How to Remove Tar From Fabric

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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In some areas, beach going can mean dealing with some unseemly stuff, like tar that can wash up on the shore. But with a little patience, messy tar stains can be eliminated.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

White Kerosene
Clothes Dryers
Clotheslines
Laundry Detergents
Stain Removers
Washing Machines
Ice Cubes
Plastic Bags
Paper Towels

Removing the Tar

Step1

Place some ice cubes in a small plastic bag and apply the bag to the tar, if a great deal of tar is stuck to the fabric.

Step2

Allow the tar to freeze and harden.

Step3

Peel away the tar after it has completely hardened.

Removing the Stain

Step1

Apply stain remover to the stain if the fabric is machine-washable.

Step2

Wash according to the fabric's care instructions.

Step3

Allow the fabric to air dry.

Step4

Dab a small amount of white kerosene onto a persistent stain with a white paper towel.

Step5

Wash separately from other clothes and according to the fabric's care instructions.

Tips & Warnings

Avoid exposing the fabric to heat until the stain has been completely lifted.
Stains on dry-clean-only fabrics should be professionally treated.

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Comments

Anonymous said

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on 8/31/2006 I had big, black tar spots on the butt of my jeans. I poured a little olive oil all around each spot, then scrubbed with an old toothbrush (harder bristled). The tar scrubs away, but doesn't stain the jeans. The oil loosens the tar, then keeps it from reattaching elsewhere. I rinsed the oil suds away from the pants with cool water, then poured a little more oil on the remaining spots and repeated. Within 15 minutes, the spots were completely gone. I hand-washed the jeans in lukewarm water to remove the olive oil, and now they are clean as ever.

Anonymous said

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on 12/30/2005 It's a miracle. If you can get hold of Ambersil Amberclens foaming cleaner, a British company based in Basingstoke then it's a cinch.

Spray the effected area liberally, leave it for a couple of minutes. Use some hot, soapy water and a scrubbing brush and scrub it away. In no time the tar gone. Keep applying foam while you scrub if needs be.

It's a life saver.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Scrape tar off with a knife. Spray WD-40 on the stain and blot with a paper towel. After the tar and stain are removed, wash out the WD-40 with soap and water.