Knowing how to remove oil stains from concrete isn't a trick in everyone's cleaning arsenal. However, if you have a car and a concrete drive, the odds of never having an oil spill are not in your favor. Learn DIY hacks to quickly remove oil from concrete driveways and floors, like garage floors. Get step-by-step instructions for how to remove oil stains from concrete using at-home methods like Coke, baking soda, dish soap, cat litter, TSP, and good ole' scrubbing.
How to Remove Oil Stains From Concrete: Materials
A lot of different oil removers are available for your concrete floor. However, before you go forking out the cash for these commercial products, there are a few oil cleaning concoctions you can find right in your home. For these concrete cleaning hacks, you need:
- Baking soda
- Coke
- Cat litter
- Dawn dish soap
- TSP (Tri-sodium phosphate)
- Powdered laundry detergent
- Stiff brush for scrubbing
- Brick
- Sand
- Shovel
- Garden hose
- Container
- Gloves
- Goggles
Clean Excess Oil Off Concrete With Cat Litter
Before you try to remove the stain from your concrete, it's pivotal to remove the excess oil from the concrete. Cat litter is perfect for this job.
- Sprinkle an abundant amount of cat litter on the fresh oil.
- Use your feet to grind it into the stain.
- Allow it to sit overnight or as long as possible.
- Use the shovel to scoop up the cat litter and throw it away.
Depending on how fresh the stain was, cat litter could be enough to remove the stain for you. However, if you still have stains, move on to these other oil-fighting tricks.
Use Baking Soda to Remove Oil Stains From Concrete
Baking soda is an excellent cleaner for fresh oil stains. After removing the oil with a bit of cat litter, grab the baking soda and Dawn.
- Sprinkle the baking soda on the stain. A big stain requires the whole box.
- Let it sit for about 15 minutes or more.
- Add several squirts of Dawn to the baking soda.
- Add enough water to make a paste.
- Scrub with the brush in circular motions for several minutes.
- Rinse with water.
- Repeat as needed for deep stains.
Clean Oil Stains From Concrete With Coke
Coke isn't just for drinking. It's also suitable for cleaning oil from concrete and getting rust off your toilet. Who knew? For this oil-busting recipe, grab the Coke and Dawn.
- Coat the entire stain in Coke.
- Add an abundant amount of Dawn.
- Use the brush to scrub in circular motions.
- Rinse with water.
- Repeat as needed.
Remove Oil Stains From Concrete Driveway
Don't have Dawn? Not to worry, grab your powdered detergent and head to the driveway.
- Cover the entire stain in powdered detergent.
- Add a bit of water for it to become a paste.
- Using circular motions, scrub the stain with the brush.
- Let it sit for an hour or two.
- Rinse and repeat until the stain is gone.
Clean Oil Spills From Concrete With Sand
If you want to put the work in, you can remove oil from concrete without chemicals. But it takes a bit of elbow grease.
- Sprinkle sand on the oil and let it absorb it.
- Sweep away the sand, only leaving a small layer.
- Scrub the area with a brick.
- Sweep again.
- Repeat until your stains are eliminated.
Remove Oil From the Garage Floor
Old or deep oil stains that don't respond to the home methods, it's time to break out the big guns. However, the big guns come with risks, so grab your gloves and goggles before using TSP.
- In a container, mix a cup of TSP with a gallon of water.
- Pour the mixture onto the stain.
- Let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Scrub with your brush in circular motions for a few minutes.
- Rinse and repeat as needed.
Does WD-40 Remove Oil Stains?
WD-40 is an effective grease stain remover. In some cases, WD-40 can remove oil stains from concrete. However, it isn't as effective as other methods and depends on how old the stain is. If you have it on hand, you can try it by spraying it on the stain and letting it sit for 30 minutes. Scrub it with your brush, then soak it up with the cat litter.
Prevent Oil Stains on Concrete
One of the best ways to get oil off concrete is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Keep a few things in mind to keep your concrete floors and driveways looking like new.
- Use an oil mat under your car to prevent any leakage on your concrete garage floor.
- Seal your concrete, so it does not absorb any oil stains.
- Clean up engine oil immediately to avoid deep stains.
- Watch your car or vehicles for leaks.
- Service vehicles regularly.
Keep Your Concrete Free From Engine Oil
If engine oil drips on your concrete driveway, you aren't stuck with it. Just dive into your pantry rather than spending a bunch of money on commercial cleaners. And since oil stains aren't the only problem you might face, get some additional tips for removing rust from concrete.
