I had a 5-quart container of motor oil in the car trunk and the top came loose. Most of it leaked out the bottom of the trunk, but I still have an oil soaked tire compartment cover. It is hatchback with a lower compartment for the spare tire. I have removed the cover and scrubbed it with laundry detergent, which helped a little. I next tried baby powder, not really the trick for this amount of oil. Any suggestions?
Cat litter. Not the clumping or scoopable kind.
Yes, kitty litter/fuller’s earth/oil absorbent/dried clay granules (same thing) will pick up the vast majority of it. Smush it in to where the oil is, and give it a day to do its thing. Then clean out the stuff and inspect to see if a second application is called for (one or two applications should do). After that, you can wash off the oily residue with Dawn dishwashing detergent.
(DEFINITELY not the scoopable kind. You will have a scented kitty-litter/oil rock in your trunk. Or a kitty litter/oil/trunk rock. Use cheap clay kitty litter)
Try hand-washing dish soap to remove the residue; stuff is designed to lift oils.
Cat litter it is. Hope I can keep the cats from pooping on it! Tomorrows thread; how to I get cat filth out of my car trunk? Thanks all!
Most cars have a hole in the spare wheel well, covered with a plastic cap. You can remove the cap and use a hose and soap. The water will drain from the hole to the ground. When it is dry remember to put the cap back.