TSP and oil stains?

Question

I have a motor oil stain on my patio from a leaky oil pan. I have scrubbed the stain with water and soap, and I have also used a concrete stain cleaning product with no luck. I am wanting to try TSP (trisodium phosphate) and I was curious as to how well this actually works with old set in motor oil stains. I have heard that it will take a few applications, but I was wanting to see if anyone else has tried it with positive results. Thanks in advance.

Austin

Answer 1

I'd make painter's formula, that shold do it. To 1 gallon of water, add 1/2 cup bleach, 1/4 cup of something like **** 'n' Span and 1/2 cup of TSP. You don't want the updated version of TSP, you want the predominant blue and white box that has active ingredients in it. I'd saturate the area with this formula and after about 10 minutes, scrub with a wire brush or push broom, repeat if neccessay, This will probably work but you wil have a very distinct clean spot in the concrete. Be sure you don't take on more than you want.

Answer 2

It will work but you need to keep the soiled surface wet with the TSP compound. One pass will not get it done. The oil is DEEP within the concrete pores and will need to be coaxed out with a lot of TSP.

TSP is a VERY good (and inexpensive) cleaning product. It is the main ingredient in many other commercial cleaning products.