How to Remove Oil Stains from Concrete Driveway and Garage

Last Updated: August 2, 2022 References

Nothing is quite as frustrating as pulling your car out of the driveway and noticing a big oil stain right where you were parked. Not only are you looking at car repairs, you have an unsightly stain to deal with too! Here are a couple ways to handle that.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Kitty Litter

1
The tried and true approach. Kitty litter does a great job for both cats and concrete because it's highly absorbent.
2
Go for the cheapest. When it comes to kitty litter cleanup, you do not want the expensive, clumping kind. You want the inexpensive kind that happens to be super absorbent.^{[1]
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3
Spread the litter. Use a generous amount, and completely cover the oil stain.
4
Patience is a virtue. Wait for a bit, and give the litter a chance to work. If it's just a little bit, 10 to 15 minutes should be enough. For bigger spills, let it sit a couple hours, or even overnight.^{[2]
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5
Crush the litter. Using your grubby shoes, crush the litter on the oil, breaking it up and grinding it into the oily spot, like a scrub brush. When you're done scrunching, sweep up and discard the dirty litter.
6
Replace the oil with elbow grease. Using a concentrated detergent and a stiff brush, scrub the area in a circular motion. Be vigorous where the oil is, and then continue scrubbing beyond the spill, with a lighter touch. This will even out the difference between the scrubbed area and the rest of your driveway.^{[3]
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Rinse and repeat. After you've scrubbed, rinse away the detergent, and check to see how well the litter and detergent and your elbows have done their job.
- If it looks good, clean up, and call it a day.
- If it's still too stained, use more detergent and scrub more.
8
Be aware that if the oil sat too long on the concrete, the stain may need up to a year to totally fade.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Product

1
Prepare the area. Sweep the area to be cleaned and treated free from dirt and debris, and make sure the surface is dry before application.
2
Apply the commercial stain remover.^{[4]
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3
Let the product sit. Follow the manufacturer's direction to determine how long you let the product sit on the stain.
4
Clean and finish. Some products require rinsing, some just rinse away with rain and time. Use whichever method your product calls for. Stubborn stains may require additional applications of product, or even a different solution entirely.

Expert Q&A

Question

What is the fastest way to get oil out of concrete?

Alessandra Mendes
Cleaning Specialist
Alessandra Mendes is a Cleaning Specialist and the Founder of Cleaning Glow. With ten years of experience, Alessandra and her team specialize in providing residential cleaning services in the San Francisco Bay Area. All members of the Cleaning Glow team have completed thorough background checks.

Alessandra Mendes

Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

The best method for removing oil stains is to purchase a degreaser. Generally you pour it over the stain, wait for it to dry, then vacuum up any powder. Some products are as easy as spraying, waiting, and rinsing.
Question

What is the name of a commercial cleaner I can use?

Community Answer

Fels Napa -- it's great for greasy surfaces like onions. It's a soap that is made to break down greasy surfaces.
Question

What is TSP?

Community Answer

Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) is a very good cleaner. It can be found in the paint department at pretty much any hardware store.

Warnings

Never use gasoline or other highly flammable substance to clean oil spills. One spark could have disastrous consequences.

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