Asked on May 23, 2019
How to remove linseed oil from brick pavers?
Hi, I inadvertently knocked over a container of linseed oil on my brick paved patio. I immediately mopped up the excess and blotted with newspaper but the it left a big unsightly stain.I happened to have a mortar cleaning product (that says it's cleans oil) which I then scrubbed into the brick pavers with a stiff nylon brush and rinsed off with a hose pipe as per instructions.I repeated this action another two times each with a stronger solution but although actual bits of brick disintegrated, the ugly oil stain is hardly changed.Please help - I am at a complete loss as to what to do now. One small accident has ruined my patio and I am absolutely mortified!
Related Discussions
Suggested Project Book
Don't fret, these things happen. More than likely, the only one that it really bothers is you. I guarantee any of your guests will either not notice nor care. Let nature take its course. If it gets summer sun, it will fade naturally. Anything you do, as you found out, will gradually disintegrate the brick itself over time, and then you have a bigger problem and eyesore. And then you might need to replace a section that will be difficult to match. Just relax and enjoy your space.
Here's a video tutorial where they actually burn oil off of brick pavers. I'd only do this if you felt comfortable, though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDdRz5zjspg
This is for cleaning concrete but should work on pavers.
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.