How to clean tar and tar on clothes

Did your clothes just get covered with roof tar or asphalt? If the fabric is machine washable, you can carefully choose one of the methods below to remove streaks, spots, stains, tar patches and crumbs.

Table of Contents

Treatment before cleaning stains

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Peel off the tar as much as possible. You can use a blunt knife to gently scrape the tar from the fabric. Although hard tar is easier to pick up, the earlier you peel it off, the easier it is to clean. ^{[1] X Research Source}

If you find it too unreliable, try applying some petroleum jelly (Vaseline cream) and wait a few minutes before trying to shave.

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Test your method of choice on a small area of the fabric first.

Certain cleaning methods can cause some fabrics to become discolored, stained, stretched or changed in texture, grainy or ruffled.

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Do not heat dry. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Removal of thick tar patches (cold method)

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Place shaved ice or ice cubes in a plastic bag and rub over the tar if there is a patch of tar stuck to the fabric. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Removal of thin tar marks or spots (oil method)

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Cover or soak the tar stain with one of the following solvents/oil products: ^{[4] X Research Source}

Warm (not hot) liquid grease;
Vaseline cream, wax, or lotion, mineral oil;
Car tar and insect carcass removers;
Cooking oil;
Orange hand sanitizer.

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Take the garment outside and spray a lubricating oil (like WD40) on the stain – remember not to use near open flames or cigarettes, etc.

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Take clothes out, use a white paper towel or clean rag to dab a small amount of kerosene, paint thinner, mineral alcohol, turpentine, alcohol or lamp oil ( not gasoline) on stubborn stains – do not use near flames or cigarettes, etc..

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Try using nail polish remover instead of solvents – do not use near open flames or cigarettes, etc.

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Use a paper towel or rag to scrub away the dissolved or greased tar.

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Repeat the oil pre-wash method: try a different solvent (volatile substances, kerosene, for example) if cooking oil or grease isn’t very effective – choose one of the products above to treat. handle stubborn stains.

Wash with soap

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You can do this step after applying one of the methods above, or just this is enough.

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Treat tar stains with a stain remover before washing. This product comes in a stick, gel, or spray bottle. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Test the stain remover on an inconspicuous part of the garment first to make sure it doesn’t discolor the fabric.
Rub the product directly onto the stain. If it’s a stick product, rub it heavily on the stain. If using a spray bottle, spray until the stain is soaked. With a gel product, apply gel to cover the stain.
Wait a while for the product to take effect. Check the instructions for use on the packaging for how long to wait.

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Rub the liquid enzyme laundry soap onto the stain. Tar and asphalt stains are oily stains, so you need to use enzyme laundry soap to clean them. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Pour enzyme soap directly onto the stain.
Use a cotton towel or paper towel to press firmly on the stain, then lift the towel.
Do this several times, remembering to turn to the clean part of the towel after each time.

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Wash clothes in the hottest water the fabric can handle. Read the instruction label attached to the garment for the maximum washable temperature. Wash clothes with enzyme laundry soap. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

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Hang the clothes in a cool place to dry. Dry the clothes in a cool place to prevent stains that have not been completely removed from the fabric.

If the stain remains, repeat the steps above, but use dry cleaning solvent instead of the stain remover before washing.

Advice

Seek medical attention and assistance if eye contact with chemicals (solvents, soaps, etc.)
Do not wash with other clothes.
Protect hands with rubber or vinyl gloves.
Protect eyes, hair and skin when using cleaning products. Flush with water to remove chemicals if accidentally sticky.

Warning

Avoid breathing vapors of volatile/flammable cleaners – and do not use these products near open flames (open flames) or cigarettes, etc.
Kerosene and similar chemicals will leave an unpleasant odor that is difficult to remove even after washing.
Avoid drying clothes with heat (only in a cool place) until the stain is gone.
Materials such as leather, suede, fur, or imitation leather should be taken to a laundromat for treatment.
To prevent further damage to your clothes, you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to care for the fabric (temperature, cleaning products and methods, etc.).
Be careful not to burn yourself (from hot grease or hot water).
Stains on clothing labeled “dry clean only” should be taken to a professional laundry service.

Things you need

Protective clothing for skin and hair
Latex or vinyl gloves
Eye protection glasses
Manufacturer’s instructions on how to clean clothes
Solvent (oil)
Volatile, flammable solvents (optional)
Grease (optional) (optional)
Liquid laundry soap or dishwashing liquid (to treat stains before washing)
Laundry soap (for washing clothes)
Paper towels or clean rags
Small scouring brush (old toothbrush)
Water for washing

Steps