How to Remove Tar

Featured Pro: Eric Stromer
Category: Home Improvement
Time: 1:58


ERIC STROMER: Here’s a common problem – a tar stain. It can get on your shoes from a number of places. I’ll show you how to remove it. I’m Eric Stromer, and this is your GMC Trade Secret.

The answer to getting a tar stain out might already be sitting in your garage. It’s kerosene. That’s right. Kerosene will work wonders on getting tar off most surfaces. Kerosene is an organic petroleum product similar to tar. And because chemically similar things dissolve each other, kerosene will work to dissolve tar, where water will repel.

Now, to treat a tar stain on a carpet, upholstery or other surfaces, begin by scraping off as much as you can using a putty knife or other hard, flat object. Next, put on a pair of safety glasses and some chemical-resistant gloves, because you don’t want to injure your hands or your eyes when working with kerosene. And we’re also going to take a paper towel and we’ll fold it up and put it on top of the stain. And once we get that saturated with kerosene from our sponge, the paper towel will wick up the tar off of the carpet. Now, as it starts to wick up, just keep changing paper towels.

Just as a side note, you might want to try this on a hidden spot of your carpet to make sure your kerosene won’t discolor your flooring. And also, because kerosene is so flammable, it’s not a bad idea to have a fire extinguisher handy before you start the process.

That looks pretty good. When you’re finished treating the carpet with kerosene, let it air out to allow any remaining kerosene fumes to evaporate.

Well, that’s it – no more tar stain. Next time you get a tar stain on your carpet or even clothing, follow these steps to remove it.

I’m Eric Stromer, and that’s your GMC Trade Secret.