Oil stains on asphalt can be unsightly and difficult to remove. If you have an oil stain on your asphalt driveway or parking lot, there are a few things you can do to remove the oil stains. Here’s a quick breakdown of the process:

• Cover the stain with sawdust, sand, or cat litter and let it sit overnight.
• Use a degreasing agent such as dish soap, laundry detergent, or trisodium phosphate.
• Use a pressure washer to remove the stain.
• Purchase an oil stain remover.

Below we talk about the benefits of each and how each one helps remove oil stains.

Step One: Cover the Oil Stain

The first step in cleaning an oil stain is covering it with absorbent material. This prevents the oil from spreading further and absorbs excess oil. You can use sawdust, sand, cat litter, or another absorbent material. We recommend cat litter because it was designed to absorb liquid. 

For best results, leave the oil stain covered overnight. Once you’re able to address the stain, you’ll find that it’s much easier to remove. We recommend keeping sand, or cat litter handy especially if you work with oil frequently.

Step Two: Apply a Degreasing Agent

Degreasing agents can help to break down oil stains, making them easier to remove. When you are ready to apply your degreasing agent, make sure to remove the cat litter from earlier than, follow the tips below:

1. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and follow them accurately.
2. Always test the degreaser on a small area of the asphalt before applying it to the entire stain.
3. Use a rough or stiff brush and water with it for the best results.

Step 3: Use a Pressure Washer

A pressure washer is a great tool when it comes to all things cleaning, and they are especially handy in removing oil stains from asphalt. If you follow the first two steps, the oil stain should come right out by using a pressure washer. If you don’t have a pressure washer, you can just use a garden hose with a brush to finish removing the stain. 

There are a lot of companies that offer oil remover, but we have found that the above tips with common household items work just as well.

Final Thoughts On Oil Stain Cleanup

We hope that these tips will help you know how to clean oil off your asphalt driveway, with any current and future oil stains from asphalt that you may have or get. With a little elbow grease, you should be able to get the oil stains lifted up and removed from your asphalt.

If you have asphalt pavement with old oil stains on it and it’s cracking and breaking up in several places due to weather, time, and lack of maintenance then it might be time to get some new asphalt paving done.

About Top Job

If you are looking for top-notch quality asphalt and concrete services for commercial, residential, and municipal projects, contact Top Job. We are always looking for ways to perform our work more efficiently and cost-effectively while also remaining eco-friendly. We pride ourselves on small-town style customer service which means you are always treated like family. If you are looking for a new asphalt driveway we would love to give you a free estimate.