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How to Remove Oil Stains From Your Driveway

It usually happens without you knowing it. Your car, generally reliable, begins leaking oil or some other fluid while parked in your driveway. By the time you realize what’s going on, you’re left with an area of your driveway or garage floor that is permanently stained. But does it have to be? Well, it turns out that it is possible to remove oil stains from concrete surfaces.

While some folks would recommend using harsh chemicals or cleaners, these can often pose health risks or environmental problems. Others suggest using pressure washers, which can be a great idea – if you know how to use them. You may want to remove the oil stains from your driveway, but you can easily etch away part of the driveway itself if you’re not careful.

Follow these steps from ProMaster, and you’ll go a long way towards restoring your stained concrete and increasing your curb appeal. You’ll also prevent damage to the concrete itself and your lawn by using family-friendly materials and no pressure washers.

Note that some stains, particularly older ones, may be stubborn. You may need to try this technique several times, or additional techniques.

How to Remove Oil Stains from Concrete

Step 1:

Before you remove oil stains, you should brush or rinse the stained area to remove loose debris. This could include gravel, leaves, grass clippings, mulch, or other dirt that may collect in this area. If working on the interior of a garage, be sure to move other items away from the area in questions. This will ensure that you don’t get your belongings wet or otherwise damaged.

Step 2:

Acquire a gallon of Simple Green concrete cleaner. Mix two cups of the cleaning solution with one gallon of water in a bucket. Pour the mixture over the stain, covering the area entirely. If you want to remove oil stains that cover a larger area, try to break up the stain into multiple sections smaller than 2 ft. x 2 ft.

Step 3:

After allowing the solution to sit for 1-2 minutes, use a scrub brush to scrub the area. You may need to use quite a bit of force, working in one small area before moving on to the next.

Step 4:

After scrubbing, allow the solution to soak in for about five minutes. Before the area dries, use a garden hose at it’s highest pressure to rinse the solution from the concrete.

Step 5:

If necessary, after drying, repeat this process for optimal results. For stubborn stains, additional techniques may be required.

Other Ways to Remove Oil Stains From Concrete

Removing oil stains that have been there a long time may be difficult, and could require some of the harsher products or techniques we have sought to avoid here. There are other techniques that some people have used to remove oil stains from concrete with varying degrees of success. In addition to pressure washing and Simple Green, you may want to research using:

  • TPS
  • Carburetor or Brake Cleaner
  • Kitty Litter

Concrete Problem Bigger Than Oil Stains? Call ProMaster!

If you are in need of concrete repair or installation in the Cincinnati area and don’t know where to start, no problem. Just contact ProMaster! Our team of craftsmen would love to help you with your home’s concrete needs. Simply call 513-322-2914, schedule online, or use the “Reach Out” form at the bottom of this page.

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