Do oil stains eventually come out of concrete?

Quick Answer

Yes, oil stains can eventually be removed from concrete, but it takes time and effort. The oil penetrates deep into the concrete, so surface cleaning alone is not enough. Using degreasers, scrubbing, and patience are key to lifting old oil stains. Newer spills are easier to remove before they fully set in. With the right products and techniques, even tough, dried-in oily spots on a garage floor or driveway can be eliminated.

What Causes Oil Stains on Concrete

Oil stains on concrete are caused by oil dripping or leaking onto the surface. Common culprits include:

• Car or motorcycle oil leaks
• Spilled gas and motor oil
• Cooking oil spills from fryers or containers
• Grease drips from grill or vehicles
• Hydraulic fluid leaks from vehicles
• Lubricating oils from lawn mowers and tools

Over time, these spilled oils soak into the concrete, leaving behind stubborn stains. The oil penetrates the porous concrete surface and bonds within the material. That makes it harder to remove the longer it sits.

Removing Fresh Oil Stains

If you can get to an oil spill when it’s still fresh, removal is much easier. Here are tips for cleaning up a new oil spot:

• Cover the oil spill with an absorbent material like kitty litter or sand. Let it soak in for at least 15 minutes.
• Sweep up the absorbent along with the soaked-in oil.
• Use a stiff scrub brush and concentrated dish soap to scrub the remaining stain.
• Rinse thoroughly with hot water.
• For tough stains, apply a degreaser like Simple Green, let it sit for 5 minutes, then scrub and rinse.
• Repeat scrubbing and rinsing until the stain disappears.

Getting to fresh oil spills right away prevents the oil from fully bonding and penetration. Swift cleanup is the best way to avoid lasting oil stains.

Removing Dried, Old Oil Stains

Eliminating old, dried-in oil stains on concrete requires a little more effort. Here are tips for removing stubborn, lingering stains:

• Start by sweeping or wiping away surface dirt and grime to expose the stain.
• Scrub the stain with a concentrated degreaser like Simple Green or a citrus-based cleaner.
• For tougher stains, apply a poultice to draw out the oil:
• Mix an absorbent like kitty litter, sawdust, or cornstarch with degreaser to make a paste.
• Spread the poultice paste over the stain about 1/4-inch thick.
• Cover it with plastic wrap and let sit for 24-48 hours.
• Remove the plastic and let the poultice dry completely, then sweep it up.
• Use a pressure washer or stiff scrub brush to work in degreaser and scrub away any remaining stain.
• Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear.
• For persistent stains, repeat the poultice-and-scrub process.

With multiple applications of degreasers, scrubbing, and patience, even dried-in oil stains can eventually be removed from concrete.

Tips for Preventing Oil Stains

While even set-in stains can be removed with effort, prevention is always preferable. Here are some tips to avoid oil stains on concrete:

• Stay on top of oil leaks and drips from vehicles. Fix leaks promptly to avoid stains.
• Use drip pans, absorbent pads, or trash bags under leaky equipment.
• Clean up spills quickly before oil has a chance to soak in.
• Use a sealant like concrete epoxy to make concrete less porous and prone to oil stains.
• Park vehicles on tarps or absorbent pads to contain any leaks or drips.

Good maintenance and immediate spill cleanup will keep concrete free of unsightly oil stains. But even if stains occur, you can get that clean, bright concrete surface back with some diligent scrubbing.

Best Products for Removing Oil Stains from Concrete

Using the right oil-fighting product is critical for concrete stain removal. Look for heavy-duty degreasers that can penetrate and dissolve sticky oils. Recommended products include:

Simple Green Concrete Cleaner

Simple Green makes a heavy-duty cleaner specifically formulated for concrete. It cuts through grease, oil, transmission fluid, and other stubborn stains. Spray it on full-strength, let it soak for 5-10 minutes, then scrub.

Zep Purple Degreaser

This professional-grade degreaser quickly dissolves oil, grease, tar, bitumen, and other residue. It cleans deeply to lift and eliminate stains and leave concrete looking new.

Citristrip Concrete Degreaser

This water-based degreaser uses citrus extracts to cut through grease and oil. It’s biodegradable and fume-free. Spray it on and let it sit before power washing.

Krud Kutter Concentrated Cleaner & Degreaser

Krud Kutter is designed to remove the toughest oil and grease stains. It’s strong enough for industrial use but safe for residential concrete. Let it soak in before scrubbing.

Oil Eater Original Cleaner/Degreaser

As the name implies, Oil Eater is formulated to dissolve and eliminate oil and grease stains from concrete surfaces. It’s non-toxic, non-abrasive, and biodegradable.

Home Remedies for Concrete Oil Stains

In a pinch, you can also make your own homemade cleaners usingcommon ingredients. Home degreasing remedies include:

Baking Soda

Mix baking soda with just enough water to make a paste. Spread onto the stain and let sit for an hour before scrubbing and rinsing. Baking soda helps absorb grease.

White Vinegar

Straight white vinegar helps dissolve oil and grease. Pour it directly onto the stain and let it soak in for up to an hour before scrubbing.

Dish Soap

Heavy-duty dish soaps like Dawn cut through kitchen grease, so they can work on garage and driveway oil stains too. Scrub the stain with concentrated soap.

Ammonia

Add 1/2 cup ammonia to a gallon of warm water. Scrub this solution into the stain and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before rinsing. Never mix ammonia with bleach!

TSP Substitute

Make a paste from 1 cup washing soda, 1 cup borax, and 1/2 cup dish soap. Scrub it into the stain and let it sit before rinsing thoroughly.

When to Call a Professional for Concrete Oil Stains

For light to moderate oil staining on residential concrete, DIY removal is often successful. But for severe industrial stains or concrete coatings damaged by grease, call in the pros. Professional services offer a few advantages:

• Commercial degreasing solutions stronger than household products
• Truck-mounted power washing with hot water for a deep clean
• Extended stain dwell time using chemicals and poultices
• Professional tools like rotary scrubbers to scour concrete
• Ability to replace sealer or epoxy coatings damaged by oil

Pros have the equipment, chemicals, time and expertise to remove oil staining in even the worst cases. They can eliminate stains that have resisted all DIY efforts. This is especially worthwhile for badly stained garage floors, industrial warehouse floors, or stained exterior concrete.

Preventing Future Oil Stains

Once you invest the effort to remove those unsightly oil stains, you’ll want to keep them from coming back. Here are tips for preventing new oil stains on cleaned concrete:

• Clean up spills immediately to prevent oil penetrating.
• Use absorbents like sand or kitty litter promptly on drips.
• Keep floors cleaned so leaked oils don’t mix with dirt.
• Fix any oil leaks in vehicles parked inside.
• Use drip pans religiously when draining or changing vehicle oils.
• Park vehicles over tarps or pads to protect from leaks.
• Seal concrete with an epoxy or urethane coating to repel future oil stains.

A little caution goes a long way in keeping concrete stain-free. Prompt cleanup, drip protection and preventive sealing will defend against recurring oil damage.

Will Oil Stains Reappear After Removing Them from Concrete?

It’s possible for seemingly-removed oil stains to later reappear as “ghosting” if the oil was not fully eliminated. Here are some reasons oil stains may return:

• The stain was not allowed to dry fully before re-sealing.
• Fresh concrete was stained before the surface cured.
• Cleaning opened concrete pores, allowing more oil penetration when re-stained.
• Not all of the oil residue was removed from tiny pores.
• A sealer or coating blocked the oil stain from view temporarily.

To prevent ghosting, thoroughly remove all oil residue before re-sealing. Allow plenty of time for the concrete to dry fully. Test cleaned areas with water to ensure the stain does not reappear. If stains return, repeat the cleaning process.

Using a penetrating sealer can help by binding remaining traces of oil. Epoxy coatings are very effective at blocking stains. Be patient and do a complete job to avoid having old oil stains return later on.

Removing Other Tough Stains from Concrete

Oil is one of the most challenging concrete stains, but not the only one. Here are tips for removing other common stubborn stains:

Mold and Mildew Stains

• Mix 1 part bleach to 4 parts water and scrub onto stains.
• Apply mildew remover and scrub with a stiff brush.
• Power wash with a chlorine solution.

Rust Stains

• Use an oxalic or phosphoric acid-based rust remover.
• Make a paste with laundry detergent andscrub vigorously.
• Apply citric acid powder and sweep in before rinsing.

Tire Marks

• Use a stiff brush and concentrated degreaser.
• Rub gently with very fine steel wool.
• Spray with WD-40, let penetrate, then scrub.

Leaf and Berry Stains

• Mix baking soda and water into a paste and scrub.
• Use oxygen bleach powder and hot water.
• Apply lemon juice and let soak before scrubbing.

Any type of stain on concrete demands prompt treatment and the right product to lift it. Stopping stains quickly prevents a lasting headache.

Conclusion

Oil stains don’t have to be a permanent eyesore on concrete. With persistence and the right degreasing products, even old, set-in oil spots can be removed. The key is to penetrate below the surface and fully dissolve the greasy residue. Prevention is always preferable through good maintenance habits. But even long-ignored stains can be remedied with some elbow grease and patience. With concerted effort, that clean, bright concrete surface can be restored once again.