When several vehicles are coming and going, parking on your driveway and just normal wear and tear, you will most likely have an oil stain at some point. Not only are they unsightly, but they can be a danger as they are very slippery when the surface is wet. There are several ways that homeowners can work to remove these stains. Big Moose Pressure Cleaning is here to share some DIY tips.
How to Get Old Oil Stains off Driveways Using Common Household Products
You would be surprised how many household items you have around your home that can be helpful when you have an oil stain on your driveway that needs to be removed. Here are the items and how to use them to your benefit.
• Baking Soda– This is a well-known cleaning agent in most houses. Sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda on an oil stain and scrubbing the stain with a stiff bristled brush will help remove the stain. Letting the baking soda sit for about 30 minutes after scrubbing and before rinsing will yield the best results.
• Kitty Litter– Kitty litter can be helpful when removing oil stains. Be sure that the littler is clay-based. Pour a generous amount on the stain and step on it to encourage the litter to soak up excess oil. Leave the kitty litter overnight and sweep the next day.
• Powdered Laundry Detergent– Sprinkle detergent on the stain and add a small amount of water. Using a stiff bristled brush, scrub the surface and then let it stand for 30 minutes before rinsing.
• Dish Soap– The grease cutting agents in dish soap make it a helpful tool in removing oil stains from driveways. Pour dish soap on the stain and use stiff bristled brush to scrub the stain before rinsing.
• Coca Cola– Most of us have seen a glass of coke remove the oxides off pennies. This is because it contains phosphoric acid and we should probably think about what it does to our bodies when we drink it! However, some people swear by pouring a few cans of room-temperature coca cola on the oil stain, and letting it sit overnight. In the morning, you can blot it up with some old rags or towels, and rinse off any remains. Hopefully it hasn’t attracted ants in the meantime!
• WD-40 Spray– Simply spray WD-40 on the oil stain, followed by rinsing it away with warm water.
• Oven Cleaner– Oven cleaner is full of grease cutting power as well as dish soap. Spray this cleaner on the stain and let it stand for 10-15 minutes. Scrub the stain with a stiff bristled brush and then use a hose to rinse it away. While rinsing, you should be using the highest pressure possible to remove the stain.
Exterior Driveway Cleaning, Pressure Washing, Dustless Sandblasting & More in McDonough, Barnesville, Fayetteville, Covington, Locust Grove & Griffin Georgia
If you have tried some or all of these options and you still can’t remove the stain, or you don’t want to waste your time; call in the professionals. The expert technicians at Big Moose Pressure Cleaning have the training and resources to dissolve the oil stains that are present on your driveway. It is important to abide by any safety laws that are required in Georgia as you remove any oil from the driveway surface. Because these stains can be slick when wet, it is important to work to remove them as quickly as possible. Call us today for more information on our grease & oil stain removal and other quality exterior cleaning and surface preparation services.
