How to Remove Grease and Oil Stains from Concrete? With Natural Household Cleaner or Degreaser?

Grease and oil stains can leave unsightly marks on concrete surfaces of your driveway, patio, or garage floor. These stubborn marks sometimes are a bit of a challenge to be removed, so choosing the right products and methods is important for your success to restore the appearance of your floor, made from this hard material. Continue reading to learn the various techniques of how to remove grease and oil stains from concrete, including the use of household natural cleaners.

Can You Get Oil Stains Out of Concrete?

Your efforts to remove grease and oil stains from concrete really do pay off. However, it requires some diligence and to choose the cleaning method properly. Concrete is porous, which means that oil or grease can seep into its surface, making it harder to remove the stain completely. Nonetheless, with the suitable approach and a little endeavor, you can significantly diminish the appearance of oil stains and restore the concrete’s original look.

What Is the Fastest Way to Remove Oil Stains from Concrete?

It’s essential to act quickly to prevent the spills from setting. Here are some guidelines how to remove grease and oil stains from concrete in the fastest way:

1. Soak up excess oil: Immediately after the spill, cover the stain with an absorbent material such as baking soda, cat litter or sawdust. All these substances will help to absorb the excess oil and prevent it from penetrating further into the concrete.
2. Brush the stains: Use a stiff brush or broom to scrub the stains vigorously. This action is needed to help loosen the oil from the surface of the concrete.
3. Use a degreaser: Apply a concrete degreaser to the stained area. Make sure to wear protective gloves and eyewear before following the instructions on the product label. Let the degreaser sit on the stain for the recommended time.
4. Scrub with a brush: You may also use a broom to scrub the stained area again. The action will break down the oil further and continue the process of lifting it from the concrete.
5. Rinse with water: At last, rinse the area with a hose or pressure washer thoroughly to remove any remaining oil and degreaser residue. Then check the concrete surface to ensure that all cleaning products are properly washed away.

Will Baking Soda Remove Oil Stains on Concrete?

Baking soda is a valuable household substance, which is useful for various cleaning tasks, as well as to remove grease and oil stains from concrete. Here are the steps how you should do this effectively:

1. Mix your soda-water paste: Pour some water into a little amount of baking soda till you receive a thick paste with a consistency, similar to that of a toothpaste.
2. Apply the paste: Spread the baking soda paste onto the oil or grease stains, ensuring it covers the entire affected area.
3. Allow it to stay: Let the baking soda paste sit on the stain for at least 30 minutes or longer. This will give the baking soda enough time to penetrate in the oil and break it down.
4. Rub off the affected area: Take a stiff brush or broom with which to scrub the stained area vigorously. The abrasive nature of baking soda will help to lift the oil from the concrete surface.
5. Rinse with water: Finish your scrubbing and then rinse the area with water thoroughly to remove the baking soda and any remaining oil residue. Repeat the process if necessary until the stain is significantly reduced or completely eliminated.

Does Coca-Cola Remove Grease and Oil Stains from Concrete?

Coca-Cola is not only a tasty drink that enhances your energy and mood. In a number of cases, the popular dark brown fizzy liquid can effectively remove oil or grease stains from concrete due to its acidic properties. While Coca-Cola may help in certain cases, nevertheless, it may be beneficial when it hasn’t been long since the stains appeared. Begin your treatment with Coca-Cola by pouring a generous amount of the liquid directly onto the oil or grease stain. Make sure the affected area is thoroughly saturated. After that, allow the Coca-Cola to sit on the stain for several hours, or even overnight. Its acidity often helps break down the oil or grease. Finally, it’s time to scrub with a sturdy brush the stained area vigorously. Then, rinse the concrete surface with water to remove the Coca-Cola and any remaining oil. For more stubborn or deeply ingrained oil stains, you should use a degreaser or other specialized cleaning methods.

With adopting preventive measures, such as sealing the concrete surface, you can minimize the chances of appearing stains or at least make future cleaning easier.

Read also: Concrete driveway pavers vs stamped concrete driveway

And: DIY Concrete Paver Walkway: Decorate the Yard with Your Own Smart Path Creation!