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Joe asked: How do I remove tar from clothing? While crossing a railroad bridge, I leaned over the edge and got tar on my slacks. The tar was seeping out of the cracks in the wood rail on the bridge. It was a hot day.
Sticky,
gooey tar sticks to clothing like gum clings to hair. To remove the tar, it requires lubricating it with some type of oil to help it release from the fabric fibers. Follow these guidelines to safely and effectively remove tar from your clothing.
You Will Need:
- Ice cubes
- Spoon or dull knife
- Lubricants (choose one):
- WD-40
- Lard
- Bacon grease
- Vegetable oil
- Liquid vegetable glycerin
- Peanut butter
- Petroleum jelly
- Goo Gone
- Goof Off
- Soft cloths
- Laundry detergent
- Dish liquid
- Liquid solvent:
- White kerosene
- Lighter fluid
- Laundry stain pre-treatment
- Baking soda
Steps to Remove the Tar:
- For large areas with tar, it is best to scrape away as much as possible. Harden the tar with ice and then use a spoon or dull knife to scrape it away.
- The residue left in the fabric will need some lubrication to be removed. This is especially true for old, dry tar deposits. Lay a soft cloth under the stain to absorb any excess lubricant.
- Choose a lubricant from the list above.
- Blot it onto the stained area with a soft cloth. You will want to moisten the stain completely with the lubricant.
- Scrub the area gently with a cloth or blot with pressure to work the lubricant into the stain.
- Allow it to set for a little while, then blot the stain with a cloth. Turn the cloth to a fresh area as the tar is transferred to it.
- When you have blotted off as much tar residue as possible, rub some laundry detergent or dish liquid directly into the stain, then wash the item as usual. Use the hottest water setting that is safe for the fabric.
- Do not dry the clothing until you are sure the stain is removed. If placed in the dryer, the tar will melt and transfer to the walls of the dryer. This will then spread to other pieces of clothing, making a larger mess.
- If a stain remains, you can either use a liquid solvent to remove it or baking soda.
- To use a liquid solvent, sponge the stain with either kerosene or lighter fluid. Let the stains it for about 15 minutes, then apply a laundry stain pre-wash treatment. Wash the item as usual. Do not put the item in the dryer. Instead, let it air dry. If there is any remaining fluid residue on the fabric, it may be flammable in the heat of the dryer. Wash the item again as normal to be sure the fluid residue is removed.
- To use baking soda, mix baking soda with some water to make a paste. It should be about the consistency of toothpaste, not runny. Apply the paste over the stain. Let the paste sit on the stain for about 15 minutes, then wash the item as usual.
Additional Tips and Advice
- There are bug and tar removers available in any automotive department. These will remove the tar, but be sure to test a small area first to make sure there is no damage to the fabric.
- If the tar cannot be removed, have it professionally cleaned.
Sources
- Clean It Fast, Clean It Right by Jeff Bredenberg
- Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things by Reader’s Digest
- Joey Green’s Cleaning Magic by Joey Green
- Haley’s Cleaning Hints by Graham and Rosemary Haley
What if you didn’t find the tar on the blue jeans till after you washed and dried the jeans?
Patty,
The same steps should work to remove old tar. You may just need to freshen it with a lubricant (step two) a few times to make it really fresh. Good luck!
Brilliant! I used WD-40 and a soft toothbrush to massage the oil in. The tar pretty much came off BEFORE I put the shirt in the wash. Thanks guys!
Kerosene oil or paint thinner also works effectively.
Thanks for the idea of the oil. I had a quilt that got some tar on it. I used coconut oil with a Q-Tip, dabbing to loosen the tar. Then I scratched off the tar with my nail. I then got a spot remover solution and put that on the spot to make sure that the oil wouldn’t stay on. Finally I put some laundry soap on the fabric and rinsed it. And…voila…perfect! 🙂
Thank you so much for this tip. I got tar on the back of my wool cardigan. 🙁 I used baby oil to blot pretty much all of it out, and the washer did the rest. Woohooooo! 🙂
What if your not sure it’s tar? But other than that, thanks.
What about a polyester/polyester blend fabric that was discovered after it had been washed & dried?
Trish,
It depends on how much tar there is. If there is a lot, start with step 1 and use an ice cube to harden it, then scrape it off. If there is only a little tar residue, start with step 2 and soften it with one of the lubricants. This will also help to freshen it. If there is no residue, just a stain, start with step 9. Good luck!
I just got tar out of 100% polyester shorts with ice, WD-40, and dish liquid. It was so easy I couldn’t believe it. Thank you!
Thanks for this! I’ll try it right away on my white dress. It was a hot day in France and I got asphalt all over my dress thanks to my dog that I took in my lap.
Thank you so much! Brand new capris and helped someone change a tire on the highway; used De-Solv-it, best stuff ever. It didn’t leave a greasy ring or anything.
How on God’s green earth do I get tar out of my T-shirt? Thank you. Do I use any of the methods above? Thank you so very much. <3
Thanks, did above steps, but used the Orange Mechanic Hand Cleaner stuff, and my expensive shirt is now spotless! 🙂