How to Remove Oil From Paver Stones
Oil drips and spills can stain driveways and patios if not cleaned up promptly. Proper cleaning techniques are important for removing these stains completely.
Whether your car leaked automotive oil on your concrete paver driveway or you've spilled cooking oil from the grill on your brick patio, the best way to remove the oil is to absorb it with some type of absorbent powder and then scrub the area with a detergent or degreaser. Act as quickly as possible to clean the spill since the porous surface of both bricks and pavers will pull the oil down into the material. You'll need to pull the oil back out of the stones and then clean away any dirt that was carried into the surface along with the oil.
Things You Will Need
- Clean rags
- Absorbent material, such as kitty litter
- Broom
- Detergent or degreaser
- Scrub brush
- Hot water
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Wipe up the spill with a clean rag, removing as much oil from the surface as you can before it soaks into the pavers. Be sure to absorb the oil with the cloth, but don't rub the stain as this will smear the oil over more of the pavers.
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Sprinkle an absorbent material such as cat litter, diatomaceous earth or talc powder over the stained area. Allow the absorbent material to sit on the stain for 24 hours and then sweep it up.
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Apply a detergent, degreaser or oil remover to the pavers to remove any remaining dirt or oil. Allow the detergent to soak in for a few minutes and then use a scrub brush to thoroughly clean the area.
- Always test detergent and other solvents on a discreet area before using them on your pavers. Some cleaning agents may cause additional staining. * Oil-based stains from deck stain may need to be tackled with a store-bought graffiti remover to get rid of the coloration.
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Rinse away the detergent with hot water and allow the pavers to dry. If you can still see the stain when the pavers are dry, apply more detergent and try scrubbing them again. Removing all of the stain may require several attempts.
- It may be impossible to completely remove the stain, especially if the oil that spilled onto the pavers was extremely dirty. Pavers that won't come clean can be replaced individually as can stubbornly stained bricks. * Once you have the pavers or bricks clean, consider sealing them to prevent future oil accidents from soaking in.
Wipe It Up
Soak It Up
Scrub Up
Tip
Rinse It Off
Tip
Check out this related video.
References
Writer Bio
Writing professionally since 2008, Michelle Miley specializes in home and garden topics but frequently pens career, style and marketing pieces. Her essays have been used on college entrance exams and she has more than 4,000 publishing credits. She holds an Associate of Applied Science in accounting, having graduated summa cum laude.
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