An oil leak or spillage isn’t just a problem for your car or vehicle, but it doesn’t do your driveway any good either. Those drops and splotches make for unsightly stains that distract from a nice, tidy looking home and front garden. Removing oil stains from a driveway doesn’t have to be an arduous task, however, and can easily be rectified with a number of household products. For driveways on an include, start at the highest point and work your way down so the water gets the chance to run and residue doesn’t flow over parts you’ve already covered. And make sure to keep an eye out for nearby plants and landscaping when using cleaners.
How to remove oil stains from your driveway
Common household products such as cat litter, baking soda, washing up liquid and even laundry detergent are excellent tools for tackling oil stains.
For this method, use cat litter as its ultra-absorbent properties make it great for removing the oil in the stain.
Start by soaking up any excess oil sitting on the surface of your concrete driveway.
Sprinkle cat litter over a fresh stain and let it do its job before scooping away and disposing of the cat litter.
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Keep in mind that tough driveway materials like concrete and asphalt can easily withstand heavy scrubbing.
Don’t shy away from using a bit of elbow grease and a heavy-duty brush to really get rid of the oil stain.
Another method to clean the driveway is by using laundry powder, which is inexpensive and ideal for this task.
Sprinkle powdered washing detergent over the oil spill, and carefully apply enough warm water over the powder to form a paste.
Scrub the spot with a stiff nylon brush for approximately two minutes, and let it sit and absorb for about 15 minutes.
Scrub the spot for another minute, then rinse away the laundry detergent with clean and warm water.
If neither of these tips work because the stain is more stubborn, get to a DIY store or auto shop to get a specialist cleaner.
Some concrete cleaners and oil stain removers are formulated to be diluted before application, but can also be used full strength for tough stains, so carefully read the label and see what suits you best.