Removing Oil Stains From A Driveway

Kitty Litter For Oil Stain Removal

You've heard this one before. Kitty litter is a wonderful help in absorbing grease and oil. Just be sure you pour it right out of the new bag - not out of the litter box. Allow the litter to stay on the oil stain to absorb as much of the liquid as possible. You might grab the push broom that you use to sweep the garage floor and driveway and kind of stir the litter back and forth with the brush part. Kitty Litter contains an absorbent clay (and deodorizer) that actually draws (absorbs) moisture and causes it to clump up.

The theory is that the cat goes potty in the litter; the urine clumps up and the owner can remove the clumps without having to throw away the whole box of litter. The same principle works for absorbing the excess oil from the spill on your floor or driveway. In this case, you want to sweep up all of the litter and dispose of it. Then you'll have to get rid of the stain.

Blotting Up Grease And Oil Stains

When you find a greasy or oily puddle on your pavement or concrete, you'll need to blot up as much as possible to keep it from soaking into the surface and becoming permanently bonded and stained. Use newspaper, paper towels, old terrycloth towels or cleaning rags to wipe up as much of the puddle as possible. You may have to get on your hands and knees to scrub and blot up the excess oil. Be careful about disposing of the papers or rags after they are soaked with the oil. If they are left behind and forgotten, they have the serious potential of causing a fire - spontaneous combustion - and you'll have more than a few stains on your pavement to worry about.

Gather the rags and cleaning papers up and take them to a recycle place as soon as possible. If you must leave them overnight, leave them outside - at a safe distance from your house.