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Amber asked: How can I remove a black, greasy fingerprint from my light colored car ceiling? I had some interior work done on my car, and the mechanic doing the work left a dark black, greasy fingerprint on my light, tan ceiling. How can I remove it without hurting my ceiling?
Though removing the grease may not be too difficult, precautions need to be taken to ensure that the ceiling fabric does not come loose and sag. Here are the appropriate steps to safely remove stains from the car ceiling.
You Will Need:
- Dawn dish soap (or other grease-fighting dish soap)
- Ammonia
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Water
- Soft cloths
- Bowls, buckets or spray bottles
Steps to Remove the Stain:
- Begin by cleaning the area with a brush or vacuum to remove any dust or dirt buildup that may be present.
- Next, choose one of the cleaning products above. Do not mix them or use multiple products for one cleaning session.
- Mix a small amount of soap with water. If you choose ammonia or peroxide, dilute it with one part water and one part cleaner. Test a hidden area first to ensure there is no discoloration.
- Place the mixture into a spray bottle or small bowl/bucket.
- Moisten a cloth lightly with the water/cleaner mixture.
- Gently blot the stain on the ceiling.
- Use caution not to overwet the area or it will break the glue down that holds the ceiling fabric in place.
- Follow the wet cloth with a dry cloth to blot away excess moisture.
- Repeat until the stain is removed.
- Blot with clean water to rinse, followed by a dry cloth to dry.
- Brush or vacuum the dry ceiling to restore the texture.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Avoid spraying or soaking the ceiling directly. The saturation of liquid will cause the glue to release and the ceiling fabric will sag.
- If the stain is old, make it “fresh” again by rubbing on some petroleum jelly.
- There are commercial products designed to remove oil and grease. They are available in the automotive section.
- Baby wipes work well for quick fixes. They contain alcohol which will break down the grease and wipe it away.
Hello there! I need to clean my car interior carpet really badly! I work in the restaurant business and my car is in need of some special treatment. I have black grease stains that I have tracked into my car from the bottoms of my shoes. I thought I was doing okay because I had bought some rubber floor mats, but I have been seeing that there are areas that are not protected. I am starting to feel like I am riding in a trashcan, not my vehicle! The smell is not pleasant at all. Please help!
Angela,
This article will help: How to Clean Grease from Carpet. It is specifically meant for food grease stains. You can use the 1:1 vinegar water solution to clean the grease stains and that will deodorize the carpets or seat fabrics as well.
Source: VinegarTips.com – Automotive
Source: HowToCleanStuff.net – How to Remove Odors from Carpet