At some point and time, everyone runs into this problem: you are working in the garage and all of a sudden, an oil spill occurs. Not only does an oil spill on your garage floor decrease the aesthetic value of your garage, but also oil stains can be notoriously difficult to remove.

Not all oil stains respond to same removal treatment either.  Indeed, the longer the oil spill  remains on your floor, the more tenacious these stains are able to resists removal efforts that may have worked on other oil stains. Whether you are dealing with a fresh oil stain or an old, stubborn one on your garage floor, if you need to know how to clean oil off your garage floor the following stain removal techniques will assist you in effectively removing the oil stain and restoring your garage floor’s cleanliness.

Methods to Remove Oil Stains

An oil stain can leave a discolored spot on your garage floor which appears discolored or greasy. Prior to performing any process to remove the oil stain, use caution to ensure you have adequately cleaned the area where the oil stain is located. A key fact to remember when you are working to remove the oil stains on your garage floor, remember what worked for one oil stain may not work for a different oil stain. As such, implementing more than one of the methods listed below will help ensure you can successfully remove the oil stain from your garage floor. Whether you are looking how to clean oil off garage floor or if you are looking to avoid acquiring an oil stain on your garage floor, read down to the end of the article for methods on how to avoid an oil stain.

Sawdust or Cat Litter

This is an easy method to remove oil stain from your garage floor only using somewhat common household items. You will deed sawdust or cat litter and a push broom with rigid bristles. First, start with the sawdust or cat litter. Second, place this substance on the oil stain in your garage floor. Allow the sawdust or cat litter to remain on stain for at least twenty-four hours. Third, retrieve the push broom with rigid bristles and use this push brush to sweep up the sawdust or cat litter. At this point, the oil stain should be removed from the garage floor.

Dishwasher Detergent

Another method to clean the oil stain using a common household item is to utilize dishwasher detergent. You will need dishwasher detergent, water, and a push broom with rigid bristles. First, pour the dishwasher detergent on top of the oil stain. Allow the dishwasher detergent to sit on the oil stain for a minimum of forty-five minutes. Next, heat a pot of water so that it is rapidly boiling and pour this boiling water on top of the dishwasher detergent. Finally, get the push broom with rigid bristles and thoroughly scrub the area until the oil stain is removed.

Kerosene

You can also utilized kerosene to remove an oil stain. Kerosene is an organic solvent that breaks down oil’s bonding agents. You will need kerosene, a nylon scrubbing brush, and a high pressured water from a garden hose.  First, generously pour kerosene upon the oil stain. Next, vigorously scrub the kerosene into the oil stain using the nylon scrubbing brush. You need to keep scrubbing until the oil stain is removed. Finally, thoroughly rinse your garage floor with high pressure water from the garden hose such that the dye is no longer present on your garage floor.

Oven Cleaner

Yet another method which involves a common household cleaner but at the same time functions to remove a tough oil stain is oven cleaner. You will need a spray bottle, oven cleaner, a nylon scrubbing brush, and a garden hose that is connected to a water source. First, fill the spray bottle with oven cleaner and then spray the oil stain with oven cleaner.  Second, allow the oven cleaner to rest on the garage floor for a minimum of five to ten minutes.  Third, vigorously scrub the oil stain with the nylon scrubbing brush. Finally, use the garden hose on the highest pressure to wash away the oven cleaner. Repeat as many times as necessary to remove the oil stain.

Tri-sodium Phosphate

An additional method to remove an oil stain from your garage floor is tri-sodium phosphate. You will need tri-sodium phosphate, a bucket, water, and a push broom with rigid bristles. To start, mix in the bucket six parts water for every one part tri-sodium phosphate. Next, pour the mixture on top of the oil stain. Allow the solution to stay on top of the oil stain until it dries; the solution will dry in approximately twenty to twenty-four hours. Finally, use the push broom with rigid bristles and thoroughly sweep away the solution.

How to Avoid an Oil Stain and Keep Your Garage Floor Clean

All in all, taking precautionary measures to avoid getting an oil stain on your garage floor is much easier than attempting to remove an oil stain.

The first option to protect your garage floors from an oil stain is to apply an oil stain blocker. Thoroughly applying an oil stain blocker to your garage floor will prevent stains on your floor from oil, chemicals, and water. Another option is to lay down a garage floor oil mat on your garage floor. You can purchase garage floor mats in different sizes, so simply place these oil mats under the vehicle or machinery that is leaking oil.

Proactively implementing measures that will ensure an oil stain will not occur will save you from having to deal with the process of removing an oil stain later on down the road.

Nobody likes an oil stain on their garage floor. Not only is the garage an important part of your house, but a clean garage floor adds to the aesthetic value of your house. We here at SVI pride ourselves in providing leading automotive lifts and shop equipment parts and want to ensure your garage floor remains oil free. The above methods offer a variety of methods you can utilize to remove those pesky oil stains that may be on your garage floor. Similarly, applying an oil stain blocker or a garage floor mat can ensure your garage floor remains oil free while you are able to enjoy a genuine product from us.