Getting Diesel Out Of Clothes

[Matt42]

When I dropped my fuel tank to change the sender, I got repeatedly drenched with diesel. My wife was displeased (I understate this) when I washed them in the pricey new electronic washing machine. Well, I wasn't happy either. The smell came out of the washer eventually, but the clothes are soaking in a tub in the garage with water and some purple, soapy mixture with a vague orange smell.

What do you use to get the smell of diesel out of your clothes, and how well does it work?

Ideas we have received so far have included odd, expensive and amusing.
--Throw clothes away and buy new ones. (Have you priced Carhartts lately?)
--Have the uniform service take care of it. (I would if we had a service.)
--Burn the clothes.
--Soak in Murphy's Oil Soap mixed in water.
--Soak in Pine-Sol mixed in water.
--And, "Why didn't you pay someone to do that?"

All ideas, other than the above, are welcomed.

 

[Wayne M.]

Pine sol, or the Zep citrus orange degreaser at Hope Depot. Throw a half shot glass in the tub of the machine and do a empty quick cycle on hot with an extra rinse to make nice with momma.
Take your clothes to a laundromat this time.
Now you sound like a truck mechanic having a bad Monday. I’ve been there! In fact, just today I got whipped in the face by a sling of 90 weight off a rag.
It happens

 

[TFucili]

If it's still around, Lestoil used to work pretty well.

 

[mwilson]

My wife says (based on many years of getting stuff out of my clothes) that Greased Lightning or Simple Green will do it.

Pre treat, then use in place of the detergent...

 

[mwilson]

But if you have already run the clothes thru the dryer the smell may remain like a scratch and sniff in a magazine...

 

[Ozymandias]

I wash'em with 203° for 90' and a good laundry detergent.
That's all.

 

[Jim W]

When I worked with the Cat dealer mechanics out in the field on machines. I was taught by mechanics to clean my clothes with a bottle of 16oz regular coke and what ever laundry detergent I like. We would try and always wash our clothes before going home from the field so, we won't have to bring home grease and fuel smelly clothes. This always worked for me. Coke can and will clean everything. If the first wash doesn't work do it again but do not dry them until thoroughly washed.

My wife has used this on my garage clothes after I have spelled diesel fuel or grease on them when I service the truck.

 

[Matt42]

When I worked with the Cat dealer mechanics out in the field on machines. I was taught by mechanics to clean my clothes with a bottle of 16oz regular coke and what ever laundry detergent I like. We would try and always wash our clothes before going home from the field so, we won't have to bring home grease and fuel smelly clothes. This always worked for me. Coke can and will clean everything. If the first wash doesn't work do it again but do not dry them until thoroughly washed.

My wife has used this on my garage clothes after I have spelled diesel fuel or grease on them when I service the truck.

This I am going to try right away.

 

[jgillott]

If it's still around, Lestoil used to work pretty well.

Best cleaner ever. I can't find it anymore, at least around here.

On edit: It appears that you can still find it on Amazon.

 

[mwilson]

https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/marys-life/10-things-know-lestoil/

I see several Lowe's in Maine showing it on hand.

 

[BDaugherty]

Simple green

 

[CRodi]

There must be something to the citrus ingredient.

Came across this one while searching for something else.

https://www.permatex.com/products/m...-orange-grease-x-mechanics-laundry-detergent/

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

Wash mine in Purple Power(soak if especially bad) on heavy duty cycle, plus extra rinse. Usually works good for grease and fuel. Our uniform service is horrible so I end up washing my uniforms from time to time.

Also, if I am worried about washer still being dirty I will run it empty with a cup of purple power.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Tide & Clorox 2

Our work uniforms were made for such things

 

[Jon David]

When I dropped my fuel tank to change the sender, I got repeatedly drenched with diesel. My wife was displeased (I understate this) when I washed them in the pricey new electronic washing machine. Well, I wasn't happy either. The smell came out of the washer eventually, but the clothes are soaking in a tub in the garage with water and some purple, soapy mixture with a vague orange smell.

What do you use to get the smell of diesel out of your clothes, and how well does it work?

Ideas we have received so far have included odd, expensive and amusing.
--Throw clothes away and buy new ones. (Have you priced Carhartts lately?)
--Have the uniform service take care of it. (I would if we had a service.)
--Burn the clothes.
--Soak in Murphy's Oil Soap mixed in water.
--Soak in Pine-Sol mixed in water.
--And, "Why didn't you pay someone to do that?"

All ideas, other than the above, are welcomed.

My sure fire way to get the Diesel out of clothes is to add one quart of diesel and a match. works every time and since most diesel has bio-diesel it is not to hard on the environment.

Really now, just use liquid laundry soap outside with the hose and pre clean. of course as my Father said "if you don't get dirty in the first place you have less to clean up."

just say'n