Having an Minneapolis MN asphalt driveway gives your property a huge boost in curb appeal. Being one of the many benefits of using asphalt, its ability to make your home beautiful makes it a popular choice.
However, if your asphalt driveway has stains from oil and grease, it can easily become an eyesore. Not only that, big oil and grease stains in your driveway or garage can make its way into your home, potentially ruining your carpet and spreading everywhere else.
Fortunately, while these oil stains can seem impossible to remove, there are ways you can eliminate them using common household products and a little bit of elbow grease.
Let’s take a look at these common household products you can use to remove oil stains from your asphalt easily.
Dish soap is a go-to cleaning product when it comes to removing oil and grease, be it on dishes or on your asphalt. To use, simply pour a generous amount over the stains, add a little bit of water, and scrub the pavement with a hard bristle brush. Then, rinse it using a garden hose to remove the suds. Repeat the process if necessary to remove all the stains.
Powdered detergent is an effective item to remove stains on clothes, but can also be used on other surfaces like your pavement. To use, sprinkle the stain with the powder until it’s completely covered. Add a little bit of water and scrub the pavement with a stiff brush. Then, let sit for an hour to give time for the detergent to penetrate. After an hour, spray it off and repeat if necessary.
While not intended for cleaning purposes, cat litter proves to be effective in grease and oil stains in asphalt pavements. After mopping excess oil, then sprinkle the cat litter on top of the stain. Stomp on the litter to ensure it can reach deep down the surface. Then, leave it overnight before sweeping it off and spraying the surface with water the next day.
Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on top of the oil stain, and add a bit of water to get it slightly wet. Then, brush the stain using a circular motion until the stain begins to come up. Once done, rinse it off with water and repeat the process if necessary.
Spray this product onto the oil stain and let it sit for about 30 minutes. WD-40 is strong enough to not require scrubbing to remove the stain. If needed, you can choose to scrub the surface with a hard bristle brush before rinsing it off with water after another 30 minutes.
Another potent product to use, an oven cleaner can be sprayed on asphalt oil stains. Let it sit for 5 - 10 minutes before scrubbing with a hard brush, and spray with a hose to rinse it off.
Cola can be used to remove the remaining oil stains after cleaning the top layer of stains using the methods mentioned earlier. To use, pour a can of soda (any brand) onto the dry oil stain. Let it sit for 6 hours to let it seep through the asphalt. Then, pour one more can of soda onto the stains and scrub the area with a hard brush. Let it sit for another hour before spraying it of with water.
The methods we’ve discussed so far should be enough to remove tough oil and grease on your asphalt pavement. However, most of them work best on fresh stains. You can still use these methods for old stains to make it less noticeable, though it may take several attempts to get results.
If you wish to try more than one of these methods, make sure not to combine them at the same time. Some chemicals don’t mix well and can be hazardous.
While the above methods are definitely effective, there are cases where they may not be enough, and you must consider using other options.
One thing you can do is to use an industrial-strength degreaser such as Simple Green. This type of product is specifically designed to remove tough stains on surfaces like asphalt and will get the job done faster and easier.
If your asphalt is riddled with stains and has become a complete eyesore, you can consider hiring an paving company for an asphalt overlay. This way, the top part of your asphalt is removed and you’ll get a fresh top layer of asphalt that is free from cracks, potholes, and oil stains.
As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. Instead of dealing with the process of removing oil stains from your asphalt, a better approach is to prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Sealcoating your asphalt can prevent oil and grease from penetrating your pavement and making a mark. Not only that, driveway sealcoating keeps your asphalt protected from elements like water, air, and UV rays, all of which can cause damage to your asphalt.
While sealcoating prevents stains from oil and grease that can make your asphalt driveway look bad, it also gives your pavement a clean black color that keeps it looking brand new for a longer period of time.
Asphalt makes any driveway look better. With proper maintenance, it can give your home a cleaner, sharper, pulled-together look for all your neighbors to see. Don’t let oil stains ruin its appearance and possibly cause safety hazards. Follow the methods we’ve given and get rid of any stains to keep your asphalt driveway or concrete driveway looking brand new. If you have any other problems contact us the leading company that specializes in driveway paving in Princeton.
If you need help maintaining or restoring your asphalt parking lot, don’t hesitate to call Erickson Asphalt Services to ensure your driveway is in its best condition. As the leading asphalt contractor in Minnesota for 30 years, we have the tools, expertise, and team to handle your asphalt needs.
