Nothing beats wrenching on your Classic on a Saturday afternoon before hitting the Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show. Well, a few things might be better… like if the Lakers could get it together. But, let’s just pretend. Now that your car is running its best and it sparkles like a gem, what about you? Getting grease stains on your favorite garage shirt is part and parcel with our hobby, but it can still be annoying. Don’t worry, we have some tips to remove dirt and grime so that you’ll look good standing next to your ride!

Best Tips for Removing Grease from Clothing

  • Act Quick: It’s always best to remove stains as quickly as you can. Blot (don’t rub!) the cloth to take up as much of the excess grease/oil as possible.
  • Suds Up: Saturate the clothes with a grease cutting dish detergent. Make sure you take the shirt off first. Anti-grease agents in dish detergents, like Dawn or Joy, are designed to remove grease through strong penetration. If you don’t have any dish detergent available, other household spray cleaners can work… so long as they’re designed to cut grease.
  • Work it Out: Work the spray or detergent into the stain with your fingers. You should begin to see the grease breaking up and beginning to disappear. For tougher stains, use a soft brush to help work the detergent into the stain.
  • Grab the Vinegar: Instead of rinsing the stain with water, use white vinegar. Vinegar will help remove the stain, but it also rinses the detergent off.
  • Repeat: For really tough stains, repeat the process. The more you repeat, the more grease busting should occur. Generally, 1 to 5 cycles should be enough. Any more than that and, well, it may be time to retire the shirt!
  • Wash It: After you’ve gotten rid of the stain, wash your clothes as you normally would.

Now you’ll want to check the washing instructions on your clothes to make sure they aren’t too delicate for the kneading process. And when dealing with vinegar, don’t let it get in your eyes. And, finally, remember to test the detergent on a hidden area of the fabric – like a cuff or a hem – to make sure that it won’t discolor your clothes.

Of course, if this is too much work for you, if the stains just won’t come out, or if you simply want to be the envy of all your friends… we’ve got you covered. You can get a brand spanking new shirt at our online store, or at our event.

For generations, patrons have enjoyed the sights, sounds, AND stains of the Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show. Visit us this weekend to show off your ride and your clean clothes!