How do I get motor oil stains out my concrete driveway?

Eleanor
by Eleanor
  5 answers
  • William William on Apr 10, 2019

    WD-40. Did a leaky oil pan leave a big ugly spot in the middle of your concrete driveway? To get rid of an unsightly oil spot, just spray it with a generous amount of WD-40 and then hose it down with water.


    Soda (Coca Cola). Here’s how to remove oil stains from concrete drive-ways and garage floors: Gather up a small bag of cat litter, a few cans of cola, a stiff bristle broom, bucket, laundry detergent, bleach, eye protection, and rubber gloves. Cover the stain with a thin layer of cat litter and brush it in. Sweep up the litter and pour cola to cover the area. Work the cola in with a bristle broom, and leave the cola for about twenty minutes. Mix 1/4 cup laundry detergent with 1/4 cup bleach in 1 gallon (3.7 liters) warm water and use it to mop up the mess.


    Oven Cleaner. Get those unsightly grease, oil, and transmission fluid stains off your concrete driveway or garage floor. Spray them with Easy Off No Fume Oven Cleaner in the BLUE can. Let it settle for 5-10 minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush and rinse it off with your garden hose at its highest pressure. Severe stains may require a second application.


    Kool-Aid. Nasty rust stains on your concrete? Mix unsweetened lemonade Kool-Aid with hot water. Scrub and the rust stain should come right out.


    Baking Soda. Salt and commercial ice-melt formulations can stain — or actually eat away — the concrete around your house. For an effective, but completely innocuous, way to melt the ice on your steps and walkways during those cold winter months, try sprinkling them with generous amounts of baking soda. Add some sand for improved traction.


    Ammonia. Tired of those annoying discolorations on your concrete work? To get rid of them, scrub with 1 cup ammonia diluted in 1 gallon (3.7 liters) water. Hose it down well when you’re done.

  • Joy30150932 Joy30150932 on Apr 10, 2019

    You can purchase degreasers for oil from your local hardware or auto store.

  • Margot Lynn Margot Lynn on Apr 11, 2019

    Cat litter granules, works. Pour on top of oil soaked

    area. Leave there all night if necessary, sweep up w/old broom/dust pan. Dispose of in paper sack, then small garbage bag.

  • Leah Leah on Apr 11, 2019

    Krud Kutter is a degreaser. They make several kinds for different projects. My Husband used the original concentrate to clean his truck engine and lawn mover.

  • Michelle Leslie Michelle Leslie on Apr 13, 2021

    Hi Eleanor, if the oil is new apply a some clay cat litter over the stain. Let it sit and absorb as much as possible. Sweep away and repeat a few times if it's saturated. Then apply a degreaser and pressure wash. You can also use a good cleaner degreaser from the automotive store and a stiff broom.