Removing Concrete Oil Stains and Grease Stains

There are a few simple methods to try for removing concrete oil stains and grease stains. Leaky automobiles and dripping grills can leave unsightly spots on your concrete. Getting rid of them is the first step to enhancing your concrete and a must if you plan to paint or stain.

If the stain is fresh and there is still unabsorbed oil on the surface, put down kitty litter or saw dust to soak it up. Clean that up after a few days.

Try houshold bleach first. Dilute it according to the instructions on the container. Pour it on the stain and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Then scrub and rinse with water.

If that doesn't work, sprinkle dishwashing detergent on the stain and scrub with hot water. Repeat this a few times and see what happens.

A last resort for concrete oil stains is tri-sodium phosphate (TSP). This is a powder that is sold in most hardware and home improvement stores. Mix one cup with a gallon of hot water, pour it on the stain and let sit for 15-20 minutes. Then scrub with a stiff bristled brush and rinse with water. Repeat if necessary.

Some longstanding oil stains may never come completely clean. If the TSP doesn't totally remove the stain, don't pull your hair out trying to find something that works. Just learn to live with it.

There is another method for removing concrete oil stains that I haven't tried but some people claim it works. After you soak up the oil with sawdust or kitty litter, spread some dry patching cement over the stain and let it sit for a few days. Then just sweep it up. The cement supposedly draws the stain out of the concrete.

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Removing Concrete Oil Stains and Grease Stains