I don't mean Exxon Valdez type spills that require kitty litter. But small used motor oil, ATF, PS fluid spills from your own DYI jobs that may spot your driveway.
What do you use to clean up oil, fluid spills in the driveway?
- Thread starter Egg_Head
- Start date
I like to use Purple Power for that stuff.
Kitty Litter if needed, then Simple Green or Purple Power, a Nylon scrub brush and water. Add to that a power washer if needed.
I usually just fire a can of brake clean at it and call it done. Keeps the tarmac drive a lovely shade of many shades of black. 
I slide a tarp under the car which works well. I’ve also used a vinyl coated tablecloth but they don’t slide easily on broom brushed concrete.
Haven't figured it out yet, tried a few things, nothing seems to quite work. Brake cleaner and paper towel has worked best so far, but not great.
I try to do my work in the garage, on the concrete. That cleans up much better, is less visible, and less objectionable to boot.
I try to do my work in the garage, on the concrete. That cleans up much better, is less visible, and less objectionable to boot.
I use Dawn dish soap. I drizzle it onto the drip spots in the driveway and let it soak in. The next rain washes it away.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2024
I use foaming degreaser spray and a rag and brush. Takes it up right away.
I throw a big 2x2 ft piece of cardboard down to catch any spills, drips, or splashes. Even a old Pizza box works better than nothing. I get a few uses out of either one. If it gets to saturated, throwing it away costs nothing.,,
I keep a large sheet of cardboard for sliding under the car. [It even keeps my clothes cleaner.] Invariably there is some tiny spill when changing oil and that catches almost all of it. I have kitty litter if it extends beyond that - though I haven't needed to use it in years. A few flecks here and there disappear by natural processes (bacteria I assume).
Out here in the Summer oil drips and stains don't last long. They disappear very quickly. But overspray from tire shine appears every time the driveway gets wet.
The crescent shape overspray from 3 years ago still shows up when wet.... Then disappears as soon as it dries. Which takes about 5 minutes in this weather.
The crescent shape overspray from 3 years ago still shows up when wet.... Then disappears as soon as it dries. Which takes about 5 minutes in this weather.
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2022
- Messages
- 3,670
Exactly what I use….works pretty well, kitty litter alone. Blue dawn scrub only if excessive
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2024
Dawn, I just cleaned some up so I could seal my driveway.
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2022
- Messages
- 3,670
Dawn is like a miracle in a bottle. Hair cutter said use that on hair if you don’t have shampoo that removes chlorine (my son and I swim daily)
This stuff is like magic...not cheap but works better than Dawn, Purple Power, Spray Nine, Kitty Litter or a pressure washer.
Goof Off makes a product for oil spills. It works well on concrete or cement if the spill is fresh. It is worthless on old spills that have soaked in weeks or months previously. A workman very thoughtfully parked his truck on my driveway and leaked a couple of good sized spots. What the Goof Off didn't absorb was finished off with some Dawn DW soap scrubbed in with a nylon brush and hosed off after a few minutes.
Like others I prefer to prevent stains by using a drip tray when doing an oil change for example, and by addressing any spills ASAP. Getting the stains out before they have had a chance to set is most of the battle.
Like others I prefer to prevent stains by using a drip tray when doing an oil change for example, and by addressing any spills ASAP. Getting the stains out before they have had a chance to set is most of the battle.
