How to Properly Remove Oil from Concrete
Got a handyman or woman who's always tinkering with the car in the garage? Or are you that person? While cheaper than going to an auto shop, this useful pastime can lead to a build-up of oils after years of saturation.
Methods for cleaning oil off of concrete vary depending upon whether or not the stain is old and set or fresh. Fortunately, the generally smoother surface of most concrete garages makes them easier to clean than a driveway. Recent spills should be blotted with paper towels as much as possible. Another option, for cat owners, is to use cat litter to absorb the oil, initially. This can be especially helpful if you need to keep working in the area and can't fully access the spill.
After a sufficient amount has been absorbed, remove the cat litter or paper towels. Next squirt dishwashing liquid directly on the oil stain, add enough water to spread it so that it covers the entire spot and no more. With a scrub brush, scrub the area until it's foamy. Note: do not use a wire brush, as this may damage your garage's surface. Let the soap suds soak in the spot for 10 minutes. Use paper towels or fresh cat litter to absorb this soap/oil mixture. To properly dispose of this, check your trash removal company's or agency's website for advice.
It the stain is older, skip the cat litter and paper towel blotting and go straight to the scrubbing part. There are cleaners such as E&B Green Solutions' G-Clean Heavy Duty Degreaser, which are specifically formulated to clean oil from concrete. After you've cleaned the concrete, seal it to make cleaning it easier. Concrete sealers dry, clear and help to block liquids before they have a chance to enter your concrete, but do not inhibit breathing.
Other options for cleaning oil spills include kerosene, lacquer thinners, and applying a mild solution of muriatic acid. The problem with these is that while kerosene and lacquer thinners can be somewhat effective on smooth concrete, they are flammable and pose safety hazards, especially in enclosed areas. Muriatic acid can be applied in the following ratio: one part acid to 10 parts water and can help remove the stain. The downside of this method is it can attack your concrete's surface.
What about larger spills?
An oil company needed to clean an oil-fouled portion of an 11,000 square foot area, in order to comply with state regulators. Mineral spirits had been tried, but failed to generate more than limited results. The oil was approximately 1/8 to 3/16 thick and baked on. The oil company's technicians applied a solution of G-Clean Heavy Duty Degreaser diluted in water at 3500 psi, set at approximately 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Though skeptical after many unsuccessful attempts, the company's technicians saw oil being lifted from the cracks the same day and were able to complete the clean up the next day. One important difference with this product was that the solution did not push the oil around, which can create a slippery surface, making clean up more difficult and time-consuming.
Methods for cleaning oil off of concrete vary depending upon whether or not the stain is old and set or fresh. Fortunately, the generally smoother surface of most concrete garages makes them easier to clean than a driveway. Recent spills should be blotted with paper towels as much as possible. Another option, for cat owners, is to use cat litter to absorb the oil, initially. This can be especially helpful if you need to keep working in the area and can't fully access the spill.
After a sufficient amount has been absorbed, remove the cat litter or paper towels. Next squirt dishwashing liquid directly on the oil stain, add enough water to spread it so that it covers the entire spot and no more. With a scrub brush, scrub the area until it's foamy. Note: do not use a wire brush, as this may damage your garage's surface. Let the soap suds soak in the spot for 10 minutes. Use paper towels or fresh cat litter to absorb this soap/oil mixture. To properly dispose of this, check your trash removal company's or agency's website for advice.
It the stain is older, skip the cat litter and paper towel blotting and go straight to the scrubbing part. There are cleaners such as E&B Green Solutions' G-Clean Heavy Duty Degreaser, which are specifically formulated to clean oil from concrete. After you've cleaned the concrete, seal it to make cleaning it easier. Concrete sealers dry, clear and help to block liquids before they have a chance to enter your concrete, but do not inhibit breathing.
Other options for cleaning oil spills include kerosene, lacquer thinners, and applying a mild solution of muriatic acid. The problem with these is that while kerosene and lacquer thinners can be somewhat effective on smooth concrete, they are flammable and pose safety hazards, especially in enclosed areas. Muriatic acid can be applied in the following ratio: one part acid to 10 parts water and can help remove the stain. The downside of this method is it can attack your concrete's surface.
What about larger spills?
An oil company needed to clean an oil-fouled portion of an 11,000 square foot area, in order to comply with state regulators. Mineral spirits had been tried, but failed to generate more than limited results. The oil was approximately 1/8 to 3/16 thick and baked on. The oil company's technicians applied a solution of G-Clean Heavy Duty Degreaser diluted in water at 3500 psi, set at approximately 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Though skeptical after many unsuccessful attempts, the company's technicians saw oil being lifted from the cracks the same day and were able to complete the clean up the next day. One important difference with this product was that the solution did not push the oil around, which can create a slippery surface, making clean up more difficult and time-consuming.
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