How to Remove Oil Stains from Concrete

Keep your concrete spotless.

Concrete is a durable material that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. However, it is not immune to staining, especially from oil and other liquids. If your concrete has stains, you’ll want to clean them as soon as possible to prevent them from setting in. Luckily, there are a few different ways to remove oil and other stains from concrete.

Cleaning your concrete is important not just because it improves the aesthetic beauty of your floor. It can also affect any future renovations or epoxy installations you might do on the concrete. Leaving these oil stains on your concrete can result in seepage into the epoxy system later on and cause issues like peeling.

Materials to Remove Oil Stains From Concrete

To remove oil and other stains from concrete, you’ll need:

– A concrete cleaner / degreaser. We recommend using products like the Xtreme Clean Concrete Cleaner or the Simix Multi-Surface Cleaner, which are both effective and safe.

– A stiff brush. You might need a stronger and larger broom than your average household broom, in which case you could use the Spartacote Application Broom for your cleaning needs.

– A pressure washer (optional).

– Protective gear, including nitrile gloves and N95 masks.

How to Remove Oil Stains From Concrete

Step 1: Prep the Area

Before you start cleaning, you’ll need to prep the area. Make sure to remove any debris or obstructions, and put on your gloves and safety glasses. While you’re prepping the area, you can take note of whatever problem areas you have. If there’s any fresh oil stains, you can clean those with a rag and some baking soda before tackling the older stains.

If the concrete is covered in a thick layer of oil or grease, you may want to use a concrete oil remover like a degreaser to help break it down. Just spray the degreaser onto the concrete and let it sit for a few minutes before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Scrub the Concrete

Once you’ve prepped the area, it’s time to start scrubbing the concrete. Use a stiff brush and concrete cleaner to scrub the entire surface. If you’re dealing with a large area, you may need to divide it into sections and work on one section at a time.

Be sure to scrub vigorously to loosen any stubborn stains. If necessary, you can use a pressure washer at a low pressure to remove any remaining dirt or debris. Just be careful not to damage the concrete in the process.

Step 3: Pressure Wash (Optional)

If the above doesn’t fully clean your concrete floor, you can break out the pressure washer. Concrete is an incredibly strong flooring solution, but that doesn’t mean you should use wash it at the highest pressure.

Concrete can still be prone to cracking and other issues, so be more conservative with your pressure washing and only use enough pressure to spot clean.

Step 4: Rinse the Area

After scrubbing the concrete, rinse it thoroughly with water to remove all of the cleaner and debris. Be sure to rinse off any surrounding areas as well, since concrete cleaner can be harmful if it comes into contact with skin or eyes.

Final Steps

After cleaning the concrete, allow it to dry completely before moving back in or parking your car in the garage. If you have any remaining oil or grease stains, you can treat them with a concrete stain remover.

Learn to Maintain & Remove Oil Stains from Concrete

Here at Polished Concrete University, you can sign up for a 5 day course where you get a chance to learn everything you need to know about working with concrete floors from experienced professionals. In the class, we’ll cover:

• Patching and repairing concrete
• Cleaning concrete
• Making polished concrete floor finishes

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Conclusion

With a little elbow grease, you can remove oil stains from concrete. Just be sure to take the necessary precautions and use the right materials to avoid damaging the concrete.

If you need any additional help with cleaning concrete, removing oil stains from concrete or otherwise working with concrete floors, contact us at (954) 228-8856. From finishing polished concrete, to installing epoxy, and epoxy and concrete floor maintenance, you can find it on our EpoxyETC store.