How to Get Brake Fluid Out of Clothes

Last Updated on 11 months by Susan Mayrich

Brake fluid can be a messy substance to clean up, but it’s not impossible. Brake fluid is an oily, corrosive liquid that has a pungent smell. It’s found in the brake system of your car and helps the brakes work. If you get brake fluid on your clothes, you’ll have to clean it up quickly. Brake fluid can permanently stain clothing, so if you don’t act fast, your clothes will be ruined.

For tips and ways of removing brake fluid from clothes, continue reading this article.

Does Brake Fluid Ruin Clothes?

Brake fluid can ruin clothes if you allow it to stay on them for too long. The best thing to do after spilling some brake fluid on your clothes is to rinse them off immediately with clean water and then wash them in cold water without using any soap or detergent. 

If possible, dry the item by laying it flat out of direct sunlight (the heat will cause additional harm). If you have time, let it air-dry as well (a fan will help speed up this process).

Does Brake Fluid Come Out of Clothes

You can clean stains from clothing by soaking pieces of clothing in warm water with detergent for 10 minutes before washing them normally in the washing machine. If this does not work, try bleaching or using an enzyme cleaner on the stain before washing again.

How to Get Brake Fluid Out of Clothes

If you get brake fluid on your clothing, it’s best to remove it as soon as possible. Here’s how:

Apply Shampoo

1. Blot the stained area with an absorbent material like paper towels or cloths.
2. Soak the stained garment in the water.
3. Apply shampoo to the stained area of the fabric. Soap is designed to get grease and oil out of your hair. 
4. Wash the fabric in laundry detergent. A mild detergent should be enough to lift most of the oil from your clothes without damaging them too much. An all-purpose cleaner like OxyClean or Borax may also be effective at removing stains from clothing. 

Use Soap and Water to Get Brake Fluid Out of Clothes

1. Use a clean rag and blot the stain with plain water to remove as much of the brake fluid as possible. If you have access to it, you may use a commercial stain remover designed for oil-based stains.
2. Take a bar of soap and rub it onto the stained area. It is important to get enough soap on there so that it will help soak up some of the moisture from the fabric.
3. Let the soap sit on the fabric for about 10 minutes. This will allow time for it to break down some of the oils in the stain and begin to work its magic.
4. Rinse out all of the soap from your garment and repeat steps 2 and 3 until all traces of brake fluid are gone from your clothing.

For Dried Brake Fluid Try WD-40

You can get brake fluid out of clothes by using WD-40. WD-40 is a lubricant, so it contains chemicals that dissolve the brake fluid and allow it to be washed away.

WD-40 works quickly and effectively, but there are some things you should keep in mind before you try this method:

WD-40 may not work on all fabrics. The oil in WD-40 won’t damage cotton or denim, but it can harm silk, wool, and leather. If you’re not sure if your outfit can handle it, test it before soaking the entire garment in oil.

1. The first step is to soak up as much brake fluid as you can with paper towels or rags. 
2. Then spray the WD-40 directly onto the stain and rub it in with your finger or a clean cloth. 
3. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then wash as normal in warm water.

How to Get Brake Fluid Smell Out of Clothes

Wet Method: Soak the garment in warm water with a little soap or detergent added and let soak overnight. Rinse thoroughly in cold water afterward, then dry as usual.

Dry Method: Put a normal wash cycle on with an added tablespoon of baking soda and half a cup of white vinegar (or 1 cup per load). The baking soda will help neutralize the acids in the vinegar while also lifting any dirt and grime off the fabric; while vinegar helps break down grease build.

Is Brake Fluid Hazardous?

No, brake fluid isn’t hazardous because it doesn’t pose a risk of fire or explosion. However, if you spill some on your clothes or carpeting and allow it to dry before cleaning it up, it will stain those materials permanently.

Final Words

Hopefully, this article has helped you out in getting that awful brake fluid stain out. So next time you spill brake fluid on your clothes, don’t despair. It is possible to remove it, and doing so should be relatively simple if you act quickly and follow these steps.