from other clothes. But if you’re working with a dry stain, we still have plenty of tips.
Remember: never throw oil-stained clothes into the washing machine—this will further trap the stain or even worsen it.
How to remove bike oil stains with washing up liquid
Washing up liquid is fantastic for removing oil and grease—it’s designed to combat both when cleaning dirty dishes.
This should be your go-to method if you’re working with a fresh stain on cotton or synthetic fabrics.
But if the stain is dry, sprinkle some cornflour or talcum powder on the area and leave it for 10 minutes beforehand.
Step 1: gently rub some liquid directly onto the stain using an old toothbrush
Step 2: once the stain is completely covered and the liquid has lathered up, run it under cool water for a few minutes, making sure the pressure is high—get as much oil out of the fabric as possible. Ensure you let the water run through the back of the stain to the front
Step 3: place the clothing into the washing machine as you usually would, using the guidelines shown on the label
Step 4: hang the garment outside, checking on the stain every few hours to see if it’s still visible—if so, repeat the process
Related: How to clean rust off a bike
How to remove bike oil stains with laundry detergent
Biological laundry detergent is the most effective at removing bike grease or oil from clothes, as it contains enzymes known for breaking down stains into smaller pieces.
Fresh or dry stains on synthetic fabrics should yield to this method.
Delicate fabrics such as silk and wool should be treated with baking soda instead—skip ahead for this process.
Step 1: gently apply a small amount of detergent to the stain using an old toothbrush and allow it to soak in for ten minutes
Step 2: rinse it underneath cool water from the back of the stain to the front—this is the most natural way for the grease to run out of the fabric
Step 3: checking the instructions on the label, either hand or machine wash the garment as you usually would
Step 4: hang the garment outside to dry. If the stain is persistent, repeat the process
How to remove bike oil stains with soap
Using a mild hand wash or bar soap can be useful if you’re working with fresh or dry stains on synthetic fabrics and don’t have anything else to hand.
Laundry soap bars may achieve better results on tough stains—ensure they’re fine to use on the garment first.
Step 1: dampen the fabric before applying either hand or bar soap to the affected area and leave it for ten minutes
Step 2: work the soap into the stain using an old toothbrush, then rinse it underneath cool water from the back to the front
Step 3: if the stain is persistent, add more soap with a small amount of salt to the stain and gently rub it into a paste with the toothbrush. Or use a mixture of water and vinegar to rinse it
Step 4: wash the garment according to the washing guidelines shown on the label and leave it to dry. Repeat the process if the stain is still visible
How to remove bike oil stains with baking soda
Since baking soda is a natural alternative to the chemicals mentioned above, it’s great for treating fresh or dry stains on delicate fabrics such as silk or wool.
It gently draws oil and grease out of fabric without damaging the fibres, so it’s a safer way of removing bike oil from clothes.
Step 1: start by sprinkling a small amount of baking soda directly onto the stain—the material should be dry at this point (apart from the stain if it’s fresh)
Step 2: leave the garment to sit overnight to allow the baking soda to absorb the oil or grease and draw out the stain
Step 3: gently brush away the baking soda in the morning—it should have removed most, if not all, of the stain
Step 4: hand wash the garment with a detergent suitable for the material and let it air dry. Repeat the process if the stain is still visible
Related: The 9 best cycling jerseys for every season
How to get bike grease out of clothes
As we mentioned earlier, removing bike grease from clothes can be made easier than using the methods above with a simple trick.
If you don’t have a degreaser to hand, the washing up liquid method is the closest and probably the easiest to try instead.
We recommend avoiding the method below if working with delicate fabrics—it works best on tougher materials like denim or leather.
Step 1: apply a small amount of degreaser to the stain, and let it sink in for ten minutes
Step 2: use a bristled brush to gently scrub the stain
Step 3: rinse the stain from back to front under cool water, ensuring the degreaser is also washed out thoroughly
Step 4: if the stain is persistent, repeat the process
Specialist cycling insurance through Cycleplan
While you can’t insure your clothes, you may want to protect your bike and other cycling equipment through specialist cycling insurance.
With Cycleplan, the cover protects your bike on a new for old replacement basis if it is lost or stolen. If it was bought new and is less than three years old, we’ll replace it with a brand-new bike. We can also help cover the cost of repairs if it’s damaged.
You can also include Personal Accident and Public Liability cover to protect you if you accidentally injure someone or damage third-party property while out on your bike.
Learn more about how we can help here, or get an instant online quote today.
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