How to Clean Oil Off an Asphalt Driveway

Remove oil from asphalt with liquid laundry detergent.

Oil spills on asphalt driveways normally occur when oil leaks from a car's engine, or when adding oil. Asphalt has a porous surface that absorbs liquids like oil resulting in stains. Most asphalt driveways are sealed once a year to provide a barrier for stains and to keep the asphalt from drying out and crumbling. Even with the sealer, stains occur and need removed quickly to ensure a clean driveway.

Things You'll Need

• Sweeping compound Broom Dust pan Liquid detergent or trisodium phosphate Scrub brush or stiff-bristle broom Garden hose or bucket Rubber gloves Protective eyewear Bleach

Instructions

1. Sprinkle sweeping compound on the oil on the asphalt driveway. Allow the oil to absorb into the compound for 20 minutes. Sweep the compound with a broom into a dust pan and discard.

2. Pour 2 tbsp. of liquid detergent or trisodium phosphate on the oil stains. Scrub the stains with a wet scrub brush, or a stiff-bristle broom. Hose the detergent from the asphalt with a garden hose or buckets of water.

3. Put on rubber gloves and protective eye-wear. Pour bleach into a spray bottle. Spray left over oil stains with the bleach. Scrub the bleach into stains and rinse with buckets of water or a garden hose.

Tips & Warnings

• When using a driveway cleaner, ensure the cleaner is used specifically for asphalt and not concrete. Concrete cleaners can damage asphalt. Cover vegetation with a tarp or other covering along the driveway, as the bleach run-off kills grass or plants.

References

• Home Tips: Remove Oil Stains From an Asphalt Driveway