Do the surfaces of your garage or driveway have unsightly oil stains? Before staining, sealing, or resurfacing your concrete, it’s critical to remove oil.
Clay cat litter, sand, cornmeal, cornstarch, or baking soda can be used to cover a spill while it is still wet.
In the long run, the oil will seep back through to the surface if it isn’t removed, ruining your new decorative treatment. Learn how to avoid this problem by removing the oil stains from your concrete.
Ways to Clean Oil Stains from Concrete Driveways
Method 1: Using a Detergent Or a Concrete Cleaner/degreaser
Frequently, a strong detergent is used to remove oil stains from concrete. Strong detergent used liberally removes oil stains by emulsifying with the oil and eventually pulling it away.
- Wipe away the extra oil with a sponge or rag. Utilizing cat litter to quickly absorb the oil is a more effective method to accomplish this.
- Pick up your powerful detergent and combine it with some water. Put some oil spot on the sponge and use it. Then, kindly allow the agent 20 minutes to complete its task.
- After that, scrub with the brush until the oil starts to gradually disappear. When you’re finished, rinse with water.
Method 2: Using Baking Soda
Using a simple home remedy, you can always get rid of old oil stains on your driveway. The best solution is baking soda because it can both clean the surface and absorb oil.
Due to its mineral makeup, which enables organic molecules to dissolve, baking soda serves as a cleanser.
- All over the affected area, sprinkle baking soda. Be liberal so the baking soda can effectively remove the oil stains.
- Give it about an hour to sit.
- Utilizing a scrub brush or bristle brush, thoroughly scrub the affected area.
- Once the stain has been eliminated, rinse with water as necessary.
Method 3: Using Vinegar
Oil can also be removed from concrete with vinegar. Its acidic characteristics make it a natural degreaser.
The drawback of using vinegar is that it might not be as aggressive as other common products. Consequently, it works best for simple stains.
- In a bowl of water, combine your cleaner. You can include 3 tablespoons of vinegar, 1/2 cup of washing soda, and a tiny bit of dish soap.
- Apply the mixture to the area that is hurt and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Along with the cleaner, scrub the area with the brush. It works best if you scrub it in a circular motion.
- Rub until the oil dissolves, then use water to rinse the mixture.
Method 4: Using Bleach
We already know that bleach can remove stains in a variety of effective ways. Most people are unaware that bleach can also be used to remove oil stains from concrete.
Typically, oil stains are mixed with other contaminants, making it challenging to clean and get rid of them. Therefore, a long-standing oil stain on a driveway can be removed with bleach.
- Simply make sure to put on protective gloves and a face mask to avoid exposure.
- Always dilute bleach in water at a 1:1 ratio.
- Next, either apply the mixture directly to the affected area or put it inside a spray. Using a spray bottle makes it easier to manage how much of the mixture you want to apply to the area.
- Make sure to lightly scrub the stains, and after that, rinse with water.
Method 5: Using WD-40
You should also be aware that WD-40 can be applied to materials other than metal in order to solve a variety of problems. To remove oil stains from driveways, many people use WD-40.
Due to its solvent qualities, WD-40 works as an oil remover from concrete. No wonder people use it to get rid of oil stains on driveway, it dissolves oil and then gets lifted from the concrete.
You should be aware that while WD-40 is efficient at removing oil stains from concrete, it is also slick. It is crucial that you carefully remove every trace of WD-40 from the concrete after you’re finished.
- Before cleaning, put on your rubber gloves and face mask.
- Where there is a stain, liberally spray WD-40 on the concrete.
- Let it sit for about 20-30 minutes to allow the chemicals to sink into the concrete.
- You’re finished when you use a rag to wipe the area clean after 20 to 30 minutes.
Method 6: Using Coca-Cola
There is a lot more to coke than just a drink. Due to its high acidity, Coke effectively removes old oil stains from driveways.
Just a friendly reminder that the coke should be at room temperature if you decide to use it. So it makes sense to wait for your soda to warm up if it came from the refrigerator.
- A 12-ounce Coca-Cola can will do the trick if the stain is small. Directly pour it on the oil stains.
- Give it a two- to three-hour soak.
- If you want to ensure that the stains are completely removed, scrub it for 5 minutes.
- You’re finished after a quick water rinse.
Method 7: Using Pressure Washer
You won’t have any trouble removing stains from the concrete with a pressure washer. Just make sure your pressure washer has a minimum 1700 psi power.
A pressure washer with a power of 2000 to 3000 psi would be your best bet if you were buying one specifically to clean motor oil off concrete.
- The pressured water should be added with detergent.
- Start spraying and move the washer linearly.
- Prior to rinsing it off, let the water and detergent sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
- After rinsing with water, you’re done.
Bonus Tip: How to Remove Oil Stains from Concrete With Coke
That’s right, you can remove oil stains from concrete with soda. Any kind of cola product works. Simply pour it over the stain. At least eight hours should pass to let it absorb, but overnight is usually best. After the cola soaks into the stain, all you have to do is rinse it off with your water hose. For smaller stains, this technique works best.
Conclusion
You just need to decide which approach will remove oil stains from driveway from among the many that are offered. Another good option if you don’t have a pressure washer is to use regular detergent or baking soda to clean the surface.
Share this article with your friends and family if they’re interested in learning how to get rid of oil stains on concrete driveways so they can thank you for giving them their much-desired clean and spotless driveways.
FAQs
Are Oil Stains Permanent on Concrete?
Thankfully, oil stains on concrete don’t last forever. And you can fix it with the proper concrete oil remover or a strong home remedy.
How Do You Get Oil Stains Out of Concrete Fast?
Oil spills on concrete can be cleaned up by combining the use of a degreaser, baking soda, a potent detergent, bleach, and a pressure washer. If you move quickly, it will be quick and simple.
Does Coca-Cola Remove Oil Stains from Concrete?
In order to remove an oil stain from concrete, Coca-Cola is a useful ingredient due to its properties. It’s important to note that this works best on smaller stains.
