How to Clean an Oil Spill in the Basement

Spilled oil is a messy business.

Whether it's an oil lubricant from a basement workshop or fuel oil from a ruptured oil tank, spilled oil is a messy business. Small oil spills can be cleaned up easily if they're attended to quickly. Large spills that pour into a drain or reach the soil in other ways need to be cleaned by a professional, licensed specialist. In those cases, your state's environmental authorities should be contacted as soon as possible so they can assess the risk to groundwater.

Things You'll Need

• Oil cleanup compound or kitty litter
• Broom
• Dust pan
• Bucket
• Liquid dish soap
• Water
• Scrub brush
• Wet vacuum
• Rags

Instructions

1. Pour oil-cleaning compound over the spilled oil. If the oil is still pooling, pour the cleaning compound in a circle around the spill so that the oil can't escape and contaminate the ground water. Let the cleaning compound set long enough to soak up all of the standing oil.

2. Sweep the contaminated compound into a dustpan with a broom, then discard it in a bucket. Pour a thin layer of fresh oil-cleaning compound over the stained area and grind it into the floor with your heel. Sweep this up as well, and put it in the bucket.

3. Spray liquid dish soap on the remaining stain, along with a small amount of water. Scrub the area with a scrub brush. The oil should lift off the floor and mix with the dish soap and water.

4. Vacuum the area with a vacuum designed to pick up liquids. Wipe up any remaining water with rags.

Tips & Warnings

• Dispose of the contaminated oil cleaning compound at a place that can handle oils. If the compound is thrown away with the regular garbage, it could leach into the ground water.

• Large spills should be contained as quickly as possible. Open windows and doors to provide ventilation and then use fans to push the vapors out of the building. Contact a cleaning service immediately, as well as your county or state environmental authorities.

References

• Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection: Homeowner Oil Spill Clean Up Guide
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services: Home Heating Oil Spills
• Ask The Builder: Oil Spills on Pavement