How to Remove Oil and Grease Stains from Concrete and Garage Floors
Professional step-by-step instructions for removing motor oil from concrete. Includes supplies, timing, and safety warnings.
Supplies You'll Need
- Cat litter (clay-based)
- Commercial degreaser (Purple Power, Zep, Oil Eater)
- TSP (trisodium phosphate)
- Stiff deck brush
- Pressure washer or garden hose
- Concrete sealer
Step-by-Step Instructions
Absorb Fresh Oil Immediately
For fresh spills: cover completely with cat litter (cheap clay litter works best), cornstarch, or baking soda. Grind it into the stain with your foot. Let it absorb for 4–24 hours, then sweep up.
Apply Degreaser
Apply a commercial degreaser (Purple Power, Zep Heavy-Duty Citrus Degreaser, or Oil Eater) full-strength to the stain. Let it dwell for 15–30 minutes. For stubborn stains, use TSP (trisodium phosphate) mixed at 1/2 cup per gallon of hot water.
Scrub with Stiff Brush
Scrub the stain aggressively with a stiff-bristled deck brush or wire brush. Concrete is tough enough to handle aggressive scrubbing. Apply more degreaser as needed while scrubbing.
Rinse and Assess
Rinse with a garden hose (pressure washer is ideal if available). Once dry, check if the stain has lightened. For old, deep stains, you may need to repeat the degreaser treatment 2–3 times.
Poultice for Deep, Old Stains
For stains that have penetrated deep into concrete: make a poultice of cat litter soaked in degreaser and pile it onto the stain. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit overnight. The poultice draws oil out of the concrete pores as it dries.
Seal the Concrete
After the stain is removed, apply a concrete sealer to prevent future oil penetration. Sealed concrete is dramatically easier to clean.
What NOT to Do
Never ignore fresh oil spills (they penetrate deeper every day)
Never use gasoline as a degreaser (extreme fire hazard)
Never use muriatic acid for oil stains (it does not dissolve petroleum)
If the Stain Persists
Old oil stains that have penetrated years into unsealed concrete may be permanent. Professional pressure washing with heated water and industrial degreasers can significantly improve but may not fully remove deep stains.
Years of garage floor oil stains? Beyond Clean Team uses commercial pressure washing and industrial-strength degreasers to restore concrete. We also offer concrete sealing to prevent future stains. Get your garage floor looking new — contact us for a quote.
Prevention Tips
Park on a drip pan or oil mat in the garage
Seal concrete garage floors with epoxy coating
Fix vehicle leaks promptly
Place cardboard under vehicles actively leaking while awaiting repair
Other Stains on Concrete
What Our Clients Say
41 five-star reviews on Google
“Carol and her team did an amazing job. They are very well organized and saved me so much time on cleaning. 10/10 experience!!!”
“The team arrived on time, was very professional, and left my home spotless. They paid attention to detail, were efficient, and went above and beyond t...”
“Excellent cleaning service! Very professional, thorough, and left my place looking brand new. Highly recommend.”
Let the Professionals Handle It
Beyond Clean Team uses commercial-grade equipment and surface-specific treatments to eliminate stains that DIY methods can't touch. Guaranteed results or your money back.