How To Remove Oil From Cement With Vinegar

By  Mary Ylisela

Things Needed

  • Sawdust

  • Broom

  • Dustpan

  • Garbage bag

  • Bucket

  • 1/2 tsp. washing soda

  • 2 tbsp. white vinegar

  • 1/4 tsp. liquid dish detergent

  • Spoon

  • Scrub brush

Tip

Instead of sawdust, you can soak up an oil stain with cornmeal or cat litter.

Keep old newspapers or towels on hand to help absorb oil spills.

Stubborn oil stains may need to be washed two or three times to fully remove.

Place cardboard or a plastic dropcloth on your cement surface before performing automotive repairs.

An oil spill on cement can soak into the surface, leaving a discolored area that attracts more dirt. Whether the oil is automotive or grease from your last barbecue, it should be cleaned up and removed as quickly and thoroughly as possible. While there are commercial products available for cleaning up oil on cement, you can use home remedies that include vinegar, which is a natural degreaser.

Step 1

Pour sawdust over the oil stain on your cement. Use enough sawdust to make a mound on top of the oil. Leave the sawdust in place overnight to absorb the oil from the surface.

Step 2

Sweep up the oil-soaked sawdust with a broom and dustpan.

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Step 3

Sprinkle 1/2 tsp. washing soda in a bucket. Add 2 tbsp. white vinegar, 1/4 tsp. liquid dish detergent, and 2 cups water. Stir the mixture well with a spoon.

Step 4

Spoon the vinegar solution onto the remaining oil stain on your cement. Wet a scrub brush, and scrub the cleansing solution into the oil-stained cement. Rinse the cement with water, then repeat the cleansing process to continue removing the oil.

Step 5

Cleanse and rinse the oil-stained cement until the stain has lifted. Allow your cement surface to air-dry.

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