How to Clean Motor Oil Off of the Driveway

Keep your driveway oil-stain free.

Vehicles can leak motor oil onto driveways, causing unsightly stains. Motor oil can even cause damage, depending on the driveway's surface. The sooner the oil stains are cleaned from the driveway, the less difficult they are to remove. Fortunately, fresh and old motor oil stains are removed from driveway surfaces using basic cleaning solutions and supplies. Oil stains should be absorbed, then scrubbed clean.

Things You'll Need

• Kitty litter
• Shop broom
• Dustpan
• Liquid dish soap
• Water
• Nylon-bristle scrub brush
• Paper towels

Instructions

1. Pour a 1/4-inch layer of kitty litter over the motor oil stain. Sweep over with a shop broom to grind the kitty litter into the oil spot.

2. Allow the kitty litter to absorb into the oil spot for one hour. Sweep up the oil-soaked litter with the broom into a dustpan, and then dispose of the mess in a certified landfill.

3. Squirt liquid dish soap onto the oil stain. Spray water onto the stain and the area surrounding the oil.

4. Scrub the stained driveway with a nylon-bristle scrub brush until the oil is removed. Blot up the dirty soap solution with paper towels, and then dispose of the paper towels in a certified landfill.

Tips & Warnings

• A mixture of cornstarch and baking soda can be used instead of kitty litter.

• Never use a wire brush to scrub a driveway, as it can erode and scar the driveway.

References

• Ask the Builder: Cleaning Concrete Oil Spots
• HowToCleanStuff.net: How to Clean a Driveway