How To Remove Oil Stains From an Asphalt Driveway
Scrubbed away
- Hard bristle brush
- water hose
- Powdered laundry detergent, or
- Dish soap, or
- Cat litter, or
- Baking soda, or
- WD-40, or
Stubborn oil stains on your asphalt driveway are annoying, ugly, and unsafe. Luckily, you can remove them with common household items such as powdered detergent, dish soap, cat litter, baking soda, WD-40, oven cleaner, and cola. For more stubborn stains, an industrial-level degreaser would do the trick. Unless the stain has seeped too deep through the surface, you can remove it yourself without hiring a professional.
Prep the Surface
Remove your cars or any other obstacle in the area before cleaning. This ensures an unobstructed and safe working environment. Then, do a quick dry sweep to remove rocks, leaves, and other debris.
Apply Degreaser or Household Grease Removers
Photo: ABGlavin / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty ImagesThen, apply your chosen household cleaning supply. Here are a few common options:
Powdered detergent
Baking soda
Dish soap
Cat Litter
Oven cleaner
WD-40
Coke
If using a powdered ingredient, make sure to lay down enough that the stain is thoroughly covered, then add water. If using a liquid ingredient, pour a generous amount so the solution can fully react with the oil stain.
For more stubborn or chemical oil stains, you can also use products specifically designed for asphalt cleaning or an industrial-grade degreaser.
Scrub with a Hardbrush
With a hard bristle brush or scrub, gently but firmly scrub the stained area. This helps the cleaning solution penetrate the surface and remove the stain more thoroughly. Move the brush back and forth in a small motion but at high speed. You should be able to hear an abrasive sound as you move across the stained area. You might need to re-apply the cleaning solution during this process for a more thorough cleaning.
Rinse the Surface Clean
Once the stain is removed, you can rinse the surface with a garden hose. You can also pressure wash your asphalt driveway, but make sure to set the pressure to the lowest and avoid aiming at one spot for too long. Let the water naturally dry. You may need to repeat the process if the stain is too stubborn.
Mistakes to Avoid
Just because it doesn’t seem like the stain is damaging your asphalt driveway doesn’t mean it isn’t. A common mistake is neglecting an oil stain when first discovered. Maybe the stain is too small to ring an alarm, or perhaps it is usually covered by your car and not visible to the public. However, the longer you wait, the more likely the oil stain will corrode the asphalt, which eventually leads to more expensive repair.
When to Clean Your Asphalt Driveway
Since asphalt's temperature rises quickly on hot days under the sun, it’s best to clean your asphalt driveway during cooler hours, such as in the early morning or in the evening before the sun fully sets. Clean your asphalt driveway when it has been dry for a few days because rain and moisture only make it harder to remove the oil stain and can interfere with your cleaning agents. Ideally, you should clean your asphalt driveway at least twice a year in spring and fall.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
You can remove most oil stains from an asphalt driveway yourself. However, if the stain is too stubborn or has already caused physical damage to the driveway’s surface, it’s best to hire an asphalt company for cleaning and repair.
Oil stains may take as short as six months to eat through the surface of your asphalt driveway. The corroded area often shows holes in the asphalt. At that point, you should hire a professional to refill the missing asphalt.
You shouldn’t directly paint over an oil stain on your asphalt driveway. While painting over might visually conceal the stain, the oil will continue to damage the driveway. Once you’ve noticed the oil stain, it’s important to thoroughly remove it within the next few months since oil stains only take six months before they begin to damage the structure of your asphalt driveway.
You can hire a landscaper to clean up your asphalt driveway or make minor repairs. You can also hire a company that specializes in asphalt driveway installation and repair. For cleaning jobs, most landscapers charge by the hour. Pressure washing a driveway costs between $100 to $350, but spot treatments and refilling damaged asphalt will cost extra.
A gravel driveway is far more tolerant against impact and chemical damage. However, it is less sturdier compared to solid surfaces like asphalt and concrete. Compared to asphalt, gravel is significantly more affordable. A gravel driveway costs between $500 and $3,500 on average, whereas an asphalt driveway costs between $3,124 and $7,377 on average. Be sure to evaluate the pros and cons of each before making a decision.
