How to clean clothes with bike grease on them?

[adkoch]

Hi all! I had the most unfortunate mishap as I was biking home from work - my bungee cord snapped, which caused my jacket to fall right into my derailleur and proceed to wrap around the rear cogs/chain. Needless to say, the jacket seems ruined, but only by the grease stains - there are no rips in the cottony wicking fabric. Any ideas of how to clean it? I don't think it would be worth it for me to scrub each little mark out, so I'm hoping for a soaking/stain lifting solution. I've tried looking at stain removal sites, to no avail... thanks!

~Angie

[Irulan]

I'd spray it with simple green,let it soak, scurb it a bit and you should be go.

Irulan

[Adventure Girl]

I rubbed against my chain when I was taking my bike off my car rack one time. It was a BRAND NEW jersey. Stained before I could even spin one pedal...:(

I got the grease out with WD40 and light blotting. Then washed as usual. The result was great. No sign of the stain.

Be sure you test your cleaning product before using it. Different fabrics and dyes may react differently.

Good luck!

[Veronica]

I've had good luck spraying with Shout and then washing with Tide.




Veronica

[Dogmama]

If it doesn't come out - you need to come up with a really big story...

[atombessy]

dish detergent!! works like a charmm....especially teh extra concentrated stuff.....

[RdDezert]

I agree with atombessey, I've been really successful with dish detergent & even shampoo only (not combo w/conditioner) to cut grease. Scrub a bit, soak and it smelling pret-ty! Air dry only then try again if need be. The grease has either come completely out or so light to look like those "slubs in the fabric are part of the charm" thing they adhere to clothing ocassionally!

[Irulan]

does anyone else keep a scrub brush in the shower to get chain grease off their legs?

Irulan

[Dogmama]

Originally posted by Irulan
does anyone else keep a scrub brush in the shower to get chain grease off their legs?

Irulan

Chain grease - AKA - freshmen tattoos!

[RdDezert]

Does having a bar of Lava soap??? several years old in kitchen count as a scrubber??? :)

[Dogmama]

...maybe for your sink. Not for your legs...:p

[adkoch]

And here I was going to just throw my jacket away... I soaked it in dishwashing liquid for a couple of days and scrubbed the marks with a brush, which took out half of it. Then, I soaked it for another couple of days and now there are only two of the most severe marks, but they are lighter!

I also tried the simple green, which helped slightly, but Dawn was the biggest help. Thanks for all your suggestions!!!

~Angie