Remove oil stains with WD-40. WD-40 is a multi-purpose solvent with at least 2,000 listed uses. Since WD-40 has the ability to remove grease, you can use it on driveways that have oil stains. Although WD-40 is a chemical, it won't damage the surface of the driveway in any way.
The most common specialty oil remover is the degreaser simple green. While simple green is only effective at removing fresh oil stains from concrete, it's pretty gentle on outdoor concrete and can be applied to large areas.
Vinegar will remove mild oil stains from concrete. You might be able to remove even the deepest oil stains if you mix vinegar with dish or laundry soap. To do this, mix half a cup of vinegar with soap and water. Pour the mixture onto the concrete and sprinkle it with sawdust.
Coke is also a wonderful tool for removing old motor oil stains. First, pour a can of Coke over the stained area, then leave it overnight, allowing Coke's high acidity time to gradually eat away at the stain.
With an old oil stain, you'll need a stronger approach. Start by making a paste with baking soda and water. Next, cover the entire stain with the paste. Leave it for 30 minutes, then use your scrub brush to work the mixture deep into the concrete.
For stubborn existing oil stains, you'll need a degreaser. These powerful, concentrated cleaners remove ingrained dirt, grease and oil deposits, and most automotive fluids without damaging the surface. And, best of all, they work fast. All degreasers will have application instructions for you to follow.
Use Baking Soda to Remove Oil Stains From Concrete
Sprinkle the baking soda on the stain. A big stain requires the whole box. Let it sit for about 15 minutes or more.
If the stain is old, you will need a more forceful strategy: make a paste of baking soda and water. Spread the paste to cover the old stain. Let it sit for 30 minutes and then scrub the stain hard with your stiff brush or broom. If you don't have enough baking soda, use powdered laundry detergent.
Pressure washers
Using a medium- to heavy-duty pressure washer can remove or lighten oil stains on your concrete driveway if the spill is relatively new. First, apply a commercial-grade cleaner to the oil stain and scrub with a brush or broom. Then add detergent to your pressure washer and begin spraying.
Muriatic acid: Muriatic acid is a form of hydrochloric acid used for etching concrete. As muriatic acid etches concrete, it can also etch away oil stains in the process.
Oil will break down the sealant/finish on the top layer and seep into the tiny pores of the concrete, creating a permanent stain, if not taken care of. It's best to take care of even a minor stain, right away!
If a car has left an oil stain on your driveway or in your garage, some room-temperature Coca-Cola will do the trick. Pour a can or two of soda on the stain and let it sit for several hours (or overnight). Then wipe away what you can and rinse away the rest.
First, cover the oil stain in clay cat litter, letting it sit for several hours (or overnight if it's a heavy stain.) Then sweep up the cat litter and pour liquid dish soap over the stain to break up the grease. Let it soak up for at least an hour, then use a wire scrub brush and clean the stain in a circular motion.
Those spilled fluids may be unsightly, but they may not be permanent. If the cleaning tips outlined above don't fully remove the stain, you may want to consider a professional cleaner to do the job.
You can remove small oil stains from concrete with detergent or vinegar and a scrub brush. If that doesn't work, you can use an absorbent material like cat litter to absorb oil. Then, use a commercial concrete cleaner or degreaser and rinse thoroughly.
Unfortunately, concrete oil stains in the garage or on the driveway are an eyesore and can be hard to remove. Pour-N-Restore® Oil Stain Remover is the most effective oil stain remover for your garage, deck, and driveway marked with transmission fluid stains, food grease stains, cooking oil stains and more.
If you notice an oil stain or grease mark on your stonework, the first thing to do is try good old washing-up liquid. Squirt it on neat; it's cheap, so don't hold back. Then give it a good scrub with a stiff brush, a washing-up brush, or a nail brush is ideal.
Many reports indicate that over the long-term, oil does damage concrete. Petroleum products contain sulfur, and when that seeps into concrete it combines with other molecules in the foundation to create acids. These acids destabilize the concrete matrix. Food oils also cause damage to concrete.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
Cleaning concrete with vinegar or baking soda is a good option if you are looking for a natural cleaner. While cleaning concrete with bleach or detergent can be effective, it can also be toxic to plants.
The multi-purpose solvent is listed has over 2,000 uses and removing oil from your driveway is certainly one of them. The great thing about WD40 is that although it is chemical-based, no harm will be done to the surface of your driveway.
White vinegar and a little scrubbing with a brush is a very effective, eco-friendly way to remove rust stains from concrete—even those that are decades old. Pour the white vinegar directly onto the stain, allow the liquid to penetrate the area for 20 minutes, and scrub with a stiff-bristled brush.