Technical > Home Improvement > Cleaning oil off of concrete

Cleaning oil off of concrete

The problem is that it isn't on the concrete - it's in it.

Trisodium Phosphate with a little laundry detergent added, will slowly work at it. I don't know the long-term implications of using it, however.

Let it soak for as long as your patience a;lows.

reply to stev32k
A paste made of plain Tide laundry soap (the powdered one) and a little water has worked well for me in the past... Work it in with a stiff brush, let it sit for a couple of hours, the wash it off.

reply to stev32k
Pick up some cheap cat litter and pour some on the stain. Crush and work it into the concrete by walking on it an twisting your shoes. Sweep away. I've done this and it works very well.

reply to stev32k
If it's fresh you can clean it with detergent. and a brush.
If it's old use a powerful degreaser to remove what's at the surface. The spot will come back though, but give it few years and it will slowly fade away.

reply to stev32k

reply to stev32k
I've used a combination of the suggestions made by tcope and LazMan. I start with the cat litter, but use a brick to really grind it into powder so that it can get into the pores of the concrete. Leave it for a day or two so it can work its magic. Once that's swept up, then I use the laundry soap paste. (Dawn dishwashing soap might also work quite well as it has some pretty decent degreasing power).

reply to stev32k
I realize that this might be akin to heresy to suggest this, but... Amway markets a very effective stain remover for oil/grease stains on concrete. At least, they used to. it has been many years since I've seen it used. It's the best stuff I've ever seen. The only problem with it, is getting rid of the Amway salesman afterward. As I remember, it was fairly pricey, compared to other commercial products, but it was remarkable in how well it works. A lot depends upon how long the stain has been there. Old stains are pretty-well imbedded into the concrete and may never completely come out.
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Keep your eye on the ball, your shoulder to the wheel, your nose to the grindstone, and your ear to the ground. Now, try to work in that position!!!

That was/is the biggest problem with Amway - they actually do have some excellent products. It's dealing with the company/sales staff that's the problem!

But I digress...

reply to stev32k
In addition to Tide, Dawn, and Cat Litter, Simple Green also works well.

reply to stev32k
Might as well try citrus.

reply to stev32k
I used a 3100 PSI pressure washer on my concrete walkway.
It cleaned EVERYTHING!

I used a 3100 PSI pressure washer on my asphalt driveway.
It ripped ALL the asphalt (well, joking, I kinda stopped when pieces of asphalt started flying off).

reply to stev32k
Thank you for all for the suggestions. I too have an embedded oil stain in the garage. As soon as it gets warmer (in the spring), I will give these suggestions a shot.
--
Illegal aliens have always been a problem in the United States. Ask any Indian. Robert Orben

reply to cdru

reply to stev32k
try Muriatic Acid if you can find it

reply to stev32k
for tougher stains...floor etcher...the stuff used to prep floors for painting.

reply to stev32k
Sprinkling a dry 1/4" layer of Portland cement on the stain and leaving it for an extended period works very well. You can also make a poultice using mineral spirits with the Portland to make a paste. Apply it to the stain (1/4 to 1/2" thick) and leave that on it until it drys or even longer. Just don't let the Portland get wet or it will harden.

reply to stev32k
Liquid Tide and a brush.

When done hose it off.

reply to Wheezer