How to Remove Motor Oil Stains From Car Floor Mats

Published: Oct 13, 2009
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read
  1. Scrape away or blot up as much of the oil as possible. If it's a fresh spill, use newspapers to blot up as much as possible and discard them. If the stain is older, use a blunt edge to scrape up as much residual oil as you can get up.

  2. Sprinkle baking soda all over the area. Make sure to use enough to cover the area completely.

  3. Vacuum up the baking soda after allowing it to sit for at least 15 minutes.

  4. Apply a dry cleaning solvent to a clean cloth, and wipe the area with it to remove any residual stain. Follow the manufacturers' instructions for the dry cleaning solvent carefully.

  5. Rinse the area with a clean damp cloth, and set the mats outside in the sunshine to dry once the stain is gone.

Tips

If the stain persists after the dry cleaning solvent, mix 1 tbsp. of white vinegar into 2 cups of warm water, add 1 tbsp. of a grease-cutting dish soap and apply it to the stain with a clean cloth. Scrub the area well, and rinse with a clean damp cloth dipped in clean warm water. Cornmeal is an acceptable substitute for baking soda.

Melynda Sorrels

Melynda Sorrels spent 10 years in the military working in different capacities of the medical field, including dental assisting, health services administration, decontamination and urgent medical care. Awarded the National Guardsman’s…

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