Clothes with Tar on Them- Can I Put Them in the Wash?

Updated on September 10, 2011
M.M. asks from Duluth, MN
5 answers

After playing in the pool all afternoon, I dumped the water out and it created a "waterfall" down into the street. I thought nothing of letting the boys play in the mud while I was putting the pool away- they would be going straight in the bath anyways. I then realized that it was not mud after all, but tar!! Apparently one of the potholes had just recently been filled. So I have spent the past hour scrubbing and cleaning all three of them. It has been torturous but apart from a few lingering stains, they are clean. My question now is can I throw their bathing suits and towels in the washing machine or will the tar get onto the other clothes? I've rinsed the big chunks off but there are alot of stains still. Does anyone have experience with this?

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Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.C.

answers from Colorado Springs on

So, I just googled your question and found a fantastic website! (thanks for the question!!) It is here: http://cleaning.lifetips.com/cat/7405/stain-removal-from-...
From this website, I found this info:

You Can Remove Tar From Clothing

The most important thing to remember if you get tar on your clothing is to make sure it is not exposed to heat – such as a dryer or iron.

When you get tar on your clothing, freezing the tar is one of the best methods you can use to remove it.

•Place ice cubes into a plastic bag. The amount of ice you place in the bag should match the size of your tar stain. For small stains you can use a sandwich bag. For large stains you can use a freezer bag.

•Lay the stained clothing on a flat surface.

•Place the bag of ice onto the tar stain. This will freeze the tar and make it harden.

•When the tar is completely hard, peel it off of your clothing.

HTH!

2 moms found this helpful

C.W.

answers from Lynchburg on

Hi gaby-

I am not sure...BUT I swear by 'goo gone'...available at lowes...home depot...etc.

It has never failed me with 'gooy' messes...might be worth a try!

***Wish I got a kick back...lol...I recommend it LOTS!**

Best Luck!
michele/cat

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Washington DC on

A friend of mine just recently got roofing tar on a pair of white pants. Discovered AFTER they had been washed and dried ... goo gone got it out for her. So I'd give that a try for sure if the ice doesn't work.

Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.K.

answers from Boston on

Baby oil gets tar out

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.K.

answers from Appleton on

If it's just a residue making the stuff look dirty or dusky then try either a bar of Ivory soap or a bar of Fels-Naptha (find it by laundry detergent), these are real soap not detergent and will cut the stain better than a detergent. Rub it on the clothes in the sink and rinse with warm water.

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