Oil, motor fluids, and gasoline can tarnish your driveway or garage floor, giving it a grimy, stained appearance. Given its porous nature, concrete tends to trap dirt, making it a challenging surface to clean. Although removing stains can be difficult, it's not unattainable with a suitable cleaner and some effort.
These common household products can help eliminate unsightly stains, enhancing the look of your driveway or garage, whether the stain is fresh or aged.
A high-concentration soap can work wonders on oil stains, provided you're ready to scrub. One such effective soap is Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Multi-Surface Concentrate. This natural soap is typically diluted for regular household cleaning, but for oil stains, it's best used in a concentrated form.
To use concentrated soap, blot up fresh oil spills without rubbing them in, apply the soap directly to the stain, scrub vigorously, and rinse. Repeat the process until the water no longer forms droplets on the concrete surface.
Oven cleaner can effectively treat oil stains. Spray it onto the stain, let it sit for 10 minutes, scrub with a stiff bristle brush, and rinse it off. Repeat until the stain is gone.
For substantial oil stains, spread cheap cat litter over the stain. Crush the litter into the stain using your foot and let it sit for an hour or overnight for heavier stains. Sweep it up, wash the area with a robust detergent, and rinse.
Baking soda is another good choice. Sprinkle it over the oil stain, wait 30 minutes, and rinse. If the stain persists, reapply the baking soda, let it sit, scrub with a wet brush, and rinse.
Sawdust, due to its absorbent nature, can soak up oil, while paint thinners act as solvents that dilute the oil. Combine them to create an effective oil remover. Spread the damp sawdust over the stain, let it sit for 20-30 minutes, sweep it up, and repeat if needed.
Coca-Cola has long been recognized for its cleaning and stain-removing abilities. Pour two cans of Coke onto the oil stain, wait a day, then rinse it off. Repeat for stubborn stains.
Most households have a can of WD-40 handy. This versatile solvent can also help remove oil stains from your driveway. Soak up any wet oil spill, spray WD-40, let it sit for 5 minutes, then wipe with a rag. If the stain persists, add dish soap, hot water, scrub, and rinse with boiling water.
To get rid of stubborn oil stains, sometimes you need to combine several solutions. Apply a layer of cat litter, pour coke over it, let it sit, then clean using a mixture of laundry detergent, bleach, and warm water.
There are numerous cleaners specifically designed for cleaning concrete surfaces and removing stains. Choose the one best suited for your needs.
The microbes in these cleaners digest the oil and grease, leaving only water and carbon dioxide behind. Apply the solution, wait for the oil to dissolve, then clean the area with soap and water.
You might need to try several of these methods to identify the most effective one for removing oil stains from your driveway. Once it's clean, consider sealing your driveway. Doing so can protect it from future oil and transmission
If you're ready to take action and schedule maintenance for your asphalt surfaces, we invite you to contact our asphalt company. Our team of experienced professionals can provide you with high-quality maintenance and repairs that will keep your asphalt surfaces looking their best for years to come. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a consultation.
