Removing Engine Oil Stains from Asphalt

Who hasn't experienced the annoyance of finding an engine oil stain on their driveway or garage floor? Well, when faced with that type of a situation you really only have two choices. The first is that you can simply live with the stain (and grow more and more annoyed as time goes by), or you can deal with it. Luckily, removing engine oil stains from asphalt isn't all that difficult. Simply use the following methods to get the job done as quickly as possible. Keep in mind that for the particularly difficult situations, you may want to use all of the methods in conjunction.

• Use some kitty litter. One of the most effective, and traditional, methods for removing engine oil from asphalt is using kitty litter. Simply pour enough cat litter onto the oil stain (old or new) to completely cover the stain. Once you have done that, begin grinding the kitty litter into the stain. The ideal tool to use when grinding the kitty litter is your foot, so you may end up looking like you are doing the classic dance "The Twist." After having ground away the stain, simply sweep up the ground kitty litter, and you should now be stain free.
• Apply some laundry soap. Simply using some powder laundry soap can be an effective method for removing engine oil stains from asphalt. Once again pour enough laundry soap onto the stain, and then cover it up with some plastic and allow it to sit for about three or four days. Over that time, the soap will work at the stain, and should then be able to be removed by simply sweeping it up.
• Use muriatic acid. This type of acid can be purchased at just about any local home improvement store, and is also the single most dramatic method to use. The reason for this is that the acid will literally eat away at the stone, and as such great care will need to be used. Make sure that you follow the directions that come with the acid very carefully, and that you are also wearing protective gloves and goggles to keep yourself safe.
• Power wash the area. You can also rent a power washer from just about any home improvement store, department store, or even grocery store. Make sure that you follow the directions carefully before you start using it, but the heat and strength from the power washer can remove most any kind of stain.