Despite the stubborn stains on your concrete floors, you should not despair. There are several different ways to remove oil stains. WD-40, Coca-Cola, Baking soda, and a rag will do the trick in a matter of minutes. But do these methods really work? If you do not want to use these methods, here are a few other ideas to remove oil stains from concrete.
You just spent hours pressure washing your concrete driveway and garage floor to remove any dirt, mold and mildew. Now you’re faced with ugly oil stains that are ruining your well-earned manicure. It happens all the time – a car will leak motor oil when driving through a puddle or from a damaged engine. If the oil isn’t cleaned up soon it can stain and permanently damage the concrete surface. Keep your new concrete looking new and stain free by removing those pesky oil stains now!
Alternative solutions to remove oil stains from concrete
You can try baking soda as an alternative solution to remove oil stains from concrete. First, liberally sprinkle baking soda over the stain and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. Then, mix baking soda with dish soap. Scrub with a stiff brush for several minutes. Rinse thoroughly after each scrubbing. Repeat the process as needed until the stain has been removed. This treatment will work wonders.
WD-40
You’ve probably seen ads for products like WD-40 to remove oil stains from your concrete. But how can you use this product to remove concrete stains? WD-40 is a great solvent that can dissolve the oil and break down the stain. However, you need to be aware of its dangers. Using WD-40 on concrete can damage it, so you should clean up spills with old rags or sponges instead.
Coca-Cola
Whether you have a spilled can of Coca-Cola on your driveway or patio, you’ve probably wondered how to remove Coca-Cola stains from your concrete. While the liquid itself does not contain any harmful chemicals, it is incredibly acidic and is perfect for cleaning concrete. While you’re waiting for the stain to dry, use boiling water to dilute it, then apply a layer of baking soda to the spilled Coke.
Baking soda
Whether you have spilled cooking grease on your driveway or patio, you probably know that the stuff can soil and leave unsightly marks on your concrete. Fortunately, baking soda can help remove these stains without harming your concrete. After soaking the stain overnight, simply wipe it clean with a water hose. This method works best for smaller stains. But if you’ve got a larger stain, you may want to use another cleaning method.
Pressure washer
Using a pressure washer can effectively remove oil stains from concrete. Oil stains usually appear on concrete after they have dried out. If you can’t get rid of the oil stain with a pressure washer, you can use a concrete cleaning solution. You need to dilute the cleaning solution and work in small sections, keeping the nozzle several inches from the stain. Once you’ve finished, rinse the area thoroughly with water to remove any remaining residue. To prevent oil stains from occurring, the simplest solution is to avoid spilling oil on the concrete in the first place. If you do, however, have a car, you’ll most likely spill oil on your driveway or sidewalk, and it’s not the end of the world. Using a tarp on the floor will help keep the spill from getting onto the concrete.
Microorganism-based stain removers
There are two types of microbial-based stain removers for concrete. The first one is an environmentally friendly, water-based cleaner. These cleaners contain live microorganisms that eat the oil. Unlike chemical stain removers, these cleaners do not require a bucket or brush.
However, they are a bit slower to work and require daily application of water.
It’s important to remember that concrete is porous and will absorb stains. Concrete can also stain if it’s exposed to acidic materials. This is why we recommend having a professional power wash your concrete before any staining or sealing treatments. We don’t recommend using common household cleaners on concrete as they might leave a residue which could cause problems when using chemical products like staining and sealing products.