If you get oil stains on your garage floor, you probably want some tips on how to remove them. If you don’t act quickly, oil spots can soak in and can be nearly impossible to get rid of.
Luckily, there are a few things you can try, even if you don’t catch them right away.
Since the oil will have had time to soak into the pores, it will be relatively set. Trying a few different methods is your best bet with this issue.
Removing Oil Stains From Your Garage Floor: Basic Idea
There are a few different ways to remove old oil stains from your garage floor. Trying them one at a time can give you the best chance at making it work.
These methods include:
- Use a concentrated soap solution
- Use vinegar
- Spread cat litter
- Use a concrete degreaser
How to Prevent Oil Stains
The best way to prevent oil stains is to make sure your car doesn’t leak in the first place.
If you are noticing oil spots, take a look under your vehicle and see if you can spot the leak. If you can’t take your car into the shop and let them know what is going on.
If you can’t get your car into the shop right away, lay a tarp under the car when you park. Make sure that there are no holes and no places for the oil to leak through.
Making sure that your car is in good condition is your best defense. Keeping any leaks at bay will ensure that your garage floor stays clean.
Concentrated Soap
If the stain is relatively new, you can try removing it with concentrated soap.
Some soaps come in concentrated forms that have to be watered down. If you don’t water them down, they can be powerful enough to remove oil stains from concrete.
One of the things you need to be careful with when using concentrated soap is fumes.
Most concentrated soaps aren’t meant to be used without being watered down. They can release dangerous fumes when used in full concentration.
Vinegar
Vinegar is an excellent, all-purpose cleaner when it is properly used and properly diluted.
Vinegar works by breaking down stains. It will not be able to penetrate into the cement, though.
Simply apply the vinegar and let it sit for 30-40 minutes. Then mop it up with a squeegee or mop.
Cat Litter
Cat litter is one of the best removers of oil stains on concrete.
It has an absorbent quality that is perfect for this kind of job. It will actually pull the oil up out of the cement and soak it up.
One of the reasons oil is so difficult to remove from cement is the fact that it is porous. The oil soaks down into the pores and won’t come up with standard mopping.
Concrete Degreaser
There are a number of concrete degreasers available on the market. These are designed to be used for this specific job.
Degreasers work by breaking up the oils and turning them into a completely liquid form. Because of this, they can then be mopped up without spreading.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does WD 40 remove oil stains from concrete?
WD 40 is technically a degreaser, but it may not be right for this particular job.
This is because you will generally need more volume than would be practical. If you want to use a degreaser, an industrial variety is your best bet.
- Does Coca Cola remove oil stains from concrete?
Coca Cola will remove oil stains from concrete, but only if it is fresh. It may not be as effective as some of the other options we have laid out above.
- Will a pressure washer remove oil from concrete?
One of the issues with using a pressure washer to remove oil from concrete is that oil and water don’t mix.
Because of this, you may just end up pushing the oil around. You won’t be able to completely remove it with a pressure washer alone.
Conclusion
Oil stains on concrete can be a frustrating problem. However, if you know the best ways to get rid of it, you can go back to your clean garage floor.
Trying all of the above methods can help. Each of them will offer their own level of oil removal and you should be able to find one that works.