Michigan State University Extension
Home Maintenance And Repair - 01500366
06/24/03
Concrete, Cement - Grease Stains
In a garage, it is advisable to place a shallow metal
pan under the car to catch dripping oil. Spreading the
area under the car with sand or sawdust will help absorb
dripping oil. Periodically saturated sand or sawdust
should be scraped away and fresh, clean material put in
place. This will prevent tracking oil to other areas of
cement or into the house.
If oil or grease is spilled on porch or patio cement,
apply an absorbent powder such as fuller's earth,
cornmeal, or sawdust to absorb as much oil as possible
immediately. Leave it on stain for a few hours and sweep
up.
To remove the grease stain:
1. Using a stiff long handled brush, scrub stain with
concentrated detergent suds. Rinse well with hose. Dry
and repeat if necessary.
2. Sprinkle "dishwasher" detergent (dry) on wet concrete.
Let it stand a few minutes; pour boiling water on area.
Scrub and rinse. Use rubber gloves on hands.
3. Commercial Product: One brand is Garage and Driveway
Cleaner by Red Devil Co. available in paint or/and
hardware stores. It can also be used on blacktop
surfaces. Other similar brands may be available in your
area.
4. On wet oily surface of concrete, sprinkle with
trisodium phosphate. Allow to stand 15 to 30 minutes,
then scrub with stiff brush and hot water. Rinse with
clean water. Do not use on asphalt.
OR: Dissolve a cup trisodium of phosphate in 1 gallon of
hot water. Pour over stained cement surface generously
and allow to soak 15 to 20 minutes. Scrub vigorously with
stiff brush or broom. Rinse off with hose. Repeat if
necessary. Do not use on asphalt.
5. Scrub the concrete with a grease solvent to remove as
much as possible of the grease stain. Have good
ventilation and avoid spark or flame as solvents are
flammable. Benzine, often recommended, can ignite, just
from a spark from friction or rubbing.
6. 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. Spread paste on oil or grease
stain. Let stand 1 week. Add new paste when it dries.
Flush with water after brushing dry paste away. Repeat if
necessary.
This article was written by Anne Field, Extension
Specialist, Emeritus with references from Mary Ellen
Delsipee and Isabel Jones, previous Extension Specialists.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State
University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race,
color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability,
political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.
Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director,
MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI 48824. This information is for educational
purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
This file was generated from data base 02 on 02/04/08.
Data base 02 was last revised on 06/24/03.
For more information about this data base or its contents please contact
strausc@msu.edu .