How to Remove Gas & Oil Stains From an Asphalt Driveway
Asphalt is a combination of gravel and tar and is commonly used to cover driveways. Asphalt sees a variety of stains, especially those caused by leaking fluids from vehicles. Gas and oil are two common items that stain asphalt driveways.
Not only will gas and oil stain the asphalt, they will also eat away at the driveway surface. Gas and oil should be removed from the asphalt as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your driveway.
Things You Will Need
- Clumping cat litter
- Dustpan
- Broom
- Garbage bag
- Rubber gloves
- Bucket
- Trisodium phosphate
- Long-handled scrub brush
- Water hose
Tip
Trisodium phosphate (TSP) is a heavy-duty cleaner, degreaser and mold killer that is available at home improvement centers and department stores.
Warning
To dispose of TSP, turn on your sink’s faucet and allow cool water to run for several seconds. Slowly pour the TSP down the drain. Allow the water to continue to run for several seconds after all the TSP has gone down the drain. When the allotted time has passed, turn off the water.
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Cover the oil and gas stains with clumping cat litter. The cat litter must cover the gas and oil completely. Allow the cat litter to sit on the stains for several hours.
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Remove the cat litter by sweeping it into a dustpan with a broom. The cat litter will have acted as an absorbent and soaked up the gas and oil residue. Discard the cat litter into a garbage bag.
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Pull on a pair of rubber gloves to prevent skin irritation. Fill a bucket with one gallon of water. Add one-half cup of trisodium phosphate to the water and mix with a wooden spoon.
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Saturate the work end of a long-handled scrub brush in the mixture. Scrub the gas and oil stains vigorously with the brush. Continue saturating the brush in the mixture and scrubbing the asphalt until the gas and oil stains are no longer visible.
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Rinse the asphalt driveway clean with a water hose. Repeat the process if needed.
The Drip Cap
- Asphalt is a combination of gravel and tar and is commonly used to cover driveways.
- Allow the cat litter to sit on the stains for several hours.
- The cat litter will have acted as an absorbent and soaked up the gas and oil residue.
- Rinse the asphalt driveway clean with a water hose.
References
Writer Bio
Amanda Flanigan began writing professionally in 2007. Flanigan has written for various publications, including WV Living and American Craft Council, and has published several eBooks on craft and garden-related subjects. Flanigan completed two writing courses at Pierpont Community and Technical College.
Photo Credits
- PHOTO 24/Photodisc/Getty Images
- PHOTO 24/Photodisc/Getty Images
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