Pressure washers
Using a medium- to heavy-duty pressure washer can remove or lighten oil stains on your concrete driveway if the spill is relatively new. First, apply a commercial-grade cleaner to the oil stain and scrub with a brush or broom. Then add detergent to your pressure washer and begin spraying.
Yes, for fresh oil stains, pressure washing with cold or hot water can effectively remove them. Using cat litter or baking soda to absorb the oil, followed by a good degreaser or dish soap, should do the trick for older stains.
A hot water pressure washer will work better in this situation, simply because hot water has a way of breaking down oil and grease on a molecular level. Think about how much easier it is to wash oily and dirty dishes with hot water than with cold. A regular cold water pressure washer will also work.
Generac 2,900 PSI Gas Pressure Washer
If you're looking for serious cleaning power to blast oil stains off the driveway or stubborn tree sap off the patio, this pro-grade gas pressure washer from Generac is one to consider. It offers 2,900 PSI and 2.4 GPM, placing it among the most powerful machines we tested.
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.
A little dirt on your driveway is expected, but the black spots from an oil leak are harder to overlook. Fortunately, you can remove oil stains from a driveway with a few simple cleaning methods. Learn how to get oil off a driveway using common household products, such as dish soap and baking soda.
Krud Kutter contains a unique additive known as "Oil Grabber," which penetrates the surface and dissolves tough stains. This versatile formula can be used to remove grease, oil, mildew, algae, and more. It can also be used on a variety of surfaces, including driveways, patios, sidewalks, basement, and garage floors.
Unfortunately, the rain isn't going to wash it away, and if you leave the oil spill, it can damage your concrete. Oil will break down the sealant/finish on the top layer and seep into the tiny pores of the concrete, creating a permanent stain, if not taken care of.
We use a sweeping compound, sawdust, or even kitty on rough or broom-finished concrete to absorb excess contamination. Once the cat litter or other absorbent has removed the excess oil, we suggest diluted dish detergent with a stiff nylon brush to remove the remaining contamination.
Fill a bottle with bleach and water (1:1 ratio). It's one of the best ways to remove oil stains. But because bleach is a strong product, we recommend that you wear old clothes for this method. Spray it on the surface and allow it to dry for about 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the stain.
Yes, cleaning concrete with vinegar will remove oil from concrete. You wouldn't believe it, but if you've had an oil spill in your garage, it will work. Vinegar will remove mild oil stains from concrete. You might be able to remove even the deepest oil stains if you mix vinegar with dish or laundry soap.
No, you can't simply add an asphalt sealcoat on top of oil stains to hide them. They will eat their way back to the surface, even through new sealcoat. To clean oil stains on asphalt, you must use an industrial strength degreaser and oil stain removal product.
OxiClean
If all these household products fail to eliminate your oil stains effectively, you should consider trying OxiClean as a secret weapon. This detergent is effective even on the most challenging oil stains on concrete.
Oil stains can be permanent, but that is not always the case if they are treated and cleaned quickly after they happen.
The trouble with oil is that it leaves a nasty stain behind that doesn't seem to go away even after you've washed the garment. To make matters worse, if you leave a spot of oil unattended, it will get darker over time and can also stay put permanently if not removed.
Never use cleaners such as Pine-Sol, ammonia, vinegar, or bleach as they will dull, discolor or etch polished concrete and stained concrete floors. Ameripolish Rejuvenating Floor Cleaner is specifically designed for polished concrete. This cleaner can be used with a wet mop or floor scrubber.
Dish Soap. Dish soap is a go-to cleaning product when it comes to removing oil and grease, be it on dishes or on your asphalt. To use, simply pour a generous amount over the stains, add a little bit of water, and scrub the pavement with a hard bristle brush. Then, rinse it using a garden hose to remove the suds.
Is hot or cold water better for removing stains? Oils and greases are semi-solid at room temperature, meaning that it needs to be liquefied to be fully removed. The best way to liquify grease in fabric is to use warm or hot water when washing.
Wash on the usual cycle, on the hottest wash temperature indicated. Always check the instructions on the garment's care label. When the cycle is complete, unload the garments immediately. If the grease stain persists after washing, repeat the previous steps before tossing in the dryer, as drying will set the stain.