Motor oil stains on your driveway. They’re inevitable. If a car is leaking oil and needs repair, or if there’s a spill while the oil is being changed, a driveway will eventually accumulate these all-too-familiar splotches. If left unaddressed these unsightly blemishes can kill your curb appeal when you put your flip on the market.
Some flipping pros estimate that you’d have to spend up to $10,000 to jackhammer and replace your heavily-stained driveway, or shell-out a pretty penny to have it resurfaced. Luckily you don’t have to take either of those budget-busting routes to remedy this problem.
Here’s a quick and inexpensive solution that simply requires items that can be found in any household pantry. It just takes a little elbow grease (see what we did there?).
Create a Homemade Cleaner
First, douse the oil stains with water. Next, cover the stains with baking soda. Grab a can of soda and pour it on top of the baking soda—use as many sodas as you need to cover the stains (just a tip: driveways prefer diet colas).
The combination of baking soda and soda should begin to fizz. Let the mix sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Next use a hard bristle push broom to vigorously scrub the stains. Use a pressure washer to wash away the mix, and see if the stains have begun to lift. If there are still residual stains you should repeat the process—you may have to repeat up to three times until the stains have substantially cleared.
How to Soak-Up Fresh Oil Spills
When you’ve got freshly-spilled oil you should immediately try to soak-up as much of it as possible to help minimize deep staining. To do this pour clumping kitty litter (not crystal or clay alternatives) on the spill and work it in using a push broom or a brush. Allow the cat litter to sit for a minimum of an hour, and then sweep it up.
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