Oil stains on the driveway: what actually gets them out

Oil stains are the number-one thing homeowners try to DIY on concrete. Here's what actually removes them.

• Absorb with cat litter or sawdust — leave it 30 minutes
• Sweep up
• Follow with a degreaser and stiff brush
• Rinse

If caught fresh, 90%+ of oil comes right up.

• Degreaser needs dwell time (10–15 minutes)
• Follow with hot water pressure wash if possible
• May need 2–3 passes
• Sometimes a poultice (absorbent powder + solvent) is necessary

Set-in oil that's fully penetrated the concrete may not come out completely. The best result is often 80–90% lift, with a faint shadow remaining.

Enzymatic degreasers (safer than solvent-based) plus heated pressure washing when the stain warrants it. For very old spots, I offer a poultice treatment as an add-on.

• Fix the leak first (obvious but often skipped)
• Seal the concrete after cleaning
• Park cars in slightly different spots to spread wear

I'll always tell you upfront if I can only get 80% out. Some stains are permanent shadows. That's honest, not a limitation of the equipment — it's the physics of oil in porous concrete.