The Easy Way to Remove Bike Grease Stains
Getting grease on your clothing—be it lycra in-ride, or commuting attire as you’re pedaling to work—is a huge bummer. But it doesn’t have to mean goodbye: Most of the time, your clothing is salvageable.
There isn’t one specific product to recommend as a magic bullet to remove grease stains, explains Joe Devera pro mechanic for Cannondale’s MTB team. Rather, any standard degreaser should do the trick, as long as you follow one major rule: Wash it while it’s fresh. Once the grease sets, you’re going to have a much harder—if not impossible—time getting it out of your clothes.
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For removing stains, Devera suggests ProGold’s degreaser towels, which come in a big batch or individually wrapped. The single-serve packets of degreaser wipes (also available from Cat’s Tongue Towels) are great because you can stash one in your saddle bag or car for emergencies. These towels aren't necessarily intended for your laundry, but work the same way they would on your bike by breaking down grease and oil.You should also keep a bottle of degreaser on hand at home for cleaning up after working on bikes in your apartment or garage. If you don’t have degreaser, try a grease-fighting dish soap rather than waiting to make a trip to the store.
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One last tip? Avoid grease spots in the first place. Consider a heavy-duty mechanic’s apron to protect your clothing during home bike maintenance, or at least keep a beater t-shirt on hand so you’re not doing maintenance in normal clothes or your high-end bike kit. Also keep a box of plastic latex gloves or breathable mechanic's gloves nearby: You’ll want to wear them when you’re getting really greasy, as it saves the skin on your hands from harsh cleansing.
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