Automotive Academy

Oil and grease stains are unfortunately a common problem for car interiors, due to oil being leaked onto driveways, parking spaces etc and then being stood in and wiped onto the carpet of the car. I was recently asked the best way to remove oil stains from carpets without making it worse, so here is a tutorial to get rid of any nasty stains! 

1.) Remove excess oil or grease by blotting or scraping, using a blunt knife, this will make it easier to get the stain out as the move you remove beforehand the better the result. 

2.) Place a sheet of butcher paper or a portion of a brown paper bag on the stain, glossy side up and then gently press the tip of a warm iron over the affected area whilst holding the paper flat.

3.) Lift the paper from the carpet after the paper has absorbed the grease.

4.) Apply carpet shampoo with a moist sponge if any residual stains remain and then wipe away the carpet shampoo foam with a clean, dry towel.

5.) Finish by hovering the area, if a stain still remains repeat the process again until clean. 

Other products which i have heard apparently work well – but i have not tried – are Head and Shoulders Shampoo and men’s shaving cream straight from the can.

Do you usually clean your cars tyres by giving them a quick wipe round with a dirty soapy sponge and then quickly hose the soap off? You might want to consider a more thorough cleaning that is highly beneficial for you and your tires. Not only does it make the tires look nice, a good wash job allows you to keep regular watch on wear-and-tear. This helps prevent unexpected blow-outs from worn or damaged tires.

Here is a quick tutorial on the best way to clean your cars tyres. 

1.) Wet the tires using a garden hose and water. If there is a lot of tar, road debris or film from brake fluid on them, you may wish to spray them with a pre-treatment product prior to beginning the washing step. 

2.) Use a soft brush and car soap to scrub the tires briskly, using a circular motion to loosen any dried-on dirt. A brush that is too firm could scratch the rims or hub caps on your car.

3.) Rinse with clean water. If the tires still look dirty, repeat the previous steps.

4.) Dry the tires with a soft towel.

5.) Spray on a tire dressing which is available in any hardware or discount store in an automotive section. This will act like a protectant much like wax does for the car body, helping to keep the tires in better shape.