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Grease stains or oil spots affect nearly every driveway, garage, and sidewalk at some point in time. Concrete surfaces are porous, so when engine oil, transmission fluid, or motor oil drips from a car, it's no surprise that it would soak in fast. And left untreated, they're harder to clean later.
If you get into the habit of cleaning stains early, you can can remove many grease stains using simple household products like baking soda, dish soap, and hot water. Pressure washing helps with older, stubborn spots.
Use Household Products First (Fresh Grease Stains)
For a fresh oil leak or small grease spill, fast cleanup makes a difference. Reach for absorbent household materials you likely already have. Things like:
- Kitty litter or cat litter (non-clumping works best)
- Baking soda or cornstarch
- Paper towels or microfiber cloths for blotting
Cover the stain and let it sit for at least 30 minutes... or longer for larger spills. Once it’s soaked up the oil, sweep it away. If the material is fully saturated, repeat to continue to extract the stain from the surface.
Then, use dish soap and hot water to scrub the area with a nylon bristle brush or even a stiff broom.
For added strength, you can mix stronger solutions like Tide laundry detergent or Dawn dishwashing soap with warm water and scrub again. These work well on concrete driveways and garage floors that have light oil stains or everyday automotive greases.
Try Pressure Washing (Older, Stubborn Stains)
If your garage floor or driveway has older, darker stains—most likely from vehicles—you’ll need more than baking soda or cat litter. A pressure washer combined with a degreasing cleaner can help break up years of buildup.
"Pressure washers are one of our top rentals year-round," said Tony English, Senior Merchant, The Home Depot Rental. "They're easy to rent hourly or for the full day and can range in price from $30 to $100."
For better results:
- Pre-treat with a concrete degreaser product like ZEP concrete cleaner, or a degreasing surface cleaner.
- Let the cleaner soak in for 10–15 minutes. (Remember, it's porous, but it'll take some time to absorb as deep as the stain!)
- Pressure wash from end to end across the surface using even strokes.
This is especially useful if you're preparing your concrete for protective sealers or planning to refresh your home maintenance checklist.
What Works (and What Doesn’t)
Not all household cleaners are good for concrete. Some are too harsh and can cause discoloration. Others just don’t cut through grease effectively.
Skip these products:
- Muriatic acid (can etch the concrete surface)
- Bleach (better for mold than oil)
- Harsh chemical cleaners not rated for outdoor use
Try these instead:
- EasyOff oven cleaner (works well for baked-in grease)
- Oil & Grease Stain Remover gels or sprays
- Prosoco Cleaner/Degreaser
- Meguiar’s Super Degreaser for auto-related grime
- Simple Green for a less abrasive cleaner
- A mix of boiling water and baking soda for an extra lift
Always test on a small patch of your concrete floor or garage surface first, and wear gloves if using stronger formulas.
FAQ
How do I remove car oil stains without a pressure washer?
Use absorbent materials followed by scrubbing with dish soap, laundry detergent, and hot water. For heavy stains, a chemical cleaner has worked better for us. Why? Because the formulas are made for oil stains. You can also try an automotive-safe degreaser with a stiff brush.
Can I prevent grease from soaking into concrete in the future?
Absolutely, sealing your concrete can help, but remember it needs to be done again over time. Concrete sealers reduce how quickly grease penetrates, making cleanup easier.
You can also use a drip pan under vehicles to catch leaks or place cardboard when doing vehicle maintenance at home.
