Oil Stains on Concrete: How to Get Rid of Them

Sick of seeing oil stains on your garage floor or concrete driveway?

Do you plan to seal or resurface your concrete floors soon?

Oil stains on concrete can be difficult to get rid of if you don't know the right techniques. The oil will seep back to the surface if it is not removed properly, rendering your efforts futile.

Fear not, for we have some advice to help you if the thought of cleaning oil stains from concrete fills you with dread.

Fresh Oil Stains on Concrete: Cleaning Tips

Eventually, you'll have to deal with an oil stain, whether it's from an oil leak in your own vehicle or a friend's, or from oil spilled during a DIY oil change.

Most oil spills are easiest to clean up right after they happen, before the oil has had a chance to harden. The first step is to stop the fluid from spreading. You should use something absorbent, like clay kitty litter. It must be made of clay to be used as cat litter. Since it is not as absorbent, other kitty litter is ineffective.

If you don't have any cat litter on hand, then... Not a problem. Oil spills can be contained before they become a major problem by using other common household items. All of these things:

• Ammonium bicarbonate
• Cornmeal
• Cornstarch

Sawdust, sand, or dirt can be substituted if you don't have any of the above materials. You can just sprinkle the dry stuff over the oil. Let it sit for a while so the oil can soak in. Then, remove the dry matter by sifting and discarding it.

Useful Modifications to Common Items

The most effective way to get rid of a new spill is to break it up and then rinse it. The materials at your disposal include, but are not limited to:

Tools like a broom or a stiff nylon brush, as well as a garden hose or pressure washer, will come in handy.

Diffuse the Latest Oil Spill

A medium should be used to soak up the oil. Scrub the affected area with your stiff brush, working the fabric into the stain. When using baking soda, this is especially helpful. Obtain the oiled debris and throw it away.

Apply a lubricant or penetrant, such as WD-40, to the entire stain and spray it thoroughly. Wait 30 minutes and then try again. After that, give it a final cleaning using your garden hose's strongest setting to ensure thoroughness.

Instead of spray lubricant, dish soap that contains grease-cutting ingredients can be used in a pinch. Saturate the entire stain and apply it liberally. Wait 30 minutes, then use a water hose or pressure washer to remove it.

Transmission fluid stains can be removed with oven cleaner. Ten minutes later, the oil stain should be gone. The final step is to use your garden hose to rinse away the stain and repeat as necessary.

Oil Stains on Concrete: How to Get Rid of Them

Tough stains can only be removed by using a rigorous cleaning process. Although removing old grease stains from concrete may be more of a challenge, it is possible to do so.  

Oil, gasoline/fuel, or transmission fluid spills can be particularly difficult to remove, and you may need to employ more than one of the aforementioned techniques.

An older oil stain requires more forceful treatment. Put baking soda and water into a blender and blend until you have a paste. The next step is to apply the paste over the entire stain. After 30 minutes, use a scrub brush to thoroughly incorporate the mixture into the concrete.

Powdered laundry detergent can be added to the baking soda if you don't have enough to completely remove the oil stain. For best results, apply heavy pressure as you scrub with this stain remover. Maximum absorption will result from this. It's best to let the paste sit overnight if you have a lot of oil stains to deal with. In the morning, give it one more good brushing and rinsing, and it will be as good as new! If necessary, repeat the steps.

Application of a Poultice

In the case of a particularly stubborn oil stain, you can resort to a method that has been proven effective time and time again by professional contractors. Soak the absorbent material in a powerful solvent like acetone first.

Using a solvent? Be sure to protect yourself! Combustible solvents are a danger. You shouldn't let it touch your skin.

If you'd rather not use peanut butter as a poultice, you can make a safer alternative by combining cat litter and grease-cutting dish soap. That the blend won't jiggle around as much is a must.

Use the solvent solution on the stain. Cover it As the solvent dissolves the stain, the material pulls it to the surface, where it can be easily removed. The procedure will be tediously gradual. Be patient

Extra Help: Using Coke to Get Rid of Oil Marks on Concrete

This is what you read Cleaning oil stains from concrete can be done with baking soda. A product of any cola brand will do. If the stain persists, simply pour more on top. Let it sit for at least eight hours, preferably overnight, for maximum effect. You can simply use your water hose to wash away the cola stain after it has had time to soak into the fabric. Smaller stains are better suited to this method.

Cleaning a Concrete Driveway or Patio with Professional-Grade Cleaners

The good news is that there are plenty of professional driveway stain removal options available if you've exhausted all DIY methods. Remover of Stains materials obtainable from a home improvement center, like:

• Remove oil stains with Pour-N-Restore.
• Goof-Off® Degreaser (this engine degreaser is also fantastic for cleaning concrete driveways) )
• Cleaner and degreaser that eats oil
• Concrete and Driveway Cleaner, Purple Power
• Concrete and Driveway Cleaner by Zep

You won't have to put in as much effort scrubbing out stains thanks to the chemical power of these cleaners. However, as these are more potent than detergent, careful attention to the directions is required. Wear protective gear when working with chemicals, including goggles and gloves.

Antibacterial Cleansing Agents

Microbial cleaners are an effective alternative to using harsh chemicals to remove oil spills if you need something stronger than regular dishwashing detergent.

It's true that oil stains can be "eaten" by products like ACT Concrete Cleaner and Terminator HSD. Oil provides microbes with a food source. Microorganisms will keep devouring it so long as it remains. Consequence: they give off carbon dioxide When they consume the entire oil stain, they eventually die, leaving behind a less dense mark.

There is no need for a nylon brush or bucket when using a microbial cleaner. You won't need to scrub, but patience is required.

Be sure to cover the entire stain with the cleaner before you begin. Spray water in a fine mist over the area. Let it sit You can see the stain fading before your eyes. The removal of oil stains may require multiple attempts. Driveways made of concrete or asphalt can be cleaned with microbe-based products.

Prepared to Take on Oil Splatters

If you have oil stains on your concrete, don't worry; there are several methods you can try. If these methods don't work, however, it may be time to bring in a professional cleaning crew, such as Upstairs Downstairs Cleaning Service, that is familiar with removing oil stains from concrete.

Elmhurst, Palatine, Arlington Heights, and other nearby suburbs, we work hard to give you the best deep cleaning services possible. To help you maintain your sanity when life gets hectic with work, friends, and the holidays, we also provide same-day and holiday cleaning services. To arrange for service, please contact us today by calling