Increase Your Home’s Curb Appeal with Pressure Washing
It happens even to those with newer cars. When an oil spot ruins the look of your bright clean driveway, it’s a bummer. The neighbors will talk about you. Okay, perhaps you don’t care, but if you’re planning to sell your home, you’ll want to remove that nasty oil spot. Lawnmower oil or gas can spill and so can other mechanic equipment. Those stains are hard to clean, especially transmission fluid, gasoline, and oil. They can leave your driveway or garage floor stained and discolored for years to come.
To remove automotive stains from an uncoated garage floor or driveway, you’ll need to contact either a professional pressure washing service or try to do it yourself. This article explains how to remove the stains yourself and when it may be time to call a professional.
Steps to Remove Oil Stains
Wet Stain
Follow these steps to remove oil stains from your garage floor or driveway:
If it’s a fresh spill, still wet, spread kitty litter, sand, cornstarch, or clay on top of the stain. Baking soda will also work. These substances are good at absorbing the oil before it seeps into the cement.
Dry Stain
If the stain is dried, then sweep up as much material as you can and dampen the stain with water. However, if the stain is set in, spray the stain with water from a hose. Then use a bristly cleaning brush to scrub the area with a paste of water and baking soda mixture. Rinse with water and then let it air dry.
Other Solutions
A few other solutions to removing oil stains are below.
Spray the stain with sprayable lubricant or oven cleaner and then rinse.
Mix a paste of powdered laundry detergent with water and spread it on the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes and then scrub with a brush. Rinse the stain with water.
Scrub the stain with dishwashing detergent Dawn. Then brush the stain vigorously.
Spray the stain with microbial stain remover. Then later clean with soap and water.
Helpful Tips for Cleaning Oil Spots
- Those oil spots on your driveway and pathways can detract from the beauty of your home. Removing these stains begins with choosing the right solution whether it’s using household cleaning items or hiring a professional pressure washer.
- If you’re cleaning a driveway with an incline, begin working at the highest point so the residue and gray water can work its way down in a planned direction and without blemishing already cleaned surfaces. Make sure to protect your plants and grass from runoff. You may want to saturate surrounding vegetation with water before you begin.
- Also, remember that oil is flammable. You’ll want to discard anything saturated with oil safely.
Pressure washing is a great method for cleaning oil spots from driveways and other surfaces. However, you’ll want to know how much pressure to apply to each type of surface. That’s where it’s wise to hire an experienced pressure washer. NC Window Cleaning has a team of highly experienced professionals ready to make your home and driveway the most attractive one on the block.
Take advantage of our Spring Cleaning Special today! You’ll get 10% off of our special spring cleaning services including power washing. Say goodbye to oil stains and enjoy these great savings for a limited time.
Power Washing Bricks
Spring is a great time to have your driveway and walkways professionally cleaned and power washed. Not only does it give your outdoor surfaces a fresh new look, but it prevents dangerous slips from happening. Also, you could be protecting your home from future mold infestation by stopping it. Power washing can damage bricks and siding if done without the knowledge of how much pressure (PSI) can be used on brick and other surfaces. If done carelessly or without knowledge of appropriate PSI, bricks can be weakened and damaged. It’s best to call a professional power washer to clean your outdoor surfaces safely and effectively.
NC Window Cleaning has decades of experience servicing homes and businesses in Fayetteville and surrounding areas. Take advantage of our Spring Cleaning Special and save 10% when you bundle exterior cleaning, roof cleaning, gutter cleaning, window washing, and driveway, sidewalk, & patio cleaning. Call today at (910) 273-4416 to learn more or simply contact us.
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