Get rid of oil stains on your driveway with these easy cleaning tips.
Automotive oils can leave unsightly stains on your driveway.
Learn how to get oil off a driveway usingcommon household products, such as dish soap and baking soda.
Credit: wattanaphob/Getty Images
Plus, read up on products specifically designed for tackling tough oil stains on concrete.
However, you might need to call ona more powerful cleanerspecially formulated to clean driveways or concrete.
First, determine whether your driveway is concrete or asphalt.
If it’s asphalt, skip solvents and opt for soap.
Keep an eye out for plants and landscaping when using cleaners.
Some cleaners provide instructions for protecting plants from runoff and errant sprays.
The manufacturer might recommend saturating the surrounding plants, grass, and vegetation with water before using the cleaner.
Sprinklecat litter over a fresh stainand let the cat litter absorb the oil.
Baking soda is a mild alkali that’s effective at dissolving dirt and grease.
Squirt some dish soap on the oil stain.
Scrub the stain with a heavy-duty brush.
Then rinse away the soap with water.
Repeat the process until the oil stain fades.
Keep in mind that tough driveway materials like concrete and asphalt can withstand heavy scrubbing.
Don’t shy away from using a little elbow grease and a heavy-duty brush to remove the oil stains.
This method works for both concrete and asphalt driveways.
Step 1: Apply Detergent
Sprinkle powdered laundry detergent over the oil spill.
Carefully apply enough warm water over the laundry detergent to form a paste.
Scrub the spot for one additional minute, then rinse away the laundry detergent with clean, warm water.
Step 1: Apply WD-40 to Stain
Spray WD-40 onto the oil stain on your driveway.
ensure the entire effected area is covered.
Step 2: Scrub and Rinse
Scrub the oil stain with a heavy-duty scrub brush until clean.
Once the stain has been lifted, rinse the area with water.
Once saturated, sweep up the litter or baking soda, and rinse the area with water.
Wear work gloves to protect your hands as you scrub to avoid scraping your knuckles on the concrete.
You should also wear proper safety gear, according to the product’s instructions.
Here are a few ways to avoid automotive oil stains on the driveway.
While oil stains can be difficult to remove, they are not permanent.
Scrub the stain and repeat until it’s removed.
This method should only be used for concrete driveways.
It also leaves behind a persistent odor that can linger in the concrete for weeks or even months.
Gasoline Explained -U.S. Energy Information Administration(EIA).
