Anyone who gets chain oil on their trousers or jacket when out cycling needs to act quickly because the fresher the stain, the greater the chance it can be removed without leaving residue.
Bernd Glassl, a laundry and detergent industry specialist, says some quick first aid at the sink can be worthwhile, even if it's only the office toilet or the bathroom of friends you are visiting.
You don't necessarily need a detergent and you can also apply some hand soap or washing-up liquid to the oil stain, Glassl says. Leave it to work for a few seconds then rinse it out.
If you're at home, you can of course also use a colour detergent. Specialist stain removers for lubricant stains are also available in shops and can be used for pre-treatment.
Don't skip that pre-treatment step, Glassl says, as this is particularly recommended for stains that don't consist solely of pure oil but also involve pigments. Otherwise, he said, you run the risk of the pigments becoming fixed in the fabric.
A bit of mechanical action, aka light scrubbing, can also help remove the pigments from the fabric. If you're shopping for a specialist stain remover, look for one that comes with a brush. Otherwise, you can also use an old toothbrush to rub the stain. – dpa
