Keeping your garage floor clean from dirt, debris, and many other substances is important. Your garage is like a house for your car, so just as you want clean floors in your home, you’ll also want your car to be able to stay clean when it isn’t being used. One substance that can be tricky to remove from your garage floor if left alone too long is oil. Luckily, you will learn how to remove oil stains from garage floor by reading this blog.
How Do Oil Stains Get On Garage Floor?
You’re probably wondering how oil stains could end up on a garage floor in the first place. Oil can spill on the garage floor when your car has a degraded engine or leaks from oil pans or seals. These are the two leading causes behind why you might suddenly find oil spilling onto your garage floor.
Why Remove Oil Stains From Garage Floor?
Aside from creating a fall risk, stepping in oil stains on the garage floor can damage your shoe and home floors if they track inside. Letting oil sit on a concrete garage floor can lead to lasting damage since concrete is a rather absorbent material. Finally, removing the oil stains as soon as possible will make them less likely to become permanent.
How To Remove Oil Stains From Garage Floor: 3 Methods
Now that you know how oil stains end up on a garage floor and why they need to be removed, it’s time to learn how to remove oil stains from garage floor. There are actually multiple different methods for how to remove oil stains from garage floor. Three of these methods include the following:
1. Powdered Laundry Detergent
The first way to go about how to remove oil stains from garage floor is to use powdered laundry detergent. For this method, you’ll need to collect as much oil as possible off the garage floor to prevent additional stains. Once you’ve dabbed as much oil as possible off the garage floor, you can start using the powdered laundry detergent.
The detergent will need to be mixed with warm water until it’s as soapy as possible. As soon as it’s sufficiently soapy, pour it onto the oil stain, then dab some additional detergent powder on top before letting it sit for a few minutes. After sitting for a few minutes, scrub the stain by using a brush with stiff bristles. When finished, you’ll wash it all away with water. Make sure the pressure is as high as possible for maximum effectiveness.
2. Degreasers
If you aren’t keen on using powdered laundry detergent, then degreasers are another option for removing oil stains from a garage floor. You can use either eco-friendly or industrial degreasers to remove oil stains from your garage floor. Eco-friendly degreaser is recommended for small oil stains, while industrial degreasers should be used for bigger oil stains.
You’ll need to wear rubber gloves and eye protection to apply either kind of degreaser. After getting rid of excess oil, use a scraper or broom to sweep up any debris. At this point, apply the degreaser to the areas with oil stains. Ensure it’s thoroughly covered for at least eight hours before sweeping and cleaning. The oil stains will likely disappear after a few days.
3. Cat Litter
Finally, this last way to approach how to remove oil stains from garage floor utilizes cat litter. This approach is especially convenient if you already have a cat. This home remedy requires cat litter, dish soap, and a wire scrub brush.
Cover the stains with the cat litter, so it absorbs all the oil, and let it sit overnight for maximum effectiveness. The next day, use the dish soap to saturate or break up the stains for the next hour, after which you will clean it up by moving the wire scrub brush in circles. Repeat this step until the stains are gone, then rinse with water and dry.
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Now that you know how to remove oil stains from garage floor, you can keep your garage clean like a pro. Of course, some garage issues require a professional’s attention and can’t be solved with a DIY approach. Contact us today at Garage Door Repair Houston for all your serious garage door needs!
