Removing oil stains from yourasphalt drivewayis not at all like wiping up a food spill on your kitchen floor.
Asphalt is an impermeable surfaceless porous than concrete.
Since asphalt sheds water, it also has a tendency to shed oil stains.
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Force comes in the form of a pressure washer, a nylon scrub brush, or a wire brush.
Chemicals are either petroleum-based or they can be environmentally friendly degreasers.
when you’ve got loosened the oil stain, the residue must be moved off of theasphalt driveway.
Leaving the residue in place will only re-stain the driveway after it has dried.
Baking Soda
Baking sodacan do almost anything.
But is it up to the task of cleaning oil stains from asphalt?
Baking soda has no special chemical properties that break up the oil.
Simply put, baking soda is a mild abrasive.
Combined with water and a scrub brush, baking soda is moderately effective at breaking up those oil stains.
Use only a little water to make it make a paste.
Baking soda can also be used as an absorbent, much like granular clay or cat litter.
Pressure washing is pure force and it’s a force to be reckoned with.
So, hitting the asphalt with just the right force is a delicate balancing act.
Pressure washers in the 1,600 psi range or less may not be able to remove the oil stains.
You’ll need ahigher pressure machinein the 3,000 psi range to effectively remove the oil.
Warning
Be careful when using a pressure washer.
Never direct the spray toward any part of your body.
Always wear long pants and shoes.
Pressure washer injection injuries can lead to fibrosis, adhesions, necrosis (skin decay), and ulcerations.
Professional Pressure Washing
Experience and better tools separate do-it-yourself pressure washing from professional work.
Water pressure up to 4,000 psi elevates the large cleaning head, delivering up to 8 GPM.
Professional pressure washers can remove even the worst oil stains with this tool, all while preserving your driveway.
Most green degreasers use alcohol ethoxylates as their active ingredients.
Some green degreasers also include citrus for improved cleaning ability and for a pleasant odor.
Spray the oil stain with the oven cleaner and let it foam up and sit for about 15 minutes.
Use a wire or nylon brush to scrub the stain, then wash it away.
Be sure to use protective clothing including rubber gloves and eye protection when using oven cleaner.
Granular clay is most effective on fresh, standing pools of oil.
Old, dried oil spots generally will not be cleaned off with absorbent material.
Scoop the granular clay onto the oil spill, then spread it with a broom.
Maintain a thickness of 1/2-inch to 1-inch to fully absorb the spill.
Once the oil has been absorbed, sweep up the absorbent and dispose of it.
When using cat litter to clean oil from your asphalt, be sure to use the clay-based litter.
Do not use silica gel or biodegradable cat litters made from newspaper, corn, wheat, or pine.
If you intend to use cat litter over the long-term, switch to the pure granulated clay product.
Cat litter is far more expensive than granular clay.
These products are toxic, so be careful when using them.
While they are effective, they are also an expensive method because so much of the product is required.
Old motor oil removed from the driveway should not be dumped down drains or sent into the landfill.
Injection injuries: seemingly minor injuries with major consequences.
Hippokratia, 2008 Jan-Mar; 12(1): 3336.
Managing, Reusing, and Recycling Used Oil.
