How to remove oil from concrete and driveways

There are many common household products that you may already have which can help remove oil stains from your garage floor or driveway. It may take trial and error to see which work best on your particular stain, but depending on what’s available in your home, you might try some of these products – and even a combination of them.

Cat litter

Clay-based kitty litter could help soak up a fresh spill on concrete or asphalt, according to Bob Vila. It may take a few hours to absorb it enough to begin sweeping.

Soda

If there is still residue after applying cat litter, then you might use a few cans of cola, says Reader’s Digest. Room temperature is ideal, adds CNET. Pour soda on the stained area and leave it there anywhere from 20 minutes to a few hours before wiping it up. You might even use a scrub brush or bristle broom to work the soda into the stain.

Baking soda

Baking soda has chemical properties that can help dissolve grease and dirt, according to House Digest. And it’s just abrasive enough to remove the stain without harming the surface.

An effective way to use baking soda, says Better Homes & Gardens (BHG), is to first use an absorbent, like cat litter. Then scrub it with a mixture of baking soda and water, which forms a paste.

Powdered laundry detergent

Powdered laundry detergent can also be effective, says BHG. Sprinkle it on the oil spill, add warm water to create a paste and scrub it for a couple of minutes. After it sits for about 15 minutes, scrub the area again and rinse.

Oven cleaner

Spray grease, oil or transmission stains with oven cleaner and let it sit for about 10 minutes, advises Reader’s Digest. Then scrub and rinse it off.

But beware of harmful chemicals getting into your garden bed, Bob Vila cautions. Consider using a product that is biodegradable – it’ll likely say so on the canister. Also note that stubborn stains may need more than one round.

WD-40

WD-40 can do more than eliminate unpleasant door squeaks – it may also help remove oil stains in your driveway, according to Reader’s Digest. That’s because it has ingredients that can penetrate grease. Spray a liberal amount on the area and let it sit for 20 minutes, adds Organic Lesson, then wipe the area clean.

Concrete cleaner or degreaser

The solution is in the names themselves. Concrete cleaner and degreaser could lift and remove unsightly stains, according to the Concrete Network. Old stains are particularly difficult to remove. Using a combination of cat litter and degreaser may do the trick, says Organic Lesson.

Muriatic acid

Another way to remove stains is by using muriatic acid. While this chemical solution is widely available at hardware stores, it is extremely dangerous, according to Mount Pleasant Pressure Washing. So, before purchasing muriatic acid, research proper safe handling instructions, like wearing a mask or gloves, and make sure to follow all instructions about properly diluting the chemical. You may also wish to try other cleaning methods first before turning to muriatic acid.

Oil can leave a dark stain on pavement, but you may be able to clean even stubborn spots out of your concrete driveway. Good Housekeeping suggests following these steps to get oil stains out of your concrete driveway or garage floor:

1. If the spill is still wet, cover the stain with clay cat litter, sand, cornmeal, cornstarch or baking soda. This will help absorb the oil before it soaks into the cement.
2. Once the spill has dried, sweep up the absorbent material. Then, wet the stain with water. If it's a set-in stain, start the removal process by spraying the stain with water.
3. Use a stiff brush, such as a broom, and scrub the area with a paste made of baking soda and water.
4. Use a hose to rinse the pavement clean. Let it air dry.

Other options you can try to remove oil stains from concrete:

1. Covering the stain with spray lubricant and then rinsing with water, says Reader's Digest.
2. Putting a paste of powdered laundry detergent and water on the stain, says BobVila.com. After letting it sit, scrub it with a broom or brush and rinse the spot off with water.
3. Scrubbing the stain with a grease-cutting dish detergent and a stiff broom, according to BobVila.com.
4. Spraying the oil spot with a microbial stain remover, says The Spruce. This type of stain remover is biodegradable, and you can later clean the area with soap and water.

The steps for removing stains from an asphalt driveway are similar to a concrete driveway. If you notice a fresh spill that hasn’t set in yet, you can attempt to soak up the liquid with an absorbent material before spraying with water.

If the stain is already set in, attempt to remove it with less abrasive substances first, according to Anderson & Sons Asphalt. These include simple cleaning solutions made with vinegar, dish soap and laundry detergent, or by using soda. The process is straightforward:

1. Choose your preferred cleaning solution.
2. Apply it to the affected area.
3. Use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub vigorously
4. Rinse with water
5. Let the area air dry

For tough oil stains that aren’t coming up with simple solutions, Anderson & Sons recommends consulting a professional because depending on the condition of the asphalt, certain chemicals or methods might actually do more damage to your driveway.

If you are determined to go the DIY route, they provide instructions for using degreasers, tri-sodium phosphate solutions and muriatic acid solutions. Please note, some substances (like muriatic acid) may be dangerous, so follow all safe handling instructions and dilute them properly.

If DIY attempts fail, they note you can hire a professional cleaning service who has special tools or get a small amount of new asphalt to evenly layer over the affected area.

Pavers may look nice, but they’re still porous and can absorb liquid stains just like concrete or asphalt driveways, according to Pacific Pavingstone. Instructions for removing oil stains from a brick driveway are similar to ones for other driveway surfaces (like letting a dish soap or laundry detergent solution sit before scrubbing), but there are some key differences:

1. Manufacturers may have specific guidelines for different types of stains on their pavers. So, check with them before attempting a DIY option.
2. Before attempting to remove a stain in a prominent area, test cleaning solutions on a less noticeable corner of your driveway so you can see what the result may look like.
3. Make sure the brush you choose won’t leave scratches or forceful scrubbing and pressure washing won’t erode the sand between pavers that helps them stay seamlessly connected.
4. Whenever possible, use an absorbent material to help soak up the staining element so you’re not rubbing it into the brick.

It’s recommended to try cleaning any stains first, explains Pacific Pavingstone. But they also note that because they’re individual stones, the affected bricks can be removed and replaced if a stain does not come out.

Transmission fluid spills or leaks may leave a bright red stain on light-colored concrete. Here are some suggested steps for removing the stain, according to Reader's Digest:

1. Spray the stain with oven cleaner and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Use a stiff brush to scrub the spot. Then, rinse with a hose at its highest pressure.
3. If the stain is still there, repeat the process.

Also, excessive stains could signify vehicle issues. That’s why it’s important to have maintenance done regularly to ensure that everything is working properly – and before issues become more costly.

The best way to prevent stains is by being proactive. Take good care of your vehicle and look out for any signs of gas, transmission fluid or oil leaks on your driveway or in your garage. If you see a new spot on the floor, clean it up quickly and put cardboard or a similar option down to shield the ground until you can get your vehicle to a mechanic.

You can also seal concrete, according to Lowe’s, and they note that not only can sealing your driveway help protect it from grease, it makes it easier to clean off deicing salts and protects it from other harsh elements. Before sealing your driveway, be sure to research which type is best for your specific home.