Did you pull out of your driveway and notice an oil stain under your car? This is more than just an annoyance; it can also be a real problem! Not only do oil-stained driveways detract from the look of your home, if you live in a deed-restricted area, your homeowner’s association might also complain. Luckily, it’s easy and inexpensive to remove oils spots from your driveway. The best method to use depends on how fresh the stains are and how large of an area has been affected.
1. Start with Kitty Litter
The first step to removing a fresh oil stain is to soak up the liquid oil that’s still on the surface. Even if a stain is a few weeks or a month old, it could still have some moisture in it, so don’t skip this important step.
To remove the oil, simply apply a layer of kitty litter over the stain and let it sit. Small, fresh stains are usually soaked up within 20 minutes. However, if the stain has been there for a while or covers a large surface area, leave it overnight. Then, sweep up the litter and discard it. If the area is still moist, repeat the process again.
When purchasing the litter, look for the most basic, inexpensive kind you can find. Higher-quality litters usually contain perfumes and clumping agents that aren’t helpful for this use.
2. Clean with Detergent or Dish Soap
Many times, it’s easy to remove oil stains with dish soap or laundry detergent. Start by applying Dawn dish soap directly to the stain, then adding water and scrubbing with a scrub brush. If this doesn’t work, cover the stain with a layer of powdered laundry soap (Tide works well), then add a bit of water to make a paste and use the brush to scrub it into the stain. Rinse the area thoroughly when you’re done.
3. Use a Concrete Cleaner or Degreaser
A concrete cleaner or degreaser is a concentrated alkaline soap designed for removing tough stains. This is more effective on fresh oil stains and works better on porous concrete rather than on driveways with a hard or dense finish. To use this, simply follow the instructions on the packaging.
4. Try Making a Poultice
Small, tough stains can sometimes be removed with a poultice. This is done by mixing an absorbent with a strong solvent. Good options for absorbents include baking soda or sawdust, while the best solvents are often acetone, lacquer thinner or xylene. Mix the two together and apply the poultice to the stain. Then cover it with plastic, and let it sit. It works by breaking up the oil and sucking it out of the concrete. This method can be time-consuming but is often very effective when other methods have failed.
Oil Leaks Could Also Mean Problems for Your Vehicle!
If your vehicle is leaking oil, your driveway isn’t your only problem. Oil leaks left untreated can cause damage to your vehicle’s rubber hoses and could even lead to an engine fire!
Don’t take a chance on causing major damage to your vehicle. At Valley Automall, we’ll inspect your vehicle and repair the oil leak. Book your appointment today! Give us a call at 702-570-2257 or contact us online to schedule service today.