Coated clothes in hydraulic oil - what to do?

[spruce Deere]

So I was just using my log splitter, and the hose clamp (hose clamp?!!) on the return for the hydraulic fluid let go, coating my jacket and my favorite pair of carhartt overalls in hydraulic oil.

Not a high pressure line, thankfully, so no injection worries. But I have the sneaking suspicion putting my overalls in the was wouldn't be good for the washing machine or the septic system.

Anything I can do to clean them, or do I have to throw them away?

Figured oils, lubricants was the best place for this... And I'm guessing I'm not the first to take a hydraulic shower...

Oil sprayed carharts= badge of honor. I use purple cleaner as it dissolves oil/grease and is biodegradable in the wash machine with just the carharts. Real bad spills or coatings my carharts visit the shop steam cleaner. They cost way to much to be disposable. I use a little dawn dish soap in my hair plus shampoo while in the shower after things have gone completely ugly mechanic'n on big stuff.

 

[crashz]

Try orange flavored hand cleaner, like Fast Orange. I've saved many good jeans with it and its bio-degradable and powerful. The pumace works good, but only risk it in someone elses washer. Onther hand cleaners like GoJo will stink like petroleum and may be a fire risk.

The trick is to work the hand cleaner into the garment by hand, then wash as normal. All the stains will come out and it'll have slight orange smell. Next wash, no smell. Your Carharts will be as good as new.

If you are on septic, I do not know how it will effect the microbes. Best to work the hand cleaner in then drive to a laundromat and wash there.

 

[SPYDERLK]

If you do this, I would be cautious about disposal of the wash "water" in the bucket.

Especially if you have a well. A little bit of oil goes a long way in a well.

Give it 2 or 3 wash separately in a bucket treatments...

We are talking a few ounces of oil, not a several gallon fuel spill. Not an issue with the well unless you dump it straight in, nor with the septic/drain field under any circumstance. If you want to talk routine washing of oily rags from a multi person shop, then you have an issue.
larry

 

[tallyho8]

Clean them the same way that the uniform shops clean the mechanic's dirty red rags if you can find out how they do it.

 

[JGY]

Get as much of the oil out of the clothes with one of the methods previously mentioned -- soaking in bucket, kitty litter, etc.

Take clothes to your washing machine: Place ONLY the overalls and coat in the washer. Use one half (1/2) the amount of detergent you would normally use and three quarters (3/4) cup of Borax (Twenty Mule Team Borax) and one (1) can (12oz) of Coke. Wash in normal cycle. Hang and dry. Wear.

Joe

 

[JGY]

charlesaf3,

how did it turn out? or did you throw them away?

joe

 

[D7E]

Jesus... i come home drenched in oil every day....Thats what a washing machine is for..???
Oil makes sandwiches taste better..?

 

[Willl]

Throw them in the wash and don't think twice about it.

 

[D7E]

I have an old "tough duck" jacket that my son calls my "shiny" coat it's so soaked in oil...washing has little effect on that one any more...just makes it smell better..?

 

[Charlesaf3]

sorry - thought I posted it above. I took em to the dry cleaner. Still waiting to get them back, as the dry cleaner wants to run them as a separate load because of the oil. On the plus side, they'd clearly seen it before.