Oil stains are the most common concrete driveway maintenance problem homeowners face. The good news: they can almost always be removed or significantly reduced, especially if you act quickly.
Fresh Stains: Act Immediately
For a fresh oil or fluid drip, the priority is absorption. Cover the stain with absorbent material immediately — cat litter, sawdust, or commercial oil absorbent. Leave it for several hours or overnight, then sweep it up. This removes the bulk of the oil before it penetrates deeper into the concrete. Follow up with a dish soap scrub and a rinse.
Set-In Stains: Degreaser and Scrubbing
For older stains that have soaked in, you need a concrete degreaser or alkaline cleaner. Products like Simple Green Concrete Cleaner, Krud Kutter, or dedicated concrete degreasers work well. Apply generously, let it dwell for 10–15 minutes, then scrub with a stiff nylon brush. Rinse thoroughly with a garden hose or pressure washer. Multiple applications may be needed for deep stains.
Pressure Washing After Degreaser
A pressure washer at 2,000–3,000 PSI significantly improves degreaser effectiveness by forcing the cleaning agent deeper and flushing contaminants out. Keep the nozzle 8–12 inches from the surface to avoid etching. A surface cleaner attachment (the spinning head) gives more even coverage than a bare lance.
When Stains Won't Come Out
Very old, deep oil stains sometimes can't be fully removed — the oil has polymerized and bonded with the concrete at depth. In those cases, sealing over the area with a penetrating sealer can help encapsulate the stain and limit further penetration. If you're planning a replacement anyway, give us a call at (479) 551-1642 for a free assessment.
