How to Get Oil Stains Off of a Driveway

An oil spill on the driveway is an eyesore that can be difficult to remove. No amount of pressure washing or scrubbing alone seems to help. Cars that leak or accidents during oil changes can create the dreaded black spot that won't seem to give up its chosen spot on the concrete. Fortunately, as stubborn as this stain is, it can be lifted with a little time and patience.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Kitty litter Broom Powdered laundry detergent Newspaper Wire brush

1. Wipe up as much of the oil as possible with newspaper or old cloths.

2. Pour kitty litter on the stain and cover it completely and cover it with newspaper.

3. Allow the kitty litter to sit on the stain overnight.

4. Sweep up the kitty litter and discard it.

5. Cover the stain with laundry powder detergent.

6. Pour water lightly onto the detergent. The detergent should be dampened, not washed away so don't use too much water. The detergent and water should form a paste.

7. Cover the detergent with newspaper and leave it to sit overnight.

8. Remove most of the detergent paste leaving only a thing coating with a broom or an old cloth.

9. Add more water to the paste and scrub the area with a wire brush.

10. Rinse the area with clean water and allow it to air dry.

Tips & Warnings

• For small spots of oil, spray the area with WD-40 and wipe up after a minute with a dry cloth. Place kitty litter or cardboard under a leaking car to prevent oil stains on the driveway.
• Avoid using gasoline or anything that may cause a static spark while scrubbing with it.