Imagine you’re having a nice summer day on your patio with a cold drink when you suddenly notice an unsightly oil stain on the concrete. It looks bad and can ruin the atmosphere of your outdoor area. But don’t worry, because this article is all about getting rid of oil stains. We’ve got you covered, whether it’s from a leaky car or a bottle of cooking oil that got knocked over. So, keep reading if you take pride in keeping your outdoor surfaces clean and looking their best. We’re about to give you some tips and tricks that will make your patio look as good as new in no time.
Oil Stain Causes and Risks
The Risks of Leaving Oil Stains on Outdoor Surfaces
Leaving oil stains on objects outside can be dangerous in a number of ways.
First of all, oil that gets into concrete floors, wooden support beams, cracks, or drains is hard to clean and may need to be demolished and taken away.
Second, oil spills can cause health problems like dizziness, swelling of the eyes, nose, or throat, nausea, high blood pressure, or other problems with the blood.
Third, oil spills can cause fires, so all sources of burning should be kept away from the area.
Removing Oil Stains from Outdoor Surfaces
Oil marks on outdoor surfaces can be hard to get rid of, but there are a few ways that can work.
Here are some ways to get rid of oil spots on various surfaces:
Concrete Surfaces
Cat litter, baking soda, and powdered soap can be used to soak up oil on concrete surfaces before scrubbing the surface with a concrete cleaner or degreaser.
Concrete surfaces with tough spots can also be cleaned by a professional service.
You can use things from around the house, like WD-40, baking soda, or cat litter, to get rid of oil spots on concrete.
It’s important to treat the stain while it’s still wet, because oil can get into the smallest cracks in porous materials and come back to the surface after the stain has been treated.
It’s also not a good idea to cover an oil stain with cement sealer or paint, as this can make the stain come back and lower the property’s value and desirability.
Concrete surfaces can also be hurt by power washing, especially if it’s done too often or with too much water pressure.
This can make the surface look bad and make it more likely to get broken or stained again.
When using soap to get rid of stains or marks, it is best to use a smaller nozzle.
Asphalt Surfaces
Oil marks can be harder to get rid of from asphalt surfaces.
On an otherwise nice concrete surface, mulch and oil stains can be distracting.
Oil spots on asphalt can be taken care of by a professional cleaning service.
It is important to fix the problem as soon as possible so that the oil doesn’t get under the surface and cause damage that can’t be fixed.
Car Exteriors
Getting oil spots off the outside of a car can also be hard.
For proper cleaning, you might need to buy expensive cleaning products and rub the car a lot, which could damage the paint.
Using a clay bar or melamine foam is the best way to remove any spot from a car’s paint surface.
Clay bar kits generally cost at least $30, but melamine foam is much cheaper and easier to work with.
Tips for Cleaning Outdoor Surfaces
When cleaning outdoor surfaces, like patio furniture, it is best not to use acid, solvent, or alcohol-based cleaners or brushes or pads that are too rough and could scratch the surface.
The surface should be cleaned with a wet microfiber or soft cloth, and most stains can be removed with water and regular dishwashing liquid soap.
Oil Stain Removal Process
Blotting the Area
If the oil mark is new, the first thing to do to get rid of it is to blot the area with rags or paper towels.
Don’t rub the color in, because that can make it worse.
By dabbing the area, as much oil as possible can be removed before going on to the next step.
Oil-Absorbent Granular Material
The next step is to sprinkle oil-absorbing granules, like cat litter or baking soda, over the spot and let it sit for a few hours or overnight.
The granules will soak up the oil, making it easy to get rid of.
Once the granules have soaked up the oil, you can sweep them away.
Cleaning Solutions
To get rid of oil stains on pavement, you can use dish soap or powdered laundry detergent.
Put some dish soap on the oil spot, scrub it with a tough brush, and then rinse the soap off with water.
Keep doing this until the oil mark is gone.
Pour powdered laundry soap over the oil spill, mix it with warm water to make a paste, and scrub it for two minutes.
After 15 minutes, scrub the area again and then wash it off.
For oil spots on pavers, a commercial-strength detergent like PROSOCO’s Cleaner/Degreaser can be used.
If the oil stain is deeper into the bricks, you should use something like Oil & Grease Stain Remover.
Other Cleaning Solutions
There are different kinds of cleaning products that can be used to get rid of oil stains on outdoor surfaces.
Cat litter, soda, baking soda, powdered powder, oven cleaner, WD-40, and concrete cleaner or degreaser are all common items that can be used to get rid of oil stains.
Some of the best things to use to get rid of oil and grease spots are Lestoil, Pine-Sol, and K2R Spot Remover.
A small dab of Lestoil or Pine-Sol on the spot before washing as usual can help get rid of the stain.
K2R Spot Remover can be used to get rid of grease stains on things like accessories, furniture, and rugs that can’t be washed.
Regular Cleaning
A mix of baking soda and water can be used to loosen dirt and grease from concrete garage floors and help keep the floors clean.
Sawdust or cat litter can be sprinkled right on top of fresh oil and grease stains to soak up as much as possible.
Once the powder has been soaked up, it can be swept away with a broom.
If a stain is still there, you can apply baking soda or powdered laundry soap and scrub it with a nylon brush and water.
Using a cleaner or degreaser on concrete can also help get rid of old oil and grease spots.
Rust Stains
Most of the time, acid-based cleaners are the best way to get rid of rust spots on concrete.
For light rust spots, you can use white vinegar or lemon juice.
For more serious rust stains, you can use acidic cleaners.
Which cleaner to use on concrete depends on its finish, how old it is, and how bad the stain is.
Safety and Equipment
When cleaning outside objects, safety should always be the most important thing.
Taking the right measures can help protect you and the surface you’re working on, whether you’re removing oil stains from pavers or taking the finish off of a wooden deck.
Here are some tips and rules to follow when cleaning outdoor areas.
Choosing the Right Cleaning Product
Choosing the right cleaning tool is the first step in cleaning outdoor surfaces.
It’s important to pick a cleaner that won’t hurt the area you’re trying to clean.
Always read the label and carefully follow what the maker says to do.
If you use the wrong product or use it in the wrong way, it could hurt you or others.
Preparing Cleaning Solutions
After choosing the right cleaning product, it’s important to mix the solution the right way.
Most chemicals work best when they are diluted just right, so it’s important to carefully follow the directions from the manufacturer.
Using a solution that is too weak or too strong can make the product less useful and put you and others at unnecessary risk.
Removing Oil Stains
Oil stains on outdoor surfaces can be cleaned up with common home items, commercial-strength detergents, and special stain removers.
Cat litter, soda, baking soda, powdered powder, oven cleaner, WD-40, and concrete cleaner or degreaser are all common items that can be used to get rid of oil stains.
Commercial-strength cleaners like PROSOCO’s Cleaner/Degreaser are made to remove oil and grease films, sticky tape residues, rubber tire marks, and scuffs from concrete floors and other outdoor surfaces.
For tougher spots, PROSOCO’s Oil & Grease Stain Remover is a better choice.
Before you use any cleaning solution on an oil mark, you should get rid of any soil or plant matter that you can see.
Dirt can be removed with a stiff brush, especially from rough surfaces.
A hard spray of water or a pressurized sprayer can get rid of dirt that has caked on to tools and into tight areas, like between the tines of a tiller.
If you spill oil or grease on a concrete garage floor, you should put cat litter or sawdust on it to soak up the liquid and let it sit for about a day before cleaning it up.
For older stains, a paste made of powdered laundry soap and water can be put on the stain and left to sit.
Then, the stain can be scrubbed with a broom or brush and rinsed with water.
You could also use a dish detergent that cuts through grease and a stiff broom to scrub the spot.
If you want to clean oil spots off pavers with a product like PROSOCO’s Cleaner/Degreaser, you shouldn’t use it when the temperature is below freezing or will be below freezing overnight.
This is not good for the bricks.
The product should be mixed with water, and the amount of water to product will depend on how bad the oil stain is.
For tough spots, you should mix 1 part Cleaner/Degreaser with 4 parts fresh water.
For lighter spots, you should mix 1 part Cleaner/Degreaser with 10 parts clean water.
Stripping Finishes from Wood Surfaces
Cabot Wood Stripper is a special stain stripper that can be used to remove both water-based and oil-based finishes from all surfaces, including wood surfaces.
It’s made to get wood surfaces ready to be stained, and you can use it on any kind of wood, from oak to pressure-treated wood.
Wear protective clothes, gloves, and eye protection when using Cabot Wood Stripper.
The product should be put on with a brush or roller, and then it should be left to sit for the amount of time that is suggested.
Once the finish has come off, you can use a scraper or a power washer to get rid of it.
After the finish is stripped off, the wood needs to dry completely before it can be sanded and painted.
Protecting Tools and Equipment
It’s important to keep your tools and equipment safe after cleaning surfaces outside or removing finishes from wood surfaces.
Let them dry fully before putting a few drops of linseed oil, Tung oil, or mineral oil on them to keep them from rusting.
This will help your tools and equipment last longer and make sure they are ready for the next job.
Prevention and Benefits of Professional Services
Preventing Oil Stains
The best way to keep oil from leaving marks is to clean up any spills right away.
For outdoor living areas, it’s important to keep the surface free of leaves and other organic materials that can leave tannin stains.
Wrought iron furniture that isn’t properly sealed can leave rust spots on paver patios.
If you have this kind of outdoor furniture, check it every so often to make sure it’s still properly sealed.
Removing Oil Stains
If an oil stain does happen, there are a few ways to get rid of it.
Baking soda is a great way to get rid of new oil spots.
After using a bit of cat litter to get rid of the oil, put baking soda on the stain and let it sit for a few minutes.
Then, scrub the stain with a brush and rinse it off.
Grease and oil stains can also be taken off of composite decks with liquid dish detergent like Dawn.
Put a few drops of the soap on the oily spot and use a handheld scrub brush dipped in warm water to remove it.
There are special items for oil stains that don’t come out easily.
Safe ‘n Easy® Oil and Grease Remover is a solution that gets rid of organic oil and grease stains that have become deeply embedded in concrete pavers.
CLR Grease-Free is a product that can be used to clean grease and oil stains from garage floors, roads, and pool decks, among other outdoor surfaces.
For the best effects, it’s important to follow the directions given by the manufacturer.
Benefits of Hiring a Professional
There are many good reasons to hire a professional to get rid of oil stains on outdoor surfaces.
Pros use products that are safe, work well, and are good for the world.
They know how to remove tough stains and discoloration from concrete sidewalks and other outdoor surfaces because they have done it before.
Concrete marks from oil and cars can also be taken care of by professionals.
Hiring a professional to remove oil stains is one of the best ways to get more done.
A clean, well-kept outdoor area can boost employee morale and help them do their jobs better.
By using the most effective and efficient ways to get rid of oil stains, professionals can also save time and money.
They can also help keep surfaces outside from getting stained again by adding sealers and other protective coatings.
The quality of the work is another reason to hire a professional to get rid of oil stains.
Professionals have the tools and know-how to get even the toughest spots and discolorations off of outdoor surfaces.
They can also do a more thorough cleaning than just sweeping and taking out the trash.
This can help a business or home look better and be cleaner all around.
Long-Term Effects
Concrete Surfaces
Oil stains and other problems can be hard to get rid of on concrete walkways.
Bleach can be used as a pre-cleaner to get rid of some spots.
It can also be used to get rid of dirt and kill algae in other places.
But if you don’t use a pressure washer the right way, you can damage concrete surfaces.
A pressure washer uses water that is 30 to 80 times more powerful than a yard hose.
It can almost magically remove dirt, grime, and stains from almost any surface.
But if you start pressure cleaning from far away and move closer, some parts of your driveway will look darker than others.
If you are working on a big surface, you may want to work on one area at a time and take breaks.
Granite Surfaces
Oil spots, like Citronella oil, can also damage the surface of granite.
If citronella oil is left on granite surfaces for a long time, it can break through the sealer and stain the granite.
If you don’t clean them well, animal droppings or waste can also stain granite slabs.
To clean granite surfaces, first get rid of the dirt and then use soap and water to clean the area.
Cleansers for kitchen surfaces that don’t have bleach or strong abrasives are also fine.
Clean Shot Soft Wash Outdoor Cleaner
Clean Shot Soft Wash Outdoor Cleaner is a heavy-duty cleaner and cleanser that can be used on surfaces like siding, gutters, roofs, stucco, fences, decks, and more.
It’s made with natural orange oils that get rid of algae, mold, and mildew spots.
This cleaner can be used on many different surfaces, including wood, vinyl, metal, stucco, concrete, and more.
One gallon of Clean Shot House Siding & Deck cleaner can get rid of spots caused by algae, mold, mildew, and grime.
This foaming mixture of bleach, corrosion inhibitors, and water-softening agents quickly gets rid of dirt and stains.
Oil Stains
Oil spots on outdoor surfaces can be hard to get rid of and can cause damage over time if they are not cleaned properly.
When cleaning outdoor surfaces, you should never use abrasive materials or cleaners because they can damage the surface and leave ugly scratches.
White vinegar or laundry soap can be used to break up the grease and make the stain easier to remove.
It’s important to get grease off surfaces as soon as possible because it can attract more dirt and dust, which will only make the problem worse.
Concrete Surfaces
Solvent-based solutions should not be used on concrete because they are bad for the environment and can damage the surface.
Even though cat litter, sand, and other absorbent materials can get rid of standing oil, they can’t get rid of the oily stain it leaves behind.
Cleaning with commercial and home detergents takes a lot of scrubbing and can leave residue or change the color of the concrete.
Instead, you should use a product that is made to get rid of oil marks from concrete.
Put the product on the spot and let it sit for a few days.
If the color stays, the product should be reapplied, and a push broom or nylon bristle brush should be used to scrub the area.
Painted Walls
White vinegar or baking soda can be used to get rid of grease spots on painted walls.
With a spray bottle, you can put a mixture of one part white vinegar and one part hot water on the grease and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it off with a clean cloth.
You can make a paste out of baking soda and put it on the grease, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe it off with a clean cloth.
To get the wall clean, you should work in small areas and repeat the process as many times as needed.
Note: Please keep in mind that the estimate in this article is based on information available when it was written.
It’s just for informational purposes and shouldn’t be taken as a promise of how much things will cost.
Prices, rates, and fees can change because of things like market changes, changes in regional costs, inflation, and other unforeseen circumstances.
Summing up the main ideas
In the end, getting rid of oil stains is a job that needs patience, determination, and the right tools. Whether you have a small spill on your driveway or a bigger stain on your lawn, there are many ways to get rid of the mark. The key is to move quickly and not let the stain set in. You can use baking soda and dish soap or buy a special cleaner.
But here’s the thing: it’s important to keep your outdoor surfaces clean and free of spots, but you should also think about how oil spills and other pollutants can hurt the environment. When we wash away a spot, we might send chemicals that are bad for the environment down the drain and into our waterways.
So, as you try to get oil spots off your outdoor surfaces, take a moment to think about the bigger picture. How can we all do our part to cut down on our use of fossil fuels and keep pollution from hurting our planet? It might not seem like much, but every little bit helps.
In the end, getting rid of oil stains is just a small part of a bigger discussion about sustainability and being good to the earth. We can all do our part to make the world cleaner and healthier for future generations by taking care of our outdoor areas and being aware of how our actions affect the world around us.
Looking for a new Pressure washer?
Choosing a gadget can be very difficult if you know nothing about the technology.
Some will pay for features they do not need while others may not consider what they really want.
So I created this quick, newbie guide to help you focus on what is really important to you:
The Best Pressure Washer (For You!)
What are some ways you can keep the outside of a house clean?
Tip: Turn on the caption button if you need it.
Choose ‘automatic translation’ in the settings button, if you are not familiar with the English language.
You may need to click on the language of the video first before your favorite language becomes available for translation.
Links and references
My article on the topic:
Mastering Outdoor Stain Removal
Private note to self: (Article status: abstract)
