Do tar stains come out?

A fresh tar stain usually comes out if the excess is scraped off, the stain is pre-treated with a stain remover and the item is washed according to its label. Stains that have worked into the fibres and dried may need several pre-treatments and may not come out of every fabric completely.

What removes tar stains?

On fabric, tar is removed by scraping off the excess, pre-treating with a stain remover suited to the fabric according to its label and then washing. On car paint, spots left after washing with car shampoo are treated with a paint-safe tar remover according to its manufacturer's instructions.

Can tar stains be removed with petrol?

Do not use petrol or thinner. These substances are flammable, can damage the colour of fabric and the clear coat of car paint, and must not come into contact with skin. Use a stain remover on fabric, and car shampoo and a paint-safe tar remover on cars.

Guide · Stain removal · October 24, 2026

How to Remove Tar Stains

Tar is a dark, sticky and oily asphalt residue that clings to shoe soles, trouser hems and the lower parts of a car on freshly surfaced roads, at roadworks and in hot weather. The deeper tar works into fabric fibres and the longer it dries on car paint, the harder it is to remove; that is why you should scrape off the excess and work patiently with a product suited to the fabric or surface. This guide explains how to remove tar stains from fabric, jeans, shoes and cars. For machine oil and grease stains, see how to remove machine oil stains.

Before you start

Scrape off the excess: scrape off hardened tar with a blunt knife or a plastic spatula without stretching the fabric.
Do not rub: rubbing tar with a cloth spreads the stain and works it into the fibres.
Read the labels: check the garment's care label and the label of the stain remover you will use.
Don't dry it: do not put the garment in the tumble dryer or iron it until the stain has come out.

How to remove tar from fabric: step by step

If the tar is soft and sticky, place ice wrapped in a plastic bag on the stain; hardened tar is easier to scrape off.
Scrape off the hardened tar with a blunt knife or a plastic spatula and place kitchen paper under the stain.
Apply a stain remover such as TETİK liquid stain remover or İLK BOR Leke Sihirbazı to the stain according to its label and leave it for the time stated on the label; test it on a hidden area first.
TETİK Kar Aspirin can also be used on clothing stains: it is sprayed on the stain and rubbed in gently, then the garment is machine-washed.
Wash the garment separately from other laundry at the highest temperature allowed on its care label, with a laundry detergent suited to the fabric.
Check the stain before drying; if it is still there, repeat the pre-treatment.

How to remove tar from jeans

First harden tar on the hem or knee of jeans with ice and scrape it off. Turn the jeans inside out, place kitchen paper behind the stain, pre-treat the stain with a stain remover and leave it for the time stated on the label. On dark jeans, test the stain remover on an inside seam allowance first. Then wash the jeans inside out at the temperature on the label and check the stain before drying. For washing jeans, see how to wash jeans.

How to remove tar from shoes

Sole: scrape tar off the sole with a plastic spatula or a wooden stick; scrub the remaining dirt with lukewarm water and a little START all-purpose surface cleaner, then rinse.
Fabric and mesh uppers: pre-treat stains on the fabric part of canvas and sports shoes with a stain remover, testing on a hidden spot first; for washing the shoes, see how to wash trainers.
Leather and suede: do not use stain remover on leather and suede shoes; use the care product recommended by the shoe manufacturer or go to a shoe care specialist.

How to remove tar from a car

Wash first: wash the car in the shade while the paint is cool with START Car Shampoo prepared at the dose on the label, then rinse with plenty of water.
Remaining tar spots: small tar spots on wings, sills and bumpers often do not come off completely with shampoo; on these spots, use a tar remover stated to be suitable for paintwork according to its manufacturer's instructions.
Do not scrape: do not scrape tar with a fingernail, knife or steel wool; the clear coat gets scratched.
If a mark remains: if a mark is left on the paint, consult a car paint or detailing specialist.
For dirt on wheels and tyres: how to clean car wheels.

What not to do

Using petrol, thinner or degreaser on fabric or car paint.
Spreading tar by rubbing it.
Drying or ironing the garment before the stain has come out.
Scraping tar off car paint.
Mixing different cleaning products together.

For road, asphalt and municipal crews

In road-building, asphalt and municipal works crews, tar stains appear every day on work clothes and work shoes; collecting stained clothes separately, scraping off tar before it dries, pre-treating with a stain remover and washing according to the label keeps the routine consistent. For work clothes see how to wash work clothes, and for work shoes how to clean work shoes. TETİK liquid stain remover is produced in 30 kg, TETİK Kar Aspirin in 750 g, 5 kg and 30 kg, and START Car Shampoo in 5 kg, 20 kg and 30 kg packs; for bulk purchases you can request a quote.

Prepared by: Tetikoğlu Kimya — cleaning chemicals manufacturer since 1997. When using products, always follow the instructions and warnings on the pack.