Grease happens if you’re a cyclist. And clothing grease stains—those big black marks that somehow manage to spread faster than a plague—are some of the toughest to remove. But just because you marked up your favorite pair of jeans (roll them up next time you ride!), don’t panic: cleaning grease stains out of clothing is no big deal if you treat them properly.
To figure out how to get grease stains out of clothes, we went directly to the source: Pedro’s, a small, Maine-based company that makes bike lubes, cleaners, and tools, whose employees frequently get dirty on the job. Pedro’s Product Manager Matt Bracken shared a few tips and tricks he’s picked up over the years as a cyclist and mechanic who's used to cleaning up stains.
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Don’t Toss It in the Washing Machine
The worst thing you can do for grease-stained clothing is toss it in with the rest of your laundry on the ‘heavy-duty’ cycle right away, says Bracken. Rather than washing the stain away, the hot water often locks in the oil and makes it impossible to remove. Pretreat the stain before you toss it in the wash and there's a better chance that it'll come clean.
Degrease It
Degreaser: not just for bike chains anymore! Here's how to use it:
- Apply degreaser to the stain. Let it sink in for a few minutes.
- Scrub with a bristled brush.
- Rinse in cool water.
- Repeat until the stain is gone.
Bracken suggests using dish soap if degreaser isn’t accessible and it’s a fresh stain: If it can cut through greasy food, it can cut through greasy fabric. And if you’re traveling, keep a single-serve wipe with a degreasing component—like a Cat’s Tongue towel or one of these great wipes—on-hand to get the worst of the grease off your clothes before you do laundry.
Be warned: Bracken adds that for stains on thinner materials the spot might not come out with this method—you’ll end up rubbing a hole into the fabric before the stain is totally gone. Depending on the garment, you might need a gentler method.
Keep a Cleaner Chain
The best offense is a good defense. Most grease stains come from a dirty bike chain. Grease is hard enough to get out when you rub your pant leg against a clean chain, but the grease from a chain that’s been ridden hard through mud puddles and gravel is nearly impossible to remove, says Bracken. To prevent the build up of oil and grime, regularly wash your chain and bike: it might sound like a lot of work, but keeping a bike clean is ultimately a lot less hassle than removing grease from your clothes.
Switch to Black Cycling Kit
If you’re constantly finding grease on your cycling kit or workshop clothes, consider swapping to basic black, at least for your shorts.
“Ever wonder why mechanics wear a lot of black?” Bracken says. “It’s so you can’t see the grease stains.” He suggests that if you know grease is in your future, it might be a good idea to switch your prized white button-down shirt for a junky black t-shirt or a shop apron. No spot, no problem (and your laundry will be easier, too!)
