How to Get Oil Spills Off Driveway

How to Remove Oil Stains from a Driveway

From working on your car to your car leaking unexpectedly, oil spills on your driveway can give you a bit of a headache.

Once you’ve fixed your car and made it safe again, you’re going to have to remove the unsightly oil stains from your drive. Not only do the stains spoil the look of your drive, but oil can also be a hazard to wildlife, and your own health and safety too.

Whether you’re removing a fresh oil spill from your drive or need to get rid of an old stain using a hot pressure washer, Speedy has all the tips (and tools) you need to get the job done.

 

How to remove a fresh oil spill

If your oil spill is new, say you’ve knocked over the can, then you need to act quickly to absorb the spill before removing any staining.

Luckily, household objects can come in handy here.

You need something absorbent. Cat litter is ideal, as it is relatively cheap to use in bulk. Otherwise, baking soda, flour, or powdered laundry detergent can help absorb the oil.

When oil is involved, always wear gloves, protective clothing, eye protection, a mask, and work boots.

 

1. Remove excess oil

Start by removing the excess oil spill. Absorbent powders or similar can help soak up the oil, making it easier to collect.

Cat litter is ideal. Any type of plain flour, powder, or other absorbent material such as sand and sawdust, will also work.

Once the oil has been absorbed, use an old shovel to collect the waste into waste bags which can be disposed of. Wear gloves, work boots, and safety clothing, as well as eye and breathing protection, when working with oil.

 

2. Clean

Use a hot pressure washer to blast away the remaining oil traces. A hot pressure washer uses really warm water to break down dirt and grime more efficiently than a cold-water pressure washer, which means it is great for oil and other similar tough dirt.

It can separate the oil from the concrete, and the force means less exertion for you.

Try to work out which direction to go in. Work towards a drain or other collection point and clean one stage at a time.

Protect plants and other sensitive areas from the oil. Remember to wear PPE, including protective clothing, eye protection, gloves, and work boots, when working with a pressure washer.

 

How to remove dried oil from a driveway

Dried oil can be removed using a hot pressure washer too. Depending on how dried in and stubborn the stain is, however, you may need to try and bring it out if it has soaked in.

 

1. Scrub the stain

If the stain has soaked in because your driveway material is absorbent, you need to encourage the stain to rise.

A paste of baking soda and warm water is ideal. Use a stiff brush to work the paste into the stain, before rinsing away with water.

You can also make a paste with laundry detergent if you have this to hand. Repeat the process until visibly faded.

 

2. Blast away the remaining dirt

Hopefully, the mix of the paste and the scrubbing means the oil has loosened and will now be easier to remove.

Now is the time to use the hot pressure washer to get rid of the stain. This will break down any remaining oil on the driveway, and ensure it is removed.

 

Other options to try

Depending on the material of your driveway, how old the oil stain is, and what oil was used, you may need to try something else to get the final remnants out of your driveway.

You may also not own a cat or want to use expensive laundry powder on the stain. The below methods work well too.

 

• Dish soap

Pour a generous amount of dish soap onto the stain and add a small amount of water. Work the soap into a lather, adding more water if needed, with a stiff yard brush, then scrub the area.

The dish soap helps to loosen grease and oil particles. Rinse with water, and repeat until the stain fades, before using the hot pressure washer again.

 

• WD40

Most toolboxes will have some WD40 present. It is great for squeaky hinges, loosening stubborn stiffness, and getting rid of rust.

It is also good to use to break down oil, as the solvents loosen the molecules. Just spray the area generously with the oil, allow it to soak for between 5 and 30 minutes (depending on how tough the stain is), and then scrub.

Once the stain is lifted, the hot water from your pressure washer will be able to break down and wash away all product and oil.

 

 

READY FOR MORE CLEANING TIPS?

Hopefully, your driveway will soon be oil-free with our handy tips and the use of a hot pressure washer.

If you want more tips for your pressure washer hire, read our How-To Clean a Patio with a Pressure Washer blog.

Just open a Speedy account online or visit us in-store for all your tool hire needs.

Speedy has more than 200 local service centres across the nation, hire counters in selected B&Qs and nationwide 4-hour delivery. It has never been easier to hire the tools and equipment you need.

 

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