How to Remove Oil from a Driveway?

Want to remove oil from your driveway? See the following tips.

Resin bound surfaces are oil resistant but that doesn't mean that they cannot be stained. Constant usage of your car on your driveway increases the likelihood of your driveway being stained with an oil, transmission fluid, petrol, or diesel spill. Such spillages can make for unsightly blemishes that impact the beauty of your driveway.

The good news is that we have tips to help you clean oil off the driveway. It must be said that choosing the appropriate driveway oil stain remover is the first step towards getting the unwanted stain off your driveway. Unfortunately, sometimes, household detergents simply do not work the magic. You may need special driveway cleaners to remove oil from driveway.

Helpful Tips for Removing Oil Stains from Driveway

• If you are working on a sloped driveway, start from the highest point to clean and then work your way down to the base.

• Be careful when using certain cleaners, especially near plants as some may be potentially harmful to vegetation.

• Use household supplies first to remove stains and only use a special oil cleaner if the household detergent is unable to remove the stain.

• Use the appropriate method for each stain.

• Be sure not to use concentrated chemicals on your resin driveway surface so that the surface will not be damaged.

• Additionally, oil is flammable. Therefore, ensure you properly discard materials such as rags or paper that can come in contact with the oil.

What You'll Need to Remove Oil Stains from Driveway?

Equipment / Tools

• Heavy-duty scrub brush or stiff nylon brush

• Bucket

• Hand gloves

Materials

• Cat litter

• Baking soda

• Dish soap

• Powdered laundry detergent

• WD-40

Using Household Products as Driveway Oil Stain Remover

You can use household supplies such as cat litter, baking soda, dish soap, and even laundry detergent to get oil stains off your driveway.

Here is how to go about it.

• First, absorb all excess oil on the resin bound surface. You can use cat litter, sawdust, sand, cornmeal, cornstarch or baking soda. They all have ultra-absorbent properties. In the case of cat litter, sprinkle it on the oil and let it stay for some time to properly absorb the oil.

• Next is to use a scrub brush to scrub the surface of the driveway. Sprinkle some baking soda or powdered laundry detergent. Add some warm water to form a paste and then scrub for about two minutes. You may also use vinegar, cola, or dish soap if you do not have baking soda. Baking soda however is very effective. It Is an alkali and is effective in dissolving grease and dirt.

• Finally, wash it away with soap and water. Be very generous with the water as a way of getting rid of all materials used on the driveway surface. Dish soap is effective as it is formulated to cut grease and if the stain is quite stubborn, you can always use a heavy-duty brush and scrub vigorously.

Using Laundry Detergent to Clean Oil Off a Driveway

You can use a powdered laundry detergent to get rid of oil stains from your driveway.

• Sprinkle powdered laundry detergent over the spillage and apply enough warm water until a paste is formed.

• Use your stiff nylon brush to scrub the surface for about two minutes and allow it for about 15 minutes.

• Scrub the surface again and use water to rinse away the detergent.

Using a Wd-40 to Get Rid of Oil on a Driveway

WD-40 is a blend of lubricants that can prevent rust, unstick stubborn parts, and quiet squeaky hinges. They can also be used to clean oil from a concrete driveway surface. The procedure is as follows;

• Apply WD-40 onto the oil stain on your driveway ensuring that the entire area is well-covered with the lubricant

• Use a heavy-duty scrub brush to scrub the stain until it is clean.

• Rinse the area with enough water

• In a case where some oil remains, you can apply baking soda or cat litter to soak up the oil. Allow it to remain for about an hour and then sweep up the litter or baking soda. Use water to rinse the area.

If you can follow these tips, you will be able to remove oil from your driveway and ensure that your driveway remains in good condition. Appropriate maintenance of your modern resin driveway will ensure that it stands the test of time.

Reach out to us via our helplines for further information on resin bound surfacing maintenance or for other resin driveway enquiries.