So you've done a little routine maintenance on your car and spilled some engine oil and now there is an ugly oil stain on your driveway. Here are a few tips that will help clear it up satisfactorily.
If you have a cat and have kitty litter around you can use it to absorb the surface oil. Kitty litter is good for recently spilled oil, before it soakes in too far. Pour enough kitty litter on the spot and cover the spill completely. Grind it down onto the oil with a stiff brush. Leave for around 24 hours to allow the kitty litter to absorb oil as much as possible.
Kitchen Towel: If you don't own any litter, soak up as much as you can with kitchen towel. Use and an up and down motion to blot the spill. Do not wipe.
An engine degreaser may work as well. There are commercial oil absorbent products available so give you local hardware store a call to see if they stock any. Always check the health and safety instructions on the label before using. Some of these materials may be hazardous to your health if inhaled.
Disposing of the oil contaminated kitty litter. Sweep up the kitty litter and if possible store it in an airtight metal container with no plastic lining. Check your local authority how to dispose of contaminated material.
Do not try to wash away the now contaminated kitty litter by hosing as this could make the stain spread.
The litter will still leave a light oil stain on a concrete floor. Squirt ordinary washing up liquid onto this stain.
Add a tiny amount of hot water to the stain mixed with the detergent and brush the mixture over the oil stain to make a thin layer.
Scrub the area thoroughly. This is where you will need a bit of elbow grease as it can take a little extra effort to drive the detargent into the oil stain. Scrub the affected area with a stiff brush until there are plenty of suds. Don't use a wire brush, which could scratch the surface of the concrete and leave a worse eyesore.
Wait about 30 minutes to 1 hour for the detergent to attract and mix with the oil. Once again absorb the dirty soap mixture using more kitty litter, paper towels etc. Dispose of all oil-soaked materials as before.
Stubborn oil spills can often take two or three scrubs to remove the stain entirely. If the stain is still dark or the scrubbing didn't have an effect it could be more that just an oil spill, it could be an oil leak and may need investigating. I that case call Seamus on 1890 98 74 67
Read all about our Oil Spill Remediation Services here
