Help: How to Clean Up Motor Oil on My Lawn

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Things You'll Need

  • Shovel

  • Wheelbarrow

Be careful not to drip oil on your lawn when changing oil or oiling squeaky wheels.

Motor oil from your lawn tools can sometimes drip onto your lawn. A few drops here and there won't affect your plants, but if you have a large leak or if you spill a lot of motor oil on your lawn, it can harm your soil and kill your plants. You'll need to remove the oil as soon as possible by shoveling it away. You may tear up your lawn a bit in the process, but you'll save your soil from long-term damage.

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Step 1

Press a shovel into the ground to remove the top 4 inches of dirt along with any sand and spilled oil. You will have to remove the grass in this process.

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Step 2

Place the dirt, oil and sand into a wheelbarrow and discard the contents.

Step 3

Reseed or resod the lawn as necessary to blend the area with the rest of the yard.

Tip

Prevent spills by oiling parts and changing oil only in your garage or on your driveway. Use a dripless spout on your oil can.

Warning

Check with your waste disposal service to find out the best way to dispose of oil-soaked grass. In some areas, it may be illegal to dispose of it in the trash can.

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