Picture this! You just realized that your car’s power steering fluid level is low and needs to be added. So you bought the fluid and went ahead to add the fluid. However, when adding the fluid, some of the fluid splattered on your clothes, making you ask whether you can remove power steering fluid stains from your clothes.
You can remove power steering fluid stains from your clothes by soaking the stained clothes in a solution of oxygen-based bleach, warm water, and washing detergent. First, soak the fabric in the solution for 8-10 hours. After that, wash and rinse the fabric.
In this article, you will learn how power steering fluid stains your clothes, different methods you can use to get rid of the stains, remove power steering fluid from carpets, and get rid of the power steering fluid smell in your clothes.
Does Power Steering Fluid Stain Clothes?
Before concluding whether power steering fluid stains clothes, it’s better to briefly outline what power steering fluid is, what it does, and what it is made from. By understanding the content of the fluid, you will be able to have an easy understanding of why the steering fluid stains the clothes. Besides, it will also be easy to relate how different methods effectively remove steering fluid from clothes.
Power steering fluid comprises a hydraulic fluid responsible for transmitting power in any power steering system. Specifically, without the fluid, steering vehicles would be problematic since the fluid reduces the amount of effort needed to turn the steering wheel while at the same time keeping the steering wheel lubricated.
There are three different types of power steering fluids. These three types comprise Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF), synthetic power steering fluid, and non-synthetic, mineral power steering fluid. You must always ensure that you have chosen a power steering fluid compatible with your vehicle to avoid damaging the car – story for another day.
Power steering fluid is made from mineral oil or silicone-based fluids. However, the make of steering fluids might differ from one manufacturer to another since manufacturers use synthetic-based oil while other manufacturers use petroleum or silicone as the base stock.
Power steering fluid stains clothes. Once the mineral oil or silicon-based fluids that are used to make power steering fluid splatter on your fabric, the splatter will darken with time, and if the stains are not cleaned in a short time, the stain could be permanently set on the clothing.
Does Power Steering Fluid Wash Out Of Clothes?
A standard washing machine cycle can wash out fresh power steering fluid stains but not completely remove old power steering fluid stains. To get rid of steering fluid stains, you have to treat the stain.
When you wash clothes that have been stained by power steering fluid, always make sure you don’t throw the clothes in the dryer before you confirm that the stain has indeed been removed. When you put clothes with the stains on the dryer, the heat will push the stain further into the fibers of the stained clothes, thus making it almost impossible to remove the stain.
When you notice a fresh power steering fluid on your garment, you should first blot out the fluid with a paper towel or an absorbent towel. After that, immediately handwash the spot with dish soap and warm water. You can then wash the clothes in the washer.
If the power steering fluid stain on your clothes is old, you might be able to remove the stain by first treating the stain before washing the stained clothes in the washing machine. You can treat the stain and remove it in the washer by first treating it using different household products. The various methods you can use to get rid of power steering fluid are discussed in the following paragraphs.
How To Remove Power Steering Fluid From Clothes: 9 Easy Methods
Once you have spotted power steering fluid in your clothes, you can try one of the 9 simple methods of removing the stains. The methods use everyday household products that you probably already have in your house.
It is, however, important you take note that different fabrics could react differently to different products suggested. For instance, if the stain is on silk or wool clothing, acid-based products should not be used to treat the steering fluid stain.
To ensure that the cleaning product will not ruin your fabric, ensure that you first test the product on a small section of your garment. Once you have confirmed that the product will not ruin your garment, you can then treat the stain with the product.
1. Cornstarch
Cornstarch is made from white endosperms, usually found in the center of a corn kernel. Cornstarch is a good stain remover since it is super absorbent. Indeed, when used to remove power steering fluid stains in clothes, it attracts and absorbs molecules of the stain, leaving your clothes clean.
What You’ll Require
Cornstarch
Craft table or a flat surface
Mixing bowl
Soft bristle brush or a toothbrush
Washing machine
Washing detergent
Procedure
Step 1: Lay the stained clothes flat on the craft table
Take your stained clothes and place them on the top of the craft table. If you don’t have a craft table, you can lay the clothes on a flat surface. Ensure that the flat surface has enough space for you to work on the stain.
Step 2: Apply a good amount of cornstarch to the power steering fluid stain
Pour enough amount of cornstarch on top of the stain. Ensure that the cornstarch has completely covered the entire stain.
Step 3:Leave the cornstarch on the top of the stain for at least 10 hours
Once you have poured cornstarch on top of the stain, leave the cornstarch to set in for at least 10 hours. If you have more time, you can leave it for 12 hrs or more. This phase is essential in the stain removal process since it will ensure that cornstarch works on the stains and ‘pulls’ the fluid stain from the fabric.
Step 4: Use a soft bristle brush to brush off cornstarch
Use the soft bristle brush to brush off cornstarch on the stain. If you don’t have a brush, you can use a spare toothbrush. Gently brush the cornstarch while taking care of the fabric since you don’t want to damage your fabric.
Step 5: Wash your clothes
You can either handwash the clothes or wash them in the washer. If washing the clothes in the washer, make sure that you use the settings specified in the care label.
Step 6: Dry the clothes
Preferably, you should air-dry your clothes so that if the stain is not entirely removed, you can repeat the process and remove the stain. If you want to dry the clothes in a dryer, make sure that the stain has been entirely removed from the washer since if you dry the clothes when the stain is still there, the stain is likely to become permanent.
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda is also known as bicarbonate of soda or sodium bicarbonate. Since it is an alkali, it will work on the stains and remove them from the clothes when applied to the power steering fluid stain.
What You’ll Require
Cardboard or a towel
Baking soda
A soft bristle brush, toothbrush, or sponge
Craft table or a flat surface
Washing machine
Procedure
Step 1: Place the stained clothes on the craft table
Put your stained clothes on the craft table. If you don’t have a craft table, you can use the floor as a flat surface. In addition, you can also use an ironing board as a craft table.
Step 2: Place the cardboard under the stained section of your clothes
Put cardboard or a towel under the stained area of the clothing. The cardboard is very important since it will help protect the other side of your stained clothes. Indeed, if your clothing bleeds, the cardboard will ensure that the other side of your clothes will not be affected.
Step 3: Apply baking soda to the power steering fluid stain
Apply baking soda to the stain and leave it on top of the stain for 1 hour. During this time, the baking soda will be working on the stain molecules and doing its best to ensure that the molecules are pulled out of the clothes.
Step 4: After 1 hour, brush off the baking soda
Using a soft bristle brush, brush off the baking soda. Ensure that you brush off the baking soda to remove as much stain as possible. When the baking soda turns brown, that should be an indicator that you have brushed enough.
Step 5: Wash the clothes
After you have brushed off the baking soda from the stain, you can wash your clothes in the washer using a standard wash setting. If you don’t want to use a washing machine, you can handwash the clothes.
Step 6: Inspect the clothes to confirm that stain has been removed
Once the wash cycle is completed, you should thoroughly inspect the stain and find out whether it has been removed or not. If the stain is still there, repeat the process until removed.
Step 7: Dry the clothes
Do not dry your clothes in the dryer before confirming that the stain has been removed. When you dry clothes with stains in a dryer, the heat from the dryer will set the stain and make the stain permanent. Once you have confirmed that the stain has been removed in the wash cycle, you can dry the clothes in a dryer.
3. Coca-Cola
Yes, that’s right! Coca-Cola can be used to remove stains on clothes caused by power steering fluid. Coca-Cola has carbonic and phosphoric acid, breaking up the oil-based stains and removing them from the clothes. Even if these acids can break up stains, they have no impact on your body – there’s nothing to be worried about.
What You’ll Require
Coke
Washing machine
Washing detergent
Procedure
Step 1: Pour Coca-Cola on the stain
Pour some Coca-Cola on the stain and leave your garment for at least three hours. If you want, you can also soak the garment in Coca-Cola. Even if Coca-Cola has caramel food coloring, you don’t have to worry about this since the food coloring will be easily washed off in the washer.
Step 2: Wash the clothes in the washer
After you have soaked your clothes in Coke, you should wash the clothes using a normal wash cycle. You will be surprised to find that your clothes are spotless clean after the wash.
Step 3: Inspect the clothing and dry if the stain is removed
Once you remove the clothing from the washer, inspect the cloth and determine whether the stain has been removed. Once you have confirmed that the stain has been removed, you can proceed to dry your clothes. If not, repeat the stain removal process.
4. Dish Soap
Dish soap is one of the best stain removers. This is because dish soaps are distinctively made to break up fat, oils, and food particles stuck on the dishes. Thus, the uniquely powerful surfactants of the dish soap will help remove steering fluid in clothes.
What You’ll Require
Dish soap
Soft brush
Absorbent towel or paper towel
Washing detergent
Washing machine
Procedure
Step 1: Pour dish soap on the stain
Pour some dish soap on the stain and allow at least 15 minutes for dish soap to set in the stain. During the 15 minutes, dish soap will be working on the power steering fluid, staining your clothes by pulling the fluid out of the clothes.
Step 2: Use the soft brush to scrub the stain
Using a soft brush, gently rub the dish soap in the stain. Rub for at least 8-10 minutes to ensure that the dish soap gets into the fibers of the stained fabric and breaks down all the stain molecules.
Step 3: Use an absorbent towel to absorb all the residue
Using an absorbent towel, absorb all the residue from the previous step. You must remove the residue since you don’t want to throw your clothes in the washer with the residue.
Step 4: Throw the clothes in a washer
Throw the clothes in a washer and wash them as you usually do. If the clothes have no care tag, use a gentle cycle.
Step 5: Inspect the clothes and dry them.
Inspect your clothes once the wash cycle is over and dry them in the dryer only after you have confirmed that the stain has been removed.
5. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel is mainly used for health, beauty, and medicinal purposes. Aloe vera has 8 different enzymes, and some of these enzymes are similar to the enzymes present in washing detergents and dish soap and are purposed for removing stains. Thus, Aloe Vera gel can remove steering fluid stains from the clothes.
What You’ll Require
Aloe vera gel
Soft bristle brush or an old toothbrush
Washing machine
Washing detergent
Procedure
Step 1: Apply some aloe vera gel to the stain
Using your hand, apply aloe vera gel to the stain. Ensure you apply enough amount of gel to the steering fluid stain.
Step 2: Let Aloe Vera set in the stain for 1 hour.
Leave the Aloe vera on the stain for at least one hour. In one hour, the enzymes in the Aloe vera gel will be working on the stain molecules by breaking them apart.
Step 3: Scrub the Aloe Vera into the stain with a soft brush
Using a soft brush, gently scrub Aloe vera gel into the stain. Ensure that you gently scrub Aloe vera into the stain since you don’t want to damage your fabric.
Step 4: Wash the clothes
After the scrubbing, wash the clothes in a washer using a normal wash cycle. If you are unsure which wash cycle to use, you can wash the clothes in a delicate cycle.
Step 5: Dry the clothes
Once the dry cycle is over, you should check the stain and confirm whether it has been completely removed. If there is some stain, repeat the stain removal process. If the stain is removed, you can dry the clothes in the dryer.
6. Shampoo
Shampoo is rich in surfactant, and this surfactant usually looks for any dirt on surfaces and then proceeds to pull it out of the surface. Thus, you can use shampoo to remove power steering fluid stains from your clothes.
What You’ll Require
Shampoo
Washing machine
Washing detergent
Craft table
Procedure
Step 1: Place your stained cloth on a flat surface
Step 2: Apply shampoo to the stain
Step 3: Use your fingers to rub shampoo on the top of the stain
Step 4: Let the shampoo set in the stain for about 15 minutes
Step 5: Wash the clothes in the washer using a normal wash cycle
Step 6: After the wash cycle is complete, inspect the clothes to determine whether the stains are removed. If the stain is still there, repeat the process.
Step 7: Dry the clothes once you confirm that the stains have been removed.
7. Nail Polish Remover
Nail polish has acetone which is a good solvent. To get rid of power steering fluid stains, acetone will attract the fluid’s molecules and bond with them. As a result, the stains will weaken, making it possible to remove the stains.
What You’ll Require
Nail polish remover
Washing machine
Washing detergent
Cold or warm water
Procedure
Step 1: Apply nail polish remover to the stain
Step 2: Leave the nail polish remover on the stain for 15 minutes
Step 3: Rinse the clothes with warm or cold water and determine whether the stain has been removed. If the stain is still there, repeat the process.
Step 4: Throw the clothes in the washer and wash them in a normal wash cycle.
Step 5: Dry your clothes in a dryer or a clothesline
How To Get Power Steering Fluid Out Of Polyester
Polyester is a synthetic fabric and resists a lot of stains. However, when the power steering fluid comes into contact with polyester, the fluid can leave a stain. Luckily, polyester is easy to clean. Thus, steering fluid stain can be removed from polyester clothes using the following simple steps:
What You’ll Need
Dish soap
Washing detergent
Washing machine
Warm water
Soft bristle brush
Procedure
Step 1: Using the warm water, wet the stain
Step 2: Apply dish soap on top of the stain
Step 3: Using your fingers or the soft brush, scrub the dish soap into the stain
Step 4: Rinse the stained area with warm water
Step 5: If the stain is removed, wash the clothes in the washer. If not, repeat the process till the stain is removed before throwing the clothes in the washer.
Step 6: Dry your stain-free polyester clothes in the dryer or lines cloth
If the power steering fluid stain is old and has dried on your polyester clothes, spray WD-40 on the stain. WD-40 will make the stain fresh, and this will make it easy for you to remove the stain using the method discussed above.
How To Get Power Steering Fluid Out Of Carpet And Upholstery
One of the best ways to ensure that you remove power steering fluid stain from carpets is by making sure that the stain is removed immediately after it has been spotted. In most cases, when the stains are fresh, you can easily remove them by washing them with soap and water. However, once the stain dries, it sets in the carpet, making it hard to remove.
To remove power steering fluid stain from carpet or upholstery, you must first sprinkle the stain with an absorbent powder such as cornstarch, baking soda, or baby powder. You then use a brush to work on the stain before leaving the powder rest for 25 minutes. After that, use a vacuum cleaner to remove the powder.
You will then dash the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent. After that, blot the stain until the point where no stain is transferred from the carpet to the towel you are using to blot the stain.
If you don’t have a dry-cleaning solvent, you can use dish soap instead of the dry-cleaning solvent.
How Do You Get Power Steering Fluid Smell Out Of Clothes?
Have you been working with power steering fluid only to realize that your clothes smell like power steering fluid? Don’t worry; here are 7 different methods that you can use to remove power steering fluid.
1. Vinegar
Vinegar has acidic properties that can absorb smells. So add some vinegar in the wash, and your clothes will come out smelling fresh.
2. Coca-Cola
Coca-cola has carbonic and phosphoric acids that are capable of absorbing smells. When washing clothes in the washer, add half a cup of Coca-Cola to the wash, and Coca-Cola will absorb all the smell.
3. Listerine
Listerine has mint and alcohol content that is key in freshening the breath. To remove the smell of power steering fluid in your clothes, add half a cup of Listerine to the washer. The lint and alcohol in Listerine will ensure that the steering fluid smell is removed from the clothes.
4. Pre-wash Stain Removers
Pre-wash stain removers have been specifically developed to remove stains and odors in clothes. Specifically, as the pre-wash stain remover breaks down and removes the stain, it also eliminates the smell associated with the stain. You can use a pre-wash stain remover and get rid of the power steering fluid smell in your clothes.
5. Dish Soap
Dish soap is a powerful cleaner that removes dirt, stains, and odor. You can remove the steering fluid smell in your clothes by soaking the clothes in a mixture of water and dish soap for at least 30 minutes. Make sure that the clothes are fuller submerged in the solution during the 30 minutes.
6. Bleach
Soak your clothes in bleach, and the bleach will break up any stains and any smell associated with the stain. To get rid of the power steering fluid smell, you can either use bleach in the washing machine or soak the clothes directly in a solution of bleach and water.
7. Natural Sunlight
Sun is a natural bleaching agent. You can sun bleach your clothes after washing your clothes and finding that they still smell like power steering fluid. Leave your clothes in the sunlight for at least 8 hours, and the smell will be gone.
Conclusions
I have detailed how you can clean power steering fluid stains from clothes, carpets, and upholstery. You can use any methods discussed to clean the stains and remove the smell. I hope you found the article helpful. Thanks for reading the article!
