Whether you are a mechanic or car owner, knowing how to remove old stains from garage floor is essential. This is because the garage is where repair and maintenance procedures are done, so oil leaks on the garage floor are inevitable. There is no way to carry out processes like engine oil change, suspension works, CV joint changing, and greasing, without having some oil stains on the garage floor. If not properly cleaned, these oil stains can mess up the garage floor, and after a while, the whole floor could become an eyesore. You can avoid this eventuality by learning about the best ways to clean the old oil stains. All you need to do is to read the rest of this article.
How To Remove Old Oil Stains From Garage Floor:
Old oil stains on garage floors are still common despite the abundance of methods that can be used to remove these stains. Sometimes this happens because the wrong method was used. Oil stains become more stubborn the longer they stay, so what worked for a week-old oil stain may probably not work for an older oil stain. This section of the article describes several methods that you could use to remove old oil stains from your garage floor. That way, you can decide on the method that best suits your situation.
The Concentrated Soap Method
You could use a concentrated washing soap at full strength to remove old oil stains from your garage. You just have to be careful so that the vapors do not get into your eyes. It is a great way to clean oil from the epoxy garage floor. Here is how you go about it:
Put some of the concentrated soap on the oil stain and let it soak for a while. You then scrub the old oil stain with the concentrated soap as hard as you can with a stiff brush, preferably a tub brush. After doing this, rinse the spot that you have been scrubbing with a hose. Set the pressure high so that the stream is strong enough. After about a minute or two, check to see if the stain is gone. If it is still there, repeat the process until you are satisfied with the outcome.
The Cat Litter Method
Ensure that it covers the area with the oil stain and try to grind it into the oil stain. Then you leave the oil for anything between an hour to several hours (even overnight), depending on how old the oil stain is. You then get rid of the litter after it has stayed for a while.
Have a go at the oil stain using concentrated liquid soap and a stiff brush. Be generous with your application of the soap. Then rinse the area with a strong stream. Check for the oil stain and repeat where necessary.
The TSP Method
TSP is short for Trisodium phosphate. Before using this chemical, ensure that you use eye protection and rubber gloves. Start by adding a cup of TSP to a gallon of hot water. You then pour some of the diluted TSP on the oil stain and let it soak for between 20 to 30 minutes. Use a stiff brush to scrub the area for a while after which you rinse the mixture. Repeat the process until you are satisfied with the outcome.
The Bioremediation Method
This is an eco-friendly method that involves using microorganisms as oil stain removers to remove stubborn oil stains. It might take longer than the other methods, but it is arguably the most effortless method since there is no need to exert energy scrubbing the oil stain. It is one of the best ways to remove oil stains from concrete floors.
Use a pump sprayer to apply the microbial oil stain remover. This remover often comes in powder form and often requires a dash of moisture to activate the micro-organisms. Allow the solution time to absorb the oil and do its magic. Depending on how old the stain is, you might let it rest for any time between 24 hours to a week.
After the solution has absorbed the oil, sweep it away, then wash the area with soap and water. This method is so effective that the most time you might be required to apply the solution is twice.
The Concrete Degreaser Method

This method is also best suited for old oil stains that have defied other methods. The trick is to use the right stain remover. Here is one of the tips on how to remove old oil stains from concrete:
Use hot water to wet the affected area. Make a concentrated solution of the degreaser, which you then pour directly on the stain. After allowing the degreaser to soak for a few minutes(at least 5minutes), begin to scrub the area as hard as you can. Ensure that the degreaser does not dry while you are scrubbing it. Apply more degreaser if need be. After scrubbing for a while, sweep up the mixture, then rinse the area.
How to Prevent Old Oil Stains From Garage Floor
Oil leaks and garage floors are inseparable. But there is a way to keep your garage floor safe from old oil stains: prevention. With the right prevention method, you could secure your garage from oil leaks that have the potential to mess up the place. Here are two methods you could use.
The Oil Stain Blocker Method
Here is how you go about this method. Try to get rid of old oil stains using some of the methods described above. You might opt for pressure washing or the good old tag team of brush and degreaser. It all depends on the floor. The next step is to spray on the oil stain blocker of your choice using the right tools. If you have to spray small runs, you might need to spray the area twice after a minute interval. If the run is large, just spray on it until you are satisfied with the work. When properly applied, the product will prevent stains from water, chemicals, and oil leakage. The best part of this method is that it does not damage the floor.
Garage Floor Oil Mat
Using this method is pretty straightforward. They come in different shapes and sizes, so all you need to do is place them under the vehicle, lawnmower, and engine parts that might stain your garage floor. Garage floor oil mats are durable enough to protect the garage floor from a range of pollutants like water, gas, battery acid, and oil. So when applied correctly, you eliminate the costs of buying cleaning products or hiring professional cleaners
FAQS
Q: Does WD 40 remove oil stains from concrete?
Ans: Yes, WD-40 is effective in removing oil stains from concrete. However, its effectiveness is limited to how old the oil stain is. That said, there are more effective methods of removing oil stains from concrete.
Q: Is it possible to remove old oil stains?
Ans: Although old oil stains can be stubborn, they can be removed using a couple of methods. The method you choose to use depends on the type of floor and how old the stain is.
Q: How do you remove old grease stains from concrete?
Ans: It is simple. Just follow these steps:
- Put some clay kitty litter all over the old grease stain, then let it stay that way for at least a day. You can protect the area from the weather where necessary.
- Next, you sweep away the kitty litter and safely dispose of it.
- You then pour some dish soap over the area with the old grease stain.
- Next, you wet the area with hot water, after which you scrub with a stiff brush or broom
- Rinse off the mixture
- If the stain persists, cover it with oven cleaner and leave it that way overnight
- Rinse off the area the next morning.
Q: Does vinegar remove oil stains from concrete?
Ans: Yes, it does because vinegar is a natural degreaser. Using vinegar is similar to the process of removing oil from concrete using baking soda.
To remove oil stains from concrete using vinegar, sprinkle a significant amount of sawdust over the oil stain and let it rest on the stain for a long time. Sweep up the oil-soaked sawdust, after which you sprinkle some washing soda (about half a teaspoon) in a bucket. Add about 2 cups of water, a quarter tablespoon of liquid dish detergent, and 2 tablespoonfuls of white vinegar. Pour some of this solution on what’s left of the oil stain. Scrub the mixture for a while before rinsing with water. Repeat until you get the level of cleanliness.
Q: Does Coca-Cola remove oil stains from concrete?
Ans: Yes, you can use Coca-Cola to remove oil stains from concrete. Say, for instance, you notice some oil stains on the concrete floor of your garage or driveway; you may not have to fret over getting a commercial garage floor cleaner/degreaser. A can of Coca-Cola that is not extremely cold or hot(room temperature is best) will do the trick. Here is “how to remove oil stains from concrete” with coke. Simply pour the can(or two depending on the stain’s size)on the stain and let the mix sit for as long as possible. After some time has elapsed, wipe and rinse away the mixture. You will find that the oil stain is gone.
Q: “Does Dawn dish soap remove oil from concrete”?
Ans: Yes, it does. Dawn dish soap like baking soda is one other homemade solution to removing oil from concrete. Dawn is one of the most popular common soaps used to remove oil stains. The concept behind its operation is simple. It emulsifies the stain by blending with the oil, which it lifts away from the surface. You can then easily clean the oil using cleaning equipment like a broom or brush to mix the resulting sticky stuff which you can then scrub away and rinse off.
Final Words
Knowing how to remove old oil stains from the garage floor is very important if you own or work at a garage. This is because the garage is often home to cars and other automobiles. Beyond serving as a space for parking these vehicles, the garage is also reserved for vehicular repairs and maintenance. Due to the nature of the tasks performed in a garage, there are bound to be oil spills that could make the garage floor real messy. Hopefully, having read this article to this point, you now know enough to keep your garage floor as clean as possible.
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Can several year oil stains be removed enough to epoxy coat the floor or will it need to be ground slightly, and then acid washed.