Two of the biggest investments a person will make in their life is their home and vehicle. As such, we want to make sure that we are taking care of both properly and regularly to keep them both at their highest value. Unfortunately, one can wind up being quite a nuisance to the other if it is not adequately maintained.
Oil stains on the driveway are unsightly and can put a damper on a homes’ curb appeal. The best way to avoid staining the driveway is to have regular maintenance performed on your vehicle. When you have regular preventative maintenance performed on your vehicle you can catch a potential leak before it starts, saving you money and saving your driveway. If, for some reason, the signs that your oil may begin leaking are missed and you wind up with a spot on your driveway, there are ways that you can try and remove it.
Here are six ways to remove oil stains from your paved driveway:
Oven Cleaner
Oven cleaner can be used to remove oil stains from the pavement. Simply spray the oven cleaner over the oil stain until it is fully saturated and allow the oven cleaner to soak in for at least 15 minutes. Take a hard steel brush or hard bristled brush and scrub at the stain using as much muscle as you can muster. As you scrub, you will see the stain start to disappear. Scrub until you no longer see a spot. It is not uncommon for an oil spot to seemingly reappear, it is just some of the more deeply soaked oil making its way to the surface. If this happens, you can repeat the process to completely eliminate the stain.
Dawn Dish Soap
Pour Dawn dish soap over the oil stain and let sit for about 10 minutes. Use a large, hard bristle brush to scrub the stain until you see the oil pulling from the asphalt then rinse with a hose. Repeat if needed until the stain is gone.
Powder Laundry Detergent
Completely cover the stain with the detergent. Sprinkle it with a little warm water so that the powder will mix and use a hard brush or strong wire brush to scrub the detergent into the stain. Once the detergent has mixed with the oil let it sit for an hour so that the detergent can really penetrate the oil. After the hour spray the detergent away with a hose. Repeat if necessary.
Coca-Cola
This method is not great for old, deep, and large stains. However, if the stain is small and has just occurred, Coca-Cola can be a pavement saver! You need only take a can or two of Coca-Cola and pour it over the stain before you go to bed. Allow it to sit overnight. In the morning you can rinse it with water and the stain should be gone.
WD-40
Spray the stain with WD-40 until completely covered and allow it to sit overnight. In the morning you can rinse it away and in most cases, there will be no signs of the oil stain remaining.
Baking Soda
Cover the stain completely with large amounts of baking soda then scrub with a steel brush. You may find it a bit fascinating as the baking soda begins to turn black. After you have scrubbed for a good 10 minutes or so allow the baking soda to sit for at least a half an hour then rinse with a hose. Repeat if needed.
Remember, the best way to protect your driveway is to keep up with your vehicles’ regular maintenance schedule. Virginia Auto Service is here to help you with your automotive maintenance and repair needs. We are your go-to in Phoenix, AZ for reliable, high-quality auto services. Call (602) 266-0200 or schedule an appointment online.