mattscq

I've somehow managed to get a particularly tough grease stain on a jacket (synthetic nylon/elastane blend with a water repellent coating) and I've gone through a few cycles of scrubbing with baking soda and Down dish detergent. What would be the next step to attempt? Has anyone tried using bike degreaser like Finishline Citrus on fabrics?

AnkleWork

What kind of grease?

mattscq

I’m pretty sure it’s just blackened drivechain/chainline gunk.

Crankycrank

Any of the cleaners that the fabric mfrs. suggest for "safe" cleaning that I've used don't get tough grease out. I've had success in the past on lycra, nylons and other synthetics by using waterless hand soap such as found in auto parts stores. Cuts grease really well. Don't get the type with added gritty pumice, Take a Q-Tip and rub it on the grease spots and let sit for at least an hour. Use cold water to rinse and repeat if necessary. I can't guarantee it won't harm the waterproofing but I haven't found anything else that will get the grease out as well as protect the WP coatings. You can always apply new waterproofing if it gets damaged.

Shimagnolo

+1
I use this: https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=goop

AnkleWork

Probably you've removed the oily component with the detergent and the metal particles remain causing the stain. First re-suspend the particulate in another oily substance -- this time something clean. Also something that is easy to remove later. Hand cleaner could do that but it also may have solvent that could damage the elastane or water repellency.

I'd try olive oil with gentle hand agitation to float the particulate off the fibers and flush them out; i.e. wash the stain with oil. Avoid abrasion of the fabric. Absorb the oil with a paper towel and repeat until the stain is flushed out. Then, to remove the oil use full strength* "washing soda" followed by detergent.

* Mix a saturated solution in a container with warm water.

(Excess detail: Washing soda is sodium carbonate -- not bicarbonate -- pH ~11 sat. sol'n. It converts the oil to a kind of water soluble soap and the detergent removes the soap. Washing soda works great on synthetic jerseys to remove body oil. You can get it ready to use or make it from baking soda and hot water.)

August West

+2
I've had great luck using the Fast Orange hand cleaner I have at the garage sink although I've never used it on cycling clothes. This does have the grit in it so I just dob some on the stain and don't rub it in much. It has always worked better than anything else I've tried.

mattscq

I've gotten some feedback and some people have recommended Lestoil.
Rapha emailed me back and just suggested using warmer water which I'm a little wary of doing.

Crankycrank I have read some people suggest Lavasoap but that has pumice.
AnkleWork Interesting idea that it's entrapped particles. I'll give "dissolving" it back in a neutral oil a try.

More suggestions always welcome.

Thanks for all the help so far.

Tusk

I like the olive oil idea. Have to keep that in my back pocket.

GOOP hand cleaner. Water less hand cleaner available at auto parts stores and does not contain pumice.

Crankycrank

Never used Lavasoap but the only thing I don't like about the pumice is that it's mildly abrasive so just don't rub it around too much. I like AnkleWork's idea too as it sounds potentially less harmful and who doesn't have baking soda on hand? I'm keeping that in my grease removal file.

AnkleWork

BTW, according to the MSDS, Finishline Citrus degreaser is 50 to 85% petroleum solvent with artificial citrus scent.

mattscq

So I tried this technique, but I used a neutral corn oil instead. Gently massaged in a bit of it with a q-tip and then I did a baking soda and Dawn sludge along with a warm water rinse and it worked!

Kudos AnkleWork ! Thank you thank you thank you.

mattscq

I spoke too soon. Now I have an oil stain I'm having a hard time removing. It showed up when it dried and it can be seen when wet but much more subtly. I'll try the washing soda and lestoil and report back.

canklecat

Try naptha, or Fels-Naptha laundry soap.

mattscq

Lestoil finally worked. Through the washing, it seemed like the care label got scrubbed right off (there's irony in there somewhere). Quite a bit of a saga. I'm not entirely sure if it's as water-repellent as factory, but I briefly tumbled it in the dryer as some places recommended, and worst case, I can always re-treat it with a DWR wash or spray.

sweeks

Exactly this ^^
My only modification is that I slather the Goop (my favorite brand) on with my fingers and work it into the stain with my fingernails. Then let it sit for a while (I usually leave it overnight), rinse and throw in the washing machine.

Sy Reene

Not that it might necessarily have worked, but I'd probably have run it thru the washing machine first along with my other bike clothes, with a prior spot treatment on the stain (eg. Shout, Oxy, Spray n'Wash). I like the creative thinking though showing itself in this thread.