How to Remove Oil Stains on Driveways

Remove Oil Stains on Driveway: Automotive stains on your driveway take away from the great curb appeal of your home. Attempt to remove these types of stains as soon as you see them. However, you may have purchased a house with a stained driveway or garage. We recommend getting help from a local driveway cleaning service in the Upstate. They will have experience and knowledge of how to remove the stains.

WHERE DO CONCRETE OIL STAINS COME FROM?

Primarily, car oil is the leading cause of stains on concrete driveways. The stains could also be transmission fluid, gasoline, grease, or an overflowed radiator. Stains may be caused by servicing your car, putting gas in a lawnmower, or a leak from your or a friend’s automobile.
But, of course, many liquids can leave a stain on concrete. Let’s look at a few DIY methods to remove the stains.

DIY OIL STAIN REMOVAL TIPS

CAT LITTER FOR OIL STAINS

Cat litter is the go-to material to spread on top of the oil or fluid that needs cleaning. Once you apply the cat litter over the spill, use something to pat the litter down. Leaving the cat litter on the oil/fluid stain overnight will help it absorb best. The day you can scrape or sweep up the cat litter. If there is still some there, repeat the process.

Properly dispose of the used litter so pets or wildlife don’t eat it. You may need to follow up with one of the below do-it-yourself methods.

USING COCA-COLA FOR CONCRETE STAIN CLEAN-UP.

Yes, it is an Urban legend about accident clean-up crews pouring Coke to clean highways and roadways. Be assured that is a big myth.

With that being said, Coke does have cleaning properties for stubborn grease. This comes from a high phosphoric acid level in the cola. Pour a can of Coke on the stain and cover that with dishwashing soap. Let the Coke sit for a few minutes, then scrub it with a wire brush using a circular motion. Rinse with water and then repeat if needed.

USING BAKING SODA FOR CONCRETE STAIN REMOVAL.

Baking soda has always been a popular cleaning product. First, use it on an oil stain, coat it with baking soda, and let it sit for an hour or two. The baking soda will penetrate the porous concrete and absorb most of it. Step two will add dishwashing detergent and water, making a thick paste. Again, let this sit. (the longer, the better) Use a brush in a circular pattern and then rinse it off. You may also need to repeat this process a couple of times.

LAUNDRY DETERGENT FOR OIL STAINS

Many homeowners already use this to eliminate nasty stains on clothes. It’s also an excellent product for removing tough oil stains from concrete!

Take the powdered laundry detergent along with some borax with a 1:1 ratio. Make enough mixture to cover the size of the oil stain. This will be a dry mixture; you must let it sit for an hour or two. After sitting, add some water to the mix to create a paste-type substance. Use a scrub brush in circular movements, and then grab the garden hose and rinse.

Cleaning with this process is gentler and may need to be repeated twice or thrice. There is a good possibility it will remove your stain.

EASIEST AND THE BEST METHOD TO REMOVE STAINS.

Oil stains on your driveway and DIY home remedies may be tough to work. Now is the time to contact a professional pressure washing company to thoroughly clean your concrete, rock, or brick driveway or garage. We don’t recommend renting a pressure washer and trying to save a few dollars. Significant damage can be done, and it is difficult and expensive to repair if you don’t understand how to use the pressure washer correctly. Improper high-pressure steam can break and loosen the concrete or cause streaks that look worse than the oil stain.

Calling a professional cleaning company is your best choice. Trained technicians will know the best methods to clean your concrete without harming it. This includes:

The correct PSI and GPM Levels.
Nozzle tip that will clean without chipping the concrete.
Optimal Distance between spray and the concrete.
Use the right cleaning solutions that will help lighten the stains.

Professionals will also follow the correct steps to clean the concrete effectively. Most homeowners and commercial property owners have little patience to do it correctly. They want a quick fix; sometimes, the ending is a disaster.