Oil stains on a driveway are a common occurrence. You drive your car in and out multiple times a day. You never know when minor oil spills or leakages can happen. These accidents can leave nasty stains on your driveway. These stains can further attract dust and grime easily. To remove old oil stains from driveway, you need to take quick action.

Oil stains are an eyesore with being a slipping hazard. Ensure to clear up oil spills immediately. Fortunately, it is easy to clean these stains with the correct cleaning agents and techniques. Learn here about a few methods to clean oil stains.

Methods To Remove Old Oil Stains From Driveway

↪ Cat Litter 

You might be surprised, but it is true- cat litter can clean oil stains. It is said to contain highly absorbent clay. You can use the litter box if you have pet cats at home. Else, you can buy an inexpensive brand of cat litter. Avoid expensive brands because they are perfumed and clump up when in contact with moisture.

Pour cat litter on the oil stain and let it sit for some time. If the patch covers a large area, allow it to sit overnight. Sweep it off with a broom after some time. Grab a brush and detergent to scrub the stained area. Rinse off with water afterward. If the stain is still visible, repeat the process.

↪ Pressure Wash

Pressure washing the oil stain also works well. It is best to act on the patch when it is still fresh. Most driveways are of concrete, which is a porous material. Thus, if an oil stain sits for longer, it can seep inside.

To clean the oil stain, first clear the driveway of any objects. Sweep it with a large utility broom to remove pebbles, grit, and twigs. Select an appropriate driveway detergent. Soak up the patch with an ample amount of it. Start by spreading the detergent evenly to cover the stain completely. Allow it to rest for 20 to 30 minutes to soak up the oil. If the puddle is wider, let the detergent stay overnight.

Set up your pressure washer in the meantime. A hot pressure washer will work better in this case. Hot water breaks down oil and grease to a molecular level. Attach the hose pipe or wand with the pressure washing nozzle. Next, prepare the cleaning agent. Some specific agents work only with pressure washers. Pour an ample amount into the detergent tank or carry it from an external source.

Start applying the detergent to the stain in sweeping strokes. Make sure to cover the area. Overlap each stroke with a couple of inches working in small sections. Let the detergent do its work by breaking down the absorbed oil. Rinse in the same pattern after a while.

↪  Poultice

A poultice is a mass of porous material filled with a solvent. It acts as an excellent stain absorbent. You can make it at home by mixing an absorbent material like sawdust or talc with hot soap water. You can also opt to mix it with a powerful solvent like acetone, xylene, or lacquer thinner.

Pour this mixture on the oil stain and let it set. The solvent breaks down the oil and grease while the absorbent sucks it out of the concrete. Once dry, scrub the area clean with a stiff brush. If the color doesn’t fade away, repeat the process. Poultice takes time to work on the stain. Also, this technique might not work best with large stains.

↪ Coca-Cola 

Funny it might sound, but people have been using coke to clean a plethora of things. Clean up excess oil using an old rag or towel. Alternatively, you can use cat litter to absorb excess grease. Sweep away after some time.

Now, pour a can or two of coca-cola directly over the patch. Let it sit overnight. The strong acids in the coke act on the oil and break it down. In the morning, mix dishwashing liquid or laundry detergent in a pail of warm water. Pour this over the stain. Rinse with plain water afterward. If the patch persists, repeat the process.

↪  Baking Soda

Baking soda is the jack of all trades. It is an excellent odor neutralizer and cleaning agent, readily available at home. You can use it everywhere, whether on a couch, carpet, or a concrete driveway.

Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the oil stain. Let it stay for half an hour. Then, scrub the area with a stiff brush. Rinse with a hosepipe afterward. If the stain persists, use more of it and repeat the process.

Can A Pressure Washer Remove Old Oil Stains From Driveway? 

A pressure washer can readily clean oil stains. A medium to heavy-duty pressure washer can lighten oil stains. It is possible when the patch is relatively fresh. The stubborn oil particles readily wash away due to the high-pressure water.

However, you need to apply a commercial-grade cleaning agent beforehand. These cleaning solutions help to break down oil particles. Post this, a good wash with detergent mixed with water through a pressure washer further removes oil trapped in the pores. Rinse the driveway with plain water afterward to eliminate the detergent that trapped the oil particles. Or Call a Professional Pressure Washing Company.