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Your driveway is often the first thing a visitor to your home notices, yet it’s often the most neglected part of your property. Vulnerable to stains and damage, it’s not uncommon for transmission fluids and oils to drip from your car and leave unsightly stains. 

Wondering how to remove car oil stains from a driveway quickly and inexpensively?

At LSL Surfacing, we have over two decades of experience in driveway surfacing. One common concern of our customers is pesky oil stains spoiling the look of their property. This guide gives quick, simple tips to help you clean oil stains from your driveway using readily available ingredients. 

Let’s explore how to clear car oil from a driveway. 

What Causes Oil Stains on a Driveway?

Before you can begin to clean car oil from a driveway, you need to identify the type of oil you’re dealing with. Some common car oils that stain your driveway are:

• Petrol
• Engine Oil
• Transmission Fluid 

So, how do these car fluids and lubricants leak onto your driveway?

It may be that your vehicle has developed an engine or transmission oil leak. Or, it may be other motorised equipment, such as a generator or lawnmower. If you conduct vehicle repairs and servicing at home, this is another common way for transmission fluid or lubricant spills to occur.

There’s also a risk of driveway staining if you use or store oil cans in your garage. If any oil is spilt, it can be spread onto the driveway via your car’s tyres. 

If you live in an area with poor drainage, rainwater can carry oil stains from nearby roads or parking lots to your driveway, leaving stains on the surface. 

Now we’ve looked at some possible causes, let’s explore some simple hacks to help clean oil stains from driveways.

How to Remove Car Oil Stains from Driveways

An internet search for ‘DIY remove oil stains from a driveway’ yields a dizzying number of solutions. We’ve simplified things for you by compiling a list of the best methods to clean oil from tarmac driveways and other surfaces using common household ingredients. 

1. Baking Soda

Baking soda is commonly found in most kitchens and can also help remove stubborn stains on your driveway. Mix baking soda with some water to create a thick paste. Ensure it’s not runny. Put the paste on the stain and let it sit for 20-30 minutes before scrubbing it with a hard brush. Make sure you put your full weight into it. Finally, wash it down with water.

If baking soda alone doesn’t do the job, add some vinegar to the mix. Baking soda and vinegar are a classic combination for removing stains.

2. Cat Litter

This solution is perfect for people with cats. Cat litter is made from highly absorbent clay and works best on fresh oil spills. To clean car oil from a driveway, you don’t have to use expensive cat litter. Pour it directly on the oil stain and let it sit for an hour or two. (Leaving it overnight gives the best results.)

Sweep away the litter with a broom or scoop it up using a garden shovel. Give the area a good scrub with a detergent or oven cleaner for a spotless driveway.

3. Laundry Detergent/Washing-Up Liquid

There are more common household items that can clean oil from a tarmac or asphalt driveway - another option is powdered laundry detergent and washing-up liquid. 

When using powdered detergent, mix it with warm water to create a paste. Give the spot a good scrub with a hard brush for at least 2 to 3 minutes. Let it sit on the stain for a few hours and give it a second scrub before washing it off with warm, clean water. 

Repeat the process on consecutive days to get the best result. Alternatively, you can use washing-up liquid mixed with warm water. Remember to properly rinse the area, as soapy water can cause accidents like slippage.

4. Degreaser (WD-40)

Every homeowner has to have a can of WD-40 handy. It acts as a universal degreaser and stain remover and works on the toughest oil spills. 

Start by soaking up the oil with some kitchen towels or cardboard. Next, generously spray the area with WD-40 and leave it for 30 minutes. Give the area a good scrub with a hard brush and wash it with plenty of water.

If you still notice some light stains, use baking soda and water or cat litter to absorb the remaining oil. Give it a thorough wash. WD-40 works on all types of driveway surfaces, including concrete and can even work on old, rusty stains. 

If you don’t have WD-40, you can purchase concrete cleaner from your local DIY shop. However, this product can’t be used on asphalt or tarmac driveway surfaces.

5. Sawdust

Sawdust is a great absorbent and works well to clean oil stains from driveways. Buy some sawdust from a DIY or home improvement shop and sprinkle it on the oil stain. Let the sawdust absorb the oil for 30 minutes or more. Sweep off the sawdust with a broom. 

You can then use baking soda, detergent or WD-40 on the stain and give it a good scrub. For more difficult stains, leave the product on for a few hours before giving it a good wash.

You can repeat the process after a few days to get the best results.

Contact LSL Surfacing for Driveway Resurfacing Solutions

It is possible to clean oil stains from a driveway with household ingredients, and the sooner you detect a stain and work on it, the faster you can remove it. Old stains usually require more effort and repeated attempts. 

Are you looking to resurface your property’s driveway? Our team at LSL Surfacing can assist you. Backed by 25 years of experience, we provide the best solutions for all your driveway surfacing needs. 

Our surface dressing solutions are available in Bedfordshire, Suffolk and Hertfordshire. 

Call us on 01223 420369 or 07522 830636 for more information.