Carrying a can of motor oil in your trunk is the mark of a person who is truly prepared for all emergencies. But how to get motor oil out of trunk carpet when it gets spilled by mistake? Let us look at some of the methods that you can use to pry out motor oil,
You must have come across those dark black spots shining on the trunk of your car at some point. This is nothing but the oil coming out of your car’s motor. And, no matter how meager it seems to be, the oil stains can look awful.
Whether it is an accidental spill or the leakage from a motor oil can, your car trunk carpet ultimately bears a bad reputation. For this reason, removing oil stains is the only possible solution than putting money into buying a new rug.
To help you get started, we have looked upon all the effective remedies to get away with oil stains. Since most car trunk carpets are made up of synthetic fibers, the following guide will show you what goes well with synthetic material.
Finding the Right Stain-Removal Products Is The Key
If the market is still active with a wide range of products, it is because people are ready to invest in branded products. While it may seem to be one safe option, this should not be a substitute for effectively cheap solutions.
Many oil-spill cleaning products are readily available in the kitchen or at a local grocery store. Apart from being readily available, these products have a permanent solution to tough stains.
So, if you are looking for certain products for synthetic carpets, you should be handling the items with care. As synthetic fibers are prone to heat damage, one should avoid using hot water. Synthetics are long-lasting and do not quickly degrade even if you use chemical products.
Ingredients That Are Safe To Use
Baking Soda
Baking Soda is an inexpensive product commonly found in most kitchens. While baking soda alone is pretty simple, the product produces carbon dioxide gases to break down the oil molecules. Aside from soaking the oil, the alkaline acid of baking soda removes the oily stains easily.
Talcum Powder
Baby powders are an excellent remedy for eliminating tough oil stains. The Talc mineral in talcum powder quickly absorbs the moisture.
Liquid Dishwashing Detergent
Available in most grocery stores, a dishwashing solution can do wonders for any stain. The best thing about using liquid dish wash detergent is that it contains surfactants that lift the oil away from the fabric.
Typically, liquid detergents are mild and gentle on every kind of fabric. But in rare cases, the chemicals used in the detergents can fade or discolor fabrics like wool and silk. For this reason, it is always advisable that you use liquid dishwashing solutions mixed with water.
Also, choosing the right products becomes the next important step if you intend to clean stains with a permanent solution. Keeping safety in mind, brands like Tide, Persil, and Kirkland have come up with stain-removal cleaners. Some of them are listed below:
- Tide Ultra Stain Release
- Persil ProClean Stain Fighter
- Tide Ultra Stain Release Free
- Kirkland Stain Fighter
Also read: What to do if your Kia Forte’s trunk does not open?
Rubbing Alcohol
If any of the above remedies fail miserably, rubbing alcohol on stains should be the last resort. For this reason, the products are now commercially available in stores.
Concerning ingredients, isopropyl alcohol and dye are the two most active components in rubbing alcohol. However, this product can leave the dye on fabrics, further worsening the stain. One should also test the efficacy of rubbing alcohol before using it.
How To Remove Oil Stains From Trunk Carpet?
While it may seem challenging to get rid of oil and grease, it is imperative to remove stains as soon as possible. Although cleaning products are still available for solid or wet spills, quick and easy stain disposal always does the trick. Nevertheless, below are a few ingredients to start the cleaning process.
Ingredients Needed
- A white washcloth
- Paper towels
- Plain water
- Baking Soda; Talcum powder; Corn starch
- Dish soap
- Old toothbrush
Method: Use Baking Soda
- Step 1: Use one white washcloth, preferably a damp cloth, and cover it over the stain. Make sure to avoid cotton or colored clothes. Alternatively, you can also use paper towels to blot the stained area. Use one paper towel and place it over a stain. Now, press the towel against the stain firmly to let the towel absorb all the oil. Discard immediately.
- Step 2: Scatter some baking soda to cover the entire stain once done with blotting. Use an old toothbrush to scrub the area in a gentle motion. For effective results, start with outer edges sweeping towards the center. Let it sit for 15 minutes.
- Leave it overnight and vacuum with a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner for older stains. Baking soda is absorbent to grease and oil and can also diminish odors. If the soda remains visible, use a damp cloth to clean the area.
- Step 3: Next step is to prepare a mixture of dishwashing solutions. Dilute one tablespoon of solution with two tablespoons of warm water. Dissolve well. Dip a damp piece of cloth into the mixture. Rinse the area thoroughly, pushing the fabric towards the middle of the stain. Even being liquid in consistency, the detergent, when used alone, can create thick bubbles and increase the stain size.
- Step 4: Clean again with a damp cloth, ensuring soap residue is completely gone.
- Step 5: Leave the area to air dry. Make sure that you don’t clean a synthetic carpet in heat. Synthetic fibers are more prone to heat damage and even create a short explosion in excess heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
#1. How do you clean up the oil spill in the trunk?
Use anything from baking soda to talcum powder, corn starch, and an absorbent sheet. Leave overnight. Any of these materials swipe away the excess oil easily.
#2. Does motor oil come out of the carpet?
Motor oils and their odors are easy to remove, no matter how deep it goes within your carpet. As soon as you notice any oil spills, work to remove the stain immediately.
#3. Does baking soda absorb oil?
Yes, it does. However, what is important to note is that you need to act quickly when there is an oil spill. The longer you wait, the more deep-rooted the problem will become. Just put a bit of baking soda on the spot and then blot it using a blotting paper on top.
A Few Final Words
Motor oil spills, no matter what the size, can look awful and should be treated right away. While homemade remedies are effective, one can also experiment with cleaning sprays like WD-40. However, it is best to get professional help with all the right tools and procedures to get rid of dark oil stains.
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Thank you for reading, you might also like to read more on similar topics such as: How long can you drive on 0% 0il life? and What to do if you find that your engine bay is covered in oil?