Removing grease/oil spots from concrete driveway (pools, color, cleaner)

[KarenG]

We had a visitor whose vehicle left grease/oil spots on our concrete driveway. I tried removing the spots with a degreaser, but was unsuccessful. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[crazyworld]

Try laundry detergent....hope that helps

[Ultrarunner]

A spray can of Automotive Carburetor Cleaner always does the trick for me on small spots.

Spray it on, watch it dissolve and blot it with a rag.

[ESFP]

I'm not a salesman, so this is true... I washed my car with Amway SA8 detergent. When finished, I was going to toss the bucket-full of suds, but dumped on a big grease spot that had been on my concrete for a year. It dissolved as I watched.

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by ESFP

I'm not a salesman, so this is true... I washed my car with Amway SA8 detergent. When finished, I was going to toss the bucket-full of suds, but dumped on a big grease spot that had been on my concrete for a year. It dissolved as I watched.

I was given a box of Amway Driveway Cleaner a long time ago... and it worked well and with a little scrubbing the stain disappeared.

[willdufauve]

Originally Posted by crazyworld

Try laundry detergent....hope that helps

I've used laundry detergent and it works great for me.

I don't scrub it. I put the detergent straight on the oil spot and let it sit there; the rain eventually washes it off. I'm getting too old to work hard at something like a grease stain.

[robbiethompsan]

I have had the same problem with my drive and patio. Theres a great company in London called Hydro-Drive who will clean it for you. If you consider the time and effort put into doing it yourself, then these guys are well worth it. They can clean everything from driveways to swimming pools. And theyre friendly and have reasonable prices.

Their website is [URL="http://www.hydro-drive.co.uk"]www.hydro-drive.co.uk[/URL]

You can call them on

0208 411 0101 or 07902 232 669

[Donn2390]

Dawn dish soap. it's what the environmentalists use to clean oil cover fowl. I just put a little water on it, then rub in the Dawn. As one person mentioned, Carb cleaner works well too, if the oil spot is fresh. Not everyone has carb cleaner, everyone has Dawn. It may not be perfect when finished, but the sun will bleach out what ever is left.
I don't allow anyone to park in my driveway if the have any sort of leak, that works, too......

[M3 Mitch]

S-100 motorcycle cleaner from Germany. But it's probably only worth having this stuff if you also have a motorcycle - they make a car wash concentrate as well.

You can buy specific driveway cleaners from most auto parts stores as well.

Waterless hand cleaner works great on grease stains on fabric, have not tried it on concrete but probably will work there as well.

But try the Dawn first - probably will do well enough.

[desertsun41]

Forget all those cleaners that claim to work, non do.......and they cost money. Go get yourself a long wire brush with a stiff bristle and a handle on it. Driveways are normally finished with a broom while the cement surface is still a tad wet. This leaves a brushed look. Now use the wire brush in the same direction as these brush marks. When you brush off all the oil stains you will have nothing left but a little pile of dried oil debris. Just blow it away or hose it away. Do not broom it away or it will smear.

If you wire brushed with the grain (the direction of the broom marks) it will disapear 100%. Sometimes if your driveway is older, the brushed area will appear very clean which stands out like a sore thumb. Dont worry, after driving over it a few times it will be the same color as the surrounding are in just days.

I promise you that nothing on earth works better....!!!!