Oil, grease, and gas stains on the concrete driveways can seem nearly impossible to clean. However, some household and other easy-to-use products can easily clean and rejuvenate your concrete driveways.
But it takes trial and error to find which works best for the stains you might have. For example, rubbing with baking soda paste may work for lighter stains while you need a more intense concrete cleaner for stubborn ones.
In this blog, we will learn how to remove oil stains from concrete driveways using cat litter, baking soda, concrete cleaner, liquid detergent, and oven cleaner. Read on to know more.
5 Ways to Remove Oil Stains from Concrete Driveways
1. Use Cat litter to absorb oil
Cat litter is an excellent choice for tackling oil stains. Spread a generous amount over the stain, ensuring it's completely covered. Crush the litter into the concrete with your foot or a brick to enhance absorption. Leave it overnight, then sweep it away. For added effectiveness, scrub the area with soapy water afterward.
2. Soda or Baking Soda
If stains remain even after using cat litter, try using soda or baking soda and water paste. For Soda, you can pour a few cans on the stain letting it lift the stain, and then clean it away.
The second option is baking soda and water paste. Apply the paste on the stain, scrub it with a brush, and then wipe the paste away. This will clean the stain effectively.
3. Concrete Cleaner
For tougher stains, a concrete cleaner is your best bet. As the name indicates, these cleaners are made to clean concrete floors.
These specialized products are designed to penetrate deep into the concrete to lift oil. Follow the instructions on the label, scrub the area with a stiff brush, and rinse well with water. This method restores your driveway's clean look.
4. Liquid Detergent
Liquid detergent is another household cleaner for cleaning oil stains from concrete driveways. Its cleaning agent will break oil molecules and remove them from driveways. Start by mixing liquid dish detergent with warm water.
Pour the soapy mixture over the stain and let it soak for 15 minutes. Scrub the area firmly with a brush to break down the oil. Rinse with a hose, and repeat if traces of the stain remain.
5. Oven Cleaner
And finally, if the above four don't work, you can also try oven cleaner. It can work wonders for stubborn stains.
Spray it directly onto the stain and let it sit for 15–20 minutes. Scrub the area thoroughly with a stiff brush, then rinse with water. Be cautious, as oven cleaner contains strong chemicals that should be used sparingly on concrete.
Tips to Protect Driveways from Oil Stains
Keep your car services regularly to avoid oil dripping.
Seal the concrete driveway with a sealant that resists oil and increases the durability of the concrete floor.
Regular cleaning is key to keeping your concrete driveways stain-free.
Use drip pans under the car which tend to drip.
Park your car or any other vehicle in the same place to avoid stains in other areas.
Let Professional Concrete Cleaning Experts Deal with Oil Stains
With careful attention, you can avoid oil stains on your driveways, but if in case you find some stains on your concrete driveways, you can use household items or specialized cleaners like baking soda, cat litter, concrete cleaner, and oven cleaner to remove oil stains from concrete driveways.
However, as mentioned regular cleaning is key to maintaining a clean and fresh driveway, we advise you to opt for periodic professional concrete cleaning to keep your concrete driveways up to date and sparkle like new always.
At Magic Steam Carpet Cleaning, our specialized concrete cleaning service can do wonders for your driveways, making them spotless with our premium techniques and sustainable products. With years of expertise, we do the task effortlessly and with high efficiency to bring you exceptional results every time.
Call us now to book your next professional concrete cleaning service.