How can I remove a very large oil-stain off my sidewalk?

Question

It is used cooking oil that spilled from the gargage.
I already attempted to scrub it up with amonia and dish liquid with no success.

Answer 1

Use Muriatic Acid. It's actually a hydrochloric acid. It's available in one gallon jugs, much like the jug that windshield washer comes in. It will leave a bright clean spot in its place for a while, but it will eventually weather in to match the rest.

Answer 2

Difficult one... if it is clean oil it should almost completely be removed with just a degreaser or even soap powder and scrubbed with a brush. It it is used engine oil then it is very difficult as the oil will carry the black component into the pores of the concrete itself.
First degrease it to stop it spreading and try any water high pressure machine to get into it... but I don't like your chances. Possibly ask a bricklayer to try the acid they use to clean up bricks once layed.

Answer 3

The hardware store sells an industrial strength SpicandSpan. It works. Pour it directly on the oil stain and leave it to set for a while then scrub with a stiff brush.

Answer 4

Baby powder or Talcum powder works wonders getting oil out of fabric, I don't see why it wouldn't get it out of a sidewalk? Follow with liquid dishwashing detergent and a scrubbing brush. Liquid dishwashing detergent is specially designed for oils, so it should help get it out. Use a strong pressure from a hose to rinse.

Answer 5

Amazingly enough, try using coca cola.

My boyfriend works on cars all the time and when he spills car oil on the driveway his mom gets pretty angry((he still lives at home - as do i...we only just turned 20))

ANYWAYS...he usually pours a can of coke over the oil and it somehow eats away at it.

Or, try putting some sand over the area also...the sand absorbs the extra oil thats on the ground - ((Maybe even a mixture of sand and baking soda..baking soda is a great cleaner!!))

Answer 6

I actually like kitty liter for this job because it absorbs the excess oil that penetrated into the concrete. Leave it for a little while, you will see it change color, sweep it up. Once I have all of the oil absorbed, then it is really easy to simply use a degreaser of any sort like even dishwashing soap (Dawn works well) to "erase" the remainder.

Answer 7

in basic terms take some baking soda, blend it with an rather small volume of vinegar to make a paste, and then positioned it on the carpet with an previous toothbrush. enable it to dry, then vacuum. If the stain is quite bumped off or lightened up, repeat back. Or small volume of Swarfega or WD-40. properly worth sorting out an rather small volume of those issues to ascertain what works superb. Have additionally heard of the brown paper and iron technique.

Answer 8

Muratic acid scrub followed by rinse, trisidium Phosphate (TSP) scrub, rinse again, let dry, repeat on any visible spots, and let dry overnite. In dry weather, spread mortar (cement) mix over the spot and broom it in till it comes out dry! (comes out so nice u might continue to broom the mortar over the whole slab 4 that "new" look" and may have to cause the spot will stand out looking new!

Answer 9

If the oil has set you only have one option thar I can see.
Go to your local pool store and get a gallon of muriatic acid.
Use plenty of ventilation ,protective clothing,[gloves ,goggles]
and scrub with a stiff brush .[a broom works well]. then rinse with LOTS of water.

Answer 10

Some people say to use cat litter and let it stay on it, for a few days. You can also go to home depot and they sell concrete cleaner, that might help.