Engine oil in carpet - how to remove

Question

I was carrying a 5L container of (new) engine oil in the boot of my car. The lid was loose and around 500ml or less leaked out and into the carpet in my boot.
Has anyone successfully removed an oil spill like that? I've read that you can use absorbent material like sand or baking powder to soak it up and then remove it and hit it with solvents and then wash it, I really don't want to run the risk and make it worse so any advice would be appreciated.

Arthur Kalliokoski · Answer

A product you can buy at auto parts stores called "oil dry" will soak up oil from concrete etc. within a few hours even if it's been there a couple of days soaking in. It usually comes in 25 pound bags so you can substitute cat litter (essentially the same thing, granules of dry clay). I'd try that for one or two applications for 12 hours each, then use an ammonia based cleaner to sop up any stain remaining. I haven't tried this on carpeting, but I'd give it a go.

Answered by Arthur Kalliokoski on February 7, 2021

Keager · Answer

kitty litter/oil dry, then dawn dish soap. Scrub, then rinse and repeat using a shop vac.

Engine oil in carpet - how to remove

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