How to get tire shine out of clothes? Tire Shine or Dressing is a popular product that’s owned by many car owners. Apart from enhancing the appearance of your tires, it also protects the rubber from cracking, fading, and hardening.
As beneficial as tire shine is, the last thing that you want is for it to stain your clothes.
There are many ways tire shine can stain your clothes. You could unknowingly rub your hands on your clothes after changing a tire. Or, if you are wearing a baggy outfit, your clothes could get accidentally stained when you walk near the tire.
Irrespective of how tire shine stains got on your clothes, cleaning them isn’t always easy. This is why we have come up with this comprehensive guide on how you can remove tire shine stains from your clothes.
How to Get Tire Shine Out of Clothes?
When people often stain their clothes with tire shine, the first thing that comes to mind is throwing them in the washer. However, this usually never works.
Here is a step-by-step guide on the best method of how to get tire shine out of clothes;
Step 1:
The best time to deal with a tire shine stain on your clothes is when it’s still fresh. So, you should start working on it as soon as you notice it. When the stain is fresh, attempt to remove the tire shine marks using a damp cloth.
If you can use microfiber, that would be better because it’s more effective at picking up stains. Do this gently to avoid spreading the stain.
Step 2:
The above method will eliminate a significant amount of tire shine stains from your clothes.
Pour a generous amount of laundry detergent or handwashing soap on the affected area to remove the rest of the stain. Scrub it gently with a soft thistle brush and clean the stain with water.
Step 3: Throw that piece of clothing in the washing machine and it should look spotless after.
In case you are unsuccessful. There are plenty of other products that you can use to get rid of tire shine stains from your clothes. We will talk about them in detail, later on. However, the above method should be effective in nearly all scenarios.
Also Read: Does Tire Shine Cause DRY ROT? (Exploring the TRUTH + 3 TIPS)
Does Tire Shine Stain Clothes?
If you look at your bottle of tire shine, you will notice that it comprises a wide range of ingredients such as silicone or petroleum-based chemicals. It’s these ingredients that actually stain your clothes when it makes contact with tire shine.
Something else most people don’t know is that when you apply tire shine to your wheels, it reacts with the rubber. So, when your clothes touch the tires, it’s also stained by the rubber. The stain is even more stubborn if there is dirt on the tires.
When you catch a tire shine stain on your clothes, you need to know that you are also dealing with rubber and dirt marks. The good news is that tire shine stains can be cleaned and are not permanent.
Please note that tire shine stains depend on the formula of the product. We have water-based and oil-based tire shines.
Stains from the latter are more difficult to clean and may require the intervention of aggressive cleaners. But as for water-based tire dressings, as long as you get rid of the dye, you are all good.
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Best Products to Remove Tire Shine Stains from Your Clothes
Sometimes, a microfiber cloth, laundry detergent, and a soft-bristled brush may not be effective at removing tire shine stains from clothes.
Such situations usually call for more advanced cleaners, such as the following;
- WD-40: We have lost count of the number of ways WD-40 has been hacked as a household cleaning product. However, what we do know is that WD-40 works magic in getting rid of tire shine stains from clothes. When you apply it to the stain, WD-40 loosens the tire shine and rubber particles, making it easier for you to clean with soap or detergent.
- Rubbing Alcohol: This product also works similarly to WD-40. It loosens the particles of tire shine on clothes, making it easier for you to clean them. Rubbing alcohol is very effective at removing tire shine stains, but you need to be mindful of the dye and material of your clothes.
- Acetone: If the stain is on a plain colored cloth, you can remove it with acetone or nail polish remover.
- Good Ol’ Fashioned Baking Soda and Vinegar: Combining these two common household products can remove stubborn tire shine stains on your clothes. Let it soak for a while before cleaning the spot with water and detergent.
- Essential Oils: The likes of tea tree oil or eucalyptus can get rid of dried tire shine stains on your clothing. Soak the stain in an essential oil of your choice and clean it with a damp cloth.
It’s also very crucial to note the different sort of fabrics that you could be dealing with – as this will determine the exact method to be used.
The below table covers the different types of fabrics and their recommended cleaning methods for tire shine stains.
Fabrics and their recommended cleaning methods
| Fabric type | Recommended cleaning method |
|---|---|
| Cotton | Use dish soap or laundry detergent. |
| Polyester | Use baking soda or white vinegar. |
| Wool | Use white vinegar or rubbing alcohol. |
| Silk | Use dish soap or white vinegar. |
| Leather | Use rubbing alcohol or a specialized leather cleaner. |
Prevention Tips: Say No to Tire Shine Stains on Your Clothes
It’s easier and less stressful to prevent tire shine stains than cleaning them. If tire shine is always staining your clothes, here are a couple of prevention tips you should follow;
a) Learn How to Properly Apply Tire Shine:
Many car owners often leave their tires soaked with dressing. This is, however, not advisable. The best thing to do is always to let the tire shine sit for about ten minutes.
Then clean the excess off with a paper towel. By doing so, your tires will remain shiny and won’t stain your clothes if you pass near it.
b) Be Very Careful When Changing Tires:
Whether you are replacing a flat tire or doing the occasional tire rotation, don’t do it while wearing your favorite t-shirt or pair of trousers. There is a reason the guys at your tire shop are always wearing overalls.
Always clean your hands after the change. This will avoid scenarios where you accidentally stain your clothes.
c) Be Mindful of Your Tires Whenever You Are Near Them:
This is a tip you should probably share with family members. People living in urban areas have to deal with small parking spaces.
This makes it easier to stain your clothes when passing near tires with dressing. Exercising caution in such an environment can save you a lot of trouble.
Also Read: Does Tire Shine Cause Tires Crack?
What is the Best Home Remedy for Tire Shine Stains?
Hands down, lemon juice is the best home remedy for removing tire shine stains on clothes. This all-natural solution is an ideal alternative to harsh chemical cleaners.
And the best part is that it’s widely available. Lemon juice infiltrates tire shine particles and breaks them apart, making it easier to scoop them off with a damp cloth or brush.
Also, lemon juice can be mixed with other home remedies, such as tartar cream or baking soda, to deal with stubborn tire shine stains.
In case you can’t gain access to detergents and other cleaning products like WD-40 or rubbing alcohol, you can always use lemon juice.
Final Thoughts
Tire shine stains can make your clothes look unsightly and hideous. And even though conventional cleaning methods may not be effective at removing tire dressing stains, there are a couple of solutions that work wonders.
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I am passionate about all things automotive and have a deep understanding of the topic. As a mechanic, I use my free time to share knowledge of everyday challenges that any car owner can experience – helping you make informed decisions about tires.