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Getting bike chain grease out of clothing is no easy task. With the speed at which grease stains penetrate fabrics, removing the stain and restoring your clothes to their former glory can be a daunting process.
However, with a little patience and effort, you will be able to get the grease out and keep your clothes looking fresh and new.
And thankfully, there are some things you can do at home to effectively remove grease stains. This guide will show you how to remove bike grease from clothing, so read on!
Effective methods to remove grease from clothes
Removing bike stains from your clothes can be a challenge, but the methods listed below will help you make the task easier. Let's take a closer look at each of them!
Method 1: Remove bicycle grease from clothing with washing-up liquid
Dishwashing liquid is an excellent degreaser. Follow the steps below to remove fresh stains from cotton and synthetic fabrics.
- First, take a clean, white cloth and dampen it with a few drops of dish soap.
- Make sure the fabric is thoroughly soaked.
- Once you've done that, gently rub the dish soap onto the stain in a circular motion until you see the grease begin to rise.
- Once most stubborn stains are removed, rinse your cloth. Try running the water from the back of the stained area for a few minutes. You want to wash the stain away rather than pushing it further into your clothes.
- Take a clean cloth and blot to absorb excess water from your clothing.
- Repeat the process until most of the fat is completely gone.
- Once this is achieved, wash with detergent depending on how delicate your synthetic and cotton garments are.
Method 2: Remove bike grease from clothing with baking soda
Another effective way to remove grease from clothing is to use baking soda. Baking soda is particularly good for removing stains from delicate fabrics. It pulls out the fat without damaging your clothes. The steps are as follows:
- To remove a fresh stain, sprinkle baking soda on the stained area.
- Leave the baking soda on overnight to absorb the oil. Dust off powder in the morning.
- Hand wash your clothes with a mild detergent and air dry.
Pro tip: You can also use talcum powder or baby powder if you don't have baking soda. Apply a generous amount to the stained area and leave overnight. Dust off the powder and wash your clothes with a mild liquid detergent.
(Video) How To Remove Bike Oil Stains From Clothes | GCN Tech Cleaning Tips
Method 3: How to get chain oil out of clothes with white vinegar and laundry detergent
Another grease removal method is to mix white vinegar and detergent into a solution. Follow the simple steps below to remove grease stains from durable fabrics.
- Dampen the stained area.
- After that, you can start mixing the liquid detergent and vinegar solution before using it to scrub out the grease stain.
- You'll need to leave it on for about an hour before blotting up excess moisture with paper towels.
- For particularly bad stains, make sure to scrub in an upward motion as you scrub to get the grease out. It may take some time, but your clothes will be clean and grease-free.
- Wash and dry your clothes as usual
Method 4: Remove tire grease from clothing with lemon juice

Sometimes it can be difficult to remove the stains from your clothes. Alternatively, you can use the juice of a lemon to remove black grease stains from fabrics. Here's how:
- First, mix a solution of one part lemon juice and ten parts water.
- Spray the solution onto the stain before leaving it on for about 30 minutes.
- When this time has passed, remove the grease by gently scrubbing the area with an old toothbrush.
- You can then rinse off by spraying clean water on the stained area before patting dry with paper towels.
- Afterward, you should wash your greasy clothing immediately with regular detergent to prevent any remaining stains from being re-absorbed into the garment.
Method 5: Using shampoo or bar soap to remove bike grease
Shampoo and bar soap are also effective for removing bike grease from clothing. To get the fat out you need to:
- Apply shampoo directly to the grease stain. You can also rub the area with soap to get most of the oil out.
- Leave it on for a few minutes.
- Scrub the area with a soft-bristled brush to remove dirt, grime, and oil from your clothing.
- Rinse off by spraying clean, cold water to remove the grease and soap from your clothes.
- Wash your clothes with regular washing powder or detergent to remove any remaining stains.
- Then line dry or lay flat to air dry to avoid wrinkles.
- Make sure your clothes are completely dry before wearing them again, as damp clothes will only attract more dirt and oil.
Method 6: Removing bike grease from clothes with biological detergent
An organic detergent and washing powder are also effective in removing bike grease stains. Follow these steps to remove stubborn grease stains on synthetic fiber clothing:
- First, wet the affected area of your garment before mixing a solution of one part water and three parts detergent.
- Pour the detergent onto the grease stained area. Leave for a few minutes and slowly rub or scrub with a soft toothbrush in circular motions to remove stubborn stains.
- After about 10 minutes, you can then blot up excess moisture with paper towels.
- Launder your garment to remove any remaining grease stains from the garment fabric.
What you should consider when removing fresh bike grease stains
How easy it is to remove chain oil stains depends on how long the grease has stained your clothes. Here are important things to keep in mind when attempting to remove bike grease stains:
Get the stains out right away
Try to get the grease stain out while they're still fresh. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to remove them.
Use the right cleaning products
Always make sure you use detergents that are appropriate for your fabric type when attempting to remove grease stains from clothing. For example, use baking soda for delicate fabrics. Remember that when treating delicate fabrics, each fabric will react differently to the detergents you use.
On the other hand, you can use dish soap to remove stains on clothing made of both cotton and synthetic fabrics. Apply to fresh grease stains, then gently scrub the stained area with a toothbrush.
It's true, dish soap and a good scrub are great for removing bike chain grease from jeans! Thank you, Twitter HiveMind!#bicycle commuter #dcbiker pic.twitter.com/mqkCCflxPA
– Brittany Peterson (@brittanykamalei)July 12, 2018
Gently rub and blot the stained area
When removing greasy stains from your clothing, gently rub the stained area to avoid spreading or widening it further. But don't rub the stained area aggressively when trying to remove the grease from your clothing, as this can make the stain worse.
After rubbing off as much of the stain as possible, take a clean white cloth and dampen it with warm water. Then place it on the stained area and press down to soak up any remaining grease.
Read care labels on products and clothing
If you use commercial products to remove bike stains from your clothing, be sure to read the product label to ensure these products are safe for use on your specific fabrics.
Also, check the clothing care label to get an idea of which degreasing method is best.
Contact a professional cleaner
If all else fails, you may need to take your grease-stained clothing to a professional dry cleaner. If your clothes can only be dry cleaned, get them dry cleaned as soon as possible.
What to avoid when removing grease stains from clothes
When removing grease stains, you definitely don't want the grease to be further absorbed by your clothes. Avoiding this can be difficult, especially when you're dealing with a stubborn stain that just won't go away. Here's how:
Do not use hot water
Never pour hot water on greasy stains as it will only drive the grease deeper into the fabric. Use warm water to remove dirt and grime and cold water to rinse your clothes.
Do not use bleach and harsh detergents
Never use bleach to remove bike grease from your clothing as it will only cause the stain to spread. It will be even more difficult for you to get the fat out.
Bleach can also ruin delicate materials, so avoid it at all costs and use baking soda instead.
Also, your garment will most likely be made from a variety of fabrics. So, whenever possible, use the gentlest detergents available to reduce the risk of damaging your clothes.
Frequently asked questions about bike grease stain removal

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about removing bike grease from clothing and shoes.
How do I avoid grease on my clothes?
Avoid bike grease stains on your clothes by always having a clean rag in your pocket. You can use the rag to wipe excess grease off yoursbicycle chainwhile you work
How can I remove bicycle chain grease from jeans?
If you're wondering how to remove bike grease from jeans, it largely depends on how fresh they are. You can apply a mild grease cleaner and use a toothbrush to remove the stains as soon as possible.
If you catch light stains early enough, this technique should help without ruining your favorite pair of jeans. Use the same method for most heavier non-leather denim.
When it comes to removing old bike grease stains, your grease removal approach will largely depend on the type of material your jeans are made of. Call a professional dry cleaner and ask for advice if you're unsure how to remove grease from your bike chain from your clothing.
How can I remove grease from my shoes?
If you are interested in learning how to remove bike grease from shoes, you must first determine whether your shoes are made of leather or non-leather fabrics.
For leather shoes with fresh grease stains, wipe them off as soon as possible and sprinkle plenty of talcum powder over the area. Leave this on overnight and brush it off in the morning.
For non-leather washable material, you can use liquid detergent, dish soap, or bar soap to effectively remove the stains.
Does bleach remove oil stains?
It is never a good idea to use bleach to remove bike grease from clothing as it will only make matters worse and end up ruining your garment beyond repair.
Can I mix baking soda with dish soap to remove greasy stains?

And,Backpulveris a great natural degreaser. Mix with dish soap or detergent to create a thick paste that's great for removing stubborn grease stains.
What is the best way to remove dried bike grease stains?
You can use a degreaser to loosen dried bike chain grease stains. However, it would be best if you are careful about how much product you use as it can affect the color of your clothes.
You may need to be washed several times with soap and water before completely removing all traces of it from your clothes.
You can also use a grease stain stick. It is specially formulated to remove stubborn and stubborn grease stains similar to those left by bikes.
Get the fat out
Grease stains are a common problem for cyclists, and while some people assume they're permanent on clothing, they actually aren't. With the right cleaning supplies like baking soda, liquid detergent and dish soap, you can remove even the most stubborn grease stain from your favorite shirt.
Keep in mind that there may be other grease stain removal challenges, such as: B. Color fastness or fabric sensitivity, so always test on a small area first before applying a new product.
Now that you know how to remove bike grease stains from your clothing, you can keep your favorite cycling outfits in pristine condition. If you have any tried-and-true tips for getting tire grease out of clothes, let us know in the comments!
Additional Resources
- How to tension a bicycle chain