How do I clean up an oil spill from a concrete driveway?

Question

I was running my wave runner in the driveway and it started dumping oil all over the driveway. I cleaned it up with rags intitially and spread kitty litter over it for now. What can I use to thoroughly clean the concrete now?

Answer 1

dry sweep is the best, but believe it or not kitty litter works like a charm.  just sprinkle it out, grind it into the concrete and sweep it up!  too easy

Answer 2

Concrete can really absorb oil. The oil can penetrate to a depth of one eighth or one quarter inch. Old oil also looses some of its lighter weight components and the oil gets thick. To remove it you almost need to re-liquefy it. This can be done using hydrocarbon based solvents like kerosene, paint thinner, etc. but it is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. The fumes from these liquids can travel across a garage floor and be ignited by a distant spark. The fumes also can penetrate clothing and even your skin. You can become a human torch if something goes wrong.

If you try to use solvents to help remove the stain you need to ventilate the area and not work with any open flames. Use common sense. You can add small amounts of solvent and allow it to soak into the concrete. Scrub lightly and then blot the black liquid up with paper towels. It is a good idea to burn these paper towels later in the day. Do not just throw them away in the garbage! They can spontaneously combust.

Answer 3

Dawn dish soap and a scrub brush is the safest way to clean up oil and grease after using kitty litter and rags to absorb the bulk of the spill.

If the area isn't too big you can boil a pot of water and dump it on the area to be cleaned before scrubbing.

Answer 4

buy a big box of Arm and Hammer baking soda spread over the soiled area and scrub it with a wire brush Tide with bleach works well also, but I am thinking of the environment.

Answer 5

Get some concrete cleaner. They should have some at Home Depot. Get it in a gallon bottle. A good brand is Zep. Pour it on, add some water, scrub with a brush, then wash it off.

Don't use solvents, that isn't going to get it out of the concrete. Plus the stuff smells and causes cancer.