Comments on: How to Remove Grease and Oil From a Car's Interior

on 4/2/2009 These comments are really good.

on 8/21/2006 Use Head & Shoulders hair shampoo. Apply the shampoo directly to the grease stain, and take a small brush, preferably a toothbrush, and rub in small circles. Take lukewarm water to remove any excess shampoo and wait till dry and vacuum. Stain is gone. Head & Shoulders is what I used to clean my father's automotive shop, and the entry way to an apartment complex I was working at. It works wonders.

on 8/8/2006 I stepped on a glob of grease and tracked it on our carpet in about a dozen places before catching my indiscretion. I tested the WD40 and it worked to a point, but left a black shadow. I then tried engine degreaser and it worked pretty well. Finally, I had a can of Motsenbocker's Lift Off that I tested. Marvelous! Spray on, let it absorb for 10-12 seconds, and dab or rub off with a paper towel. Impressive! My carpet was synthetic, and different materials (cotton, wool, etc) react differently with different chemicals. So, be sure to test what you try.

on 6/30/2006 Rule 1: Don't wear boots inside your house.
Rule 2: If you do, have Capture available.
I tracked the charred grease, oil and fat from a charcoal grill onto brand new Berber carpet. I really thought the spots would never come out (close examination of the carpet showed the fiber dyed black). I used Capture, and it has worked.

Here are some pointers -
1. Spot vacuum carefully so as not to spread the grease.
2. Use the aerosol spray can (formulated for oil and grease).
3. Let the solution sit on the spot for 20 minutes or so.
4. Spread Capture powder over the spot. Don't use a whole lot, just cover the spot to (at most) a 1/4 of an inch.
5. Use a stiff brush to work the powder in - go left/right and up/down. Don't press too hard or you will fray the carpet fibers.
6. Spot vacuum the spot. I used a soft bristle attachment and went over the spot many times.
7. Let dry completely - you may see some white residue over the spot (this is because the spot wasn't completely dry the first time you vacuumed). Go over the spot with the vacuum again and the white residue should go away.

Of the 12 spots that I had to work on, I have only one left (the worst of course). But as for the other 11, you can't even tell where they were.

Finally, don't plan on this being a quick job. It may take a long time (an hour or more) and several applications/vacuuming sessions to get the spot out. Be patient, be gentle and make sure you check to make sure the carpet is colorfast with the use of the aerosol spray.

on 1/18/2006 I came across a product by chance while browsing around in a plumbing warehouse. I came across this great penetrating and lubricating oil that not only worked much better than WD40, but it was also non flammable! Anyone who uses WD40 knows how flammable it is. This is one of the best lubricating oils that I have used in a long time. The name is A-1 Penetrating and Lubricating Oil.
It is made by a company in Phoenix Arizona by the name of Wintec International. The only way to get it is by contacting them via e-mail, like I did.
Do a Google search for more information.

on 11/22/2005 After a foolish person put a greasy engine part on the carpet in my van, it left a big greasy spot. I started by dabbing with a paper towel. Once all the loose grease was gone, and only a stain remained, I sprayed a little WD-40 on a clean paper towel and dabbed again. I repeated this over and over with a clean portion of the paper towel. When I was done the spot was completely gone. WD-40 doesn't eat the color of the carpet. Clean the carpet with a carpet cleaner when done to remove all traces of WD-40 that may be left behind.

on 11/22/2005 hydrogen peroxide takes blood right out of any thing.

on 11/22/2005 We got black grease on our carpets in the house we rent and we were terrified that we would lose our damage deposit because of it. I called a local carpet cleaning company and they told me to use mineral spirits/paint thinner to remove the grease. I thought they were crazy, afraid it would damage the carpet, but it worked great! Just dab a small amount on a clean rag, blot (may need a little rubbing) the grease and voil, it's gone! Just follow up with a damp towel to help get excess mineral spirits out and allow it to dry. The smell doesn't last long and you don't have to do things like wait hours for something to sit on the stain or pay tons of money for an expensive carpet cleaner. Just be careful since mineral spirits/paint thinner is flammable!

on 11/22/2005 There is a product available at Sears named Capture. My carpet installers told me it was the best of all. It comes in a kit. Grease got on my new white carpet and I put Capture to the test and it worked beautifully. [www.captureclean.com]

on 11/22/2005 I'm a mechanic and I know stains. Of all the products I've used, none has been better that Tuff Stuff from Simonize. Just spray it on the stain, brush it, and if you want, follow with a clean terry cloth. The stain will disappear!! Smells great too!!

on 11/22/2005 I've found that WD-40 works great for removing oil and grease from floor mats and carpets. Don't forget to use a regular carpet cleaner after the WD-40.

on 11/22/2005 Pour cornstarch onto the spot. Rub in lightly. Let sit for two or three hours, then vacuum. This has always worked for us.