Grease Stains
By: Amanda Campbell
Updated: August 30, 2010
If your car has “done you in,” and you’re stuck with oil and grease stains on your concrete floor, here’s a quick tip that will help you get that garage floor clean.
First of all, you’ll need to scrap up as much of the stain as you can. You can use a putty knife. But at MichaelHoligan.com we found that a three in one barbecue grill brush works very well also. The brush has a scraper at one end, a stiff metal brush on one side and a scouring pad on the other. Plus, its long angled handle makes for easier scrubbing. However, you wouldn’t want to use this brush on your barbecue grill after you’ve used it to clean your garage floor, for obvious safety reasons. So save it for other heavy duty cleaning projects such and get a new one for your grill.
Once you’ve finish scraping as much grease and oil as you can, you’ll need to wet the stain down with some water and a sponge. Be sure to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. Then sprinkle some trisodium phosphate crystals, TSP on the stain. You can get the crystals at your local hardware store or home center. As the crystals dissolve use the bristle brush to start scrubbing away the stain.
You may need to add some more TSP and some more water and then keep scrubbing for about 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse the area thoroughly with a hose and repeat the process if you need too. Or you can try sprinkling dry powdered dishwasher detergent on wet concrete. Let it stand a few minutes; and then pour boiling water on area. Scrub the area and rinse well. Again, be sure to use rubber gloves to protect your hands.
Here are some more tips we found for you when it comes to concrete.
First of all, if your car is to blame, you should consider placing a shallow metal pan under the car to catch dripping oil. Or you can place left over carpeting on the floor to protect it.
On fresh stains pour sand, saw dust or even kitty litter to absorb as much of the oil or grease as possible. Leave it on the stain for several hours before sweeping it away and disposing of it properly.
You can also try to scrub the stain with a grease solvent to remove as much as possible of the grease stain. However it is very important to make sure you have good ventilation and avoid sparks or flames (do NOT smoke while working with solvents) as solvents are flammable.
If you have the time, try this method for cleaning grease stains from your concrete. First you will need to mix 1 part sodium citrate to 6 parts water and 6 parts glycerine and add enough whiting or fuller's earth to make a thick paste. Then you will need to spread the paste on the stain and let it stand for 1 week. After the week is up flush with water after you have brushed away the dry paste. Even after all of this you may have to repeat the process.
It’s important to remember that concrete is an extremely strong, durable material made from cement and aggregate. It is porous, whether it is used as a floor in your garage, a porch, a patio, a driveway or a walkway.
For the most part, porch or patio floors have an extra smooth surface, but they can still absorb stains easily. Concrete floors are sealed to prevent staining, since without sealing they absorb stains readily. The floor must cure and dry after it is laid before it can be sealed, with the time required varying with weather, temperature, building conditions, etc. Floors must be clean, and any remaining alkali in the concrete must be neutralized before sealing. Contact a good paint store or cement dealer for complete instructions and materials to use.
Sometimes painting a concrete floor can make cleaning up stains easier. Painting concrete varies depending on its use. Latex floor paints react with rubber tires in garages, as well as with bicycle tires, lawnmower tires, etc. The result is peeling. Alkyd floor enamels are more moisture resistant, and normally hold up better under these conditions. But they are more slippery when wet. If there is moisture rising from beneath the surface of the floor it may also cause enamel floor paint to peel.
Rust can also stain your concrete floor and really should be removed as soon as possible. Try making a paste of 1 part sodium citrate crystals to 6 parts water and enough whiting or fuller's earth to make a paste. Then, spread the paste on the rust stains and allow the area to dry. Once it’s dry, scrape off the paste and the rust should be gone. However, if it remains try repeating the process.
If even a small amount of fuel oil is spilled inside your home you know better than anyone that the odor lingers. There are some sprays and powders designed to absorb this odor. Contact a fuel oil dealer who may carry some or know where you can buy such a product in your area. Some dealers
get it through a wholesaler.
First of all, you’ll need to scrap up as much of the stain as you can. You can use a putty knife. But at MichaelHoligan.com we found that a three in one barbecue grill brush works very well also. The brush has a scraper at one end, a stiff metal brush on one side and a scouring pad on the other. Plus, its long angled handle makes for easier scrubbing. However, you wouldn’t want to use this brush on your barbecue grill after you’ve used it to clean your garage floor, for obvious safety reasons. So save it for other heavy duty cleaning projects such and get a new one for your grill.
Once you’ve finish scraping as much grease and oil as you can, you’ll need to wet the stain down with some water and a sponge. Be sure to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. Then sprinkle some trisodium phosphate crystals, TSP on the stain. You can get the crystals at your local hardware store or home center. As the crystals dissolve use the bristle brush to start scrubbing away the stain.
You may need to add some more TSP and some more water and then keep scrubbing for about 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse the area thoroughly with a hose and repeat the process if you need too. Or you can try sprinkling dry powdered dishwasher detergent on wet concrete. Let it stand a few minutes; and then pour boiling water on area. Scrub the area and rinse well. Again, be sure to use rubber gloves to protect your hands.
Here are some more tips we found for you when it comes to concrete.
First of all, if your car is to blame, you should consider placing a shallow metal pan under the car to catch dripping oil. Or you can place left over carpeting on the floor to protect it.
On fresh stains pour sand, saw dust or even kitty litter to absorb as much of the oil or grease as possible. Leave it on the stain for several hours before sweeping it away and disposing of it properly.
You can also try to scrub the stain with a grease solvent to remove as much as possible of the grease stain. However it is very important to make sure you have good ventilation and avoid sparks or flames (do NOT smoke while working with solvents) as solvents are flammable.
If you have the time, try this method for cleaning grease stains from your concrete. First you will need to mix 1 part sodium citrate to 6 parts water and 6 parts glycerine and add enough whiting or fuller's earth to make a thick paste. Then you will need to spread the paste on the stain and let it stand for 1 week. After the week is up flush with water after you have brushed away the dry paste. Even after all of this you may have to repeat the process.
It’s important to remember that concrete is an extremely strong, durable material made from cement and aggregate. It is porous, whether it is used as a floor in your garage, a porch, a patio, a driveway or a walkway.
For the most part, porch or patio floors have an extra smooth surface, but they can still absorb stains easily. Concrete floors are sealed to prevent staining, since without sealing they absorb stains readily. The floor must cure and dry after it is laid before it can be sealed, with the time required varying with weather, temperature, building conditions, etc. Floors must be clean, and any remaining alkali in the concrete must be neutralized before sealing. Contact a good paint store or cement dealer for complete instructions and materials to use.
Sometimes painting a concrete floor can make cleaning up stains easier. Painting concrete varies depending on its use. Latex floor paints react with rubber tires in garages, as well as with bicycle tires, lawnmower tires, etc. The result is peeling. Alkyd floor enamels are more moisture resistant, and normally hold up better under these conditions. But they are more slippery when wet. If there is moisture rising from beneath the surface of the floor it may also cause enamel floor paint to peel.
Rust can also stain your concrete floor and really should be removed as soon as possible. Try making a paste of 1 part sodium citrate crystals to 6 parts water and enough whiting or fuller's earth to make a paste. Then, spread the paste on the rust stains and allow the area to dry. Once it’s dry, scrape off the paste and the rust should be gone. However, if it remains try repeating the process.
If even a small amount of fuel oil is spilled inside your home you know better than anyone that the odor lingers. There are some sprays and powders designed to absorb this odor. Contact a fuel oil dealer who may carry some or know where you can buy such a product in your area. Some dealers
get it through a wholesaler.
