How to Remove Oil Stains on Driveways
Oil stains on driveways look awful, and age your home exterior, even if the oil stains are relatively new. Avoid oil stains on your home’s driveway and in your garage if possible, and attempt to eliminate those stains fast, before they really set in.
If the oil stain has been there for a while, like from before purchasing the house, you may need the help of a local driveway cleaning service in Peoria that has the ability to eliminate the most set-in oil stains.
Where Do Concrete Oil Stains Come From?
Mainly, oil from vehicles is the reason for stains on concrete driveways. This could be oil, gasoline or transmission fluids – or a combination. Some of the most common ways your concrete gets stained are from:
- Fixing your own car
- Filling up the lawn mower
- A leak that needs to be checked out by a mechanic
But, of course, there are many other things that can leave an unsightly oil spot on your concrete. So let’s review a few of the best DIY ways to remove those oil stains!
DIY Oil Stain Removal Tips
CAT LITTER FOR OIL STAINS
Cat litter is a simple first step for fresh oil stains where there is excess oil that has to be dried up.
Sprinkle the cat litter all over the oil stain, really getting it down into the stain by crushing it with your feet. It’s recommended to leave the litter on the oil stain for 24 hours so it can absorb as much as possible. Scrape it up or sweep it off of the driveway the following day and repeat if necessary.
Get rid of used litter so your pets and wildlife don’t eat it and get sick from it.
Then you can proceed with one of the following do-it-yourself cleaning techniques.
COCA-COLA FOR OIL STAINS
You’ve probably heard urban legends about accident clean-up crews using Coke to clean up the roads, but, rest assured, that is a myth. That said, Coke does have strong cleaning properties for oily stains, partly because of its carbonated bubbles, but mainly because of the phosphoric acid in the soda.
Pour a good amount of Coke on the oil stain, then cover it with dishwashing liquid (Blue Dawn is widely considered the most effective). Scrub hard with a stiff brush, using circular motions.
Rinse and repeat if needed.
BAKING SODA FOR OIL STAINS
Baking soda is another common home cleaning remedy ingredient.
To eliminate an oil stain on a driveway, you’ll first want to cover the stain with the baking soda and let it sit for a while, anywhere from 30 minutes to two or three hours. This should absorb most of the oil and allow the baking soda to penetrate the porous surface.
Next, add blue dishwashing liquid and water and scrub hard until you have created a thick paste. Again, let this sit for the best penetration, or continue to scrub in a circular motion, then rinse.
Just like the Coke method, you might have to repeat the process one or two times.
LAUNDRY DETERGENT FOR OIL STAINS
Most homeowners already use this to wash off tough stains on clothing. It’s actually a great product for removing bad oil stains from concrete as well!
Mix powdered laundry detergent and borax in equal parts according to the size of the oil stain. You want to cover it completely. Let this dry mixture sit on the oil stain for an hour or more, then add water to make a paste, scrub and then rinse.
This is a gentle cleaning process, so it may be necessary to repeat the process one or two times. But there is a good chance it will work!
DRIVEWAY CLEANING IN Peoria
Some oil stains on a driveway are just too difficult for DIY home remedies. That’s when it is time to call a professional pressure washing company to clean your home’s concrete surfaces.
We don’t recommend pressure washing your driveway on your own to save a a little money. You can cause significant damage that is complicated to fix if you don’t know what you’re doing. The high pressure water can break and loosen concrete, and it can create streaks that look almost as bad as the oil stains.
Calling Peoria Pressure Washing is definitely the best choice. Our technicians know the best methods to clean concrete without damaging it, such as:
- The right PSI and GPM levels to use to remove stains
- Which nozzle will penetrate concrete without damaging it
- The optimal distance to spray the concrete from
- Products that can help lighten stains
Peoria Pressure Washing also follows all of the steps to clean the concrete– the most effective process. Most homeownersdon’t have the patience to do it right. They want immediate results.
A professional pressure washing company in Peoria can also provide protective sealing services for your driveway so oil stains are less likely to occur.