Removing Oil Stains in a Concrete Floor

Help your concrete shine.

Having stained concrete is not something that should be ignored. If you notice oil or other liquids, it needs to immediately cleaned up so the stains do not set in and create further problems which could lead to expensive repairs down the road! The good news, though, is that there are several ways of removing these stains that are easy and efficient.

If you leave oil stains on your concrete, it can seep into any installed flooring system, like epoxy, and cause problems later. A clean floor is important not just for its appearance; leaving these behind could affect any future renovations or installations we do!

What You Need to Remove Oil Stains from Concrete

Using the best materials can help you clean more efficiently. Here's what we recommend:

- A concrete degreaser / cleaner. Products like the Xtreme Clean Concrete Cleaner or the Simix Multi-Surface Cleaner are effective at cleaning and safe on your floors.

- A stiff brush. While you can use an average household broom, you might also need something stronger and larger. In that case, we recommend the Spartacote Application Broom.

- A pressure washer (optional).

- Protective gear, including nitrile gloves and a mask if you feel inclined. 

How-To: Removing Oil Stains in Concrete

Step 1: Prepare the Floor

When you're ready to start cleaning, make sure that the area has been prepped and any debris or obstructions removed. Don't forget to put on your gloves and safety glasses before getting started. If you see a fresh stain, you can get in there with a rag & baking soda before starting your deeper cleaning work.

Once the concrete is covered in a thick layer of oil or grease, you may want to use something like a concrete degreaser, which is designed specifically for breaking oil stains down. Just spray it on your floor and let it sit before proceeding with next step!

Step 2: Scrubbing the Floor

Now that you've prepped the area, it's time to start scrubbing. Use a stiff brush and some concrete cleaner on your tough stains so they can come out! For larger spaces, you can divide up into sections to make the job easier and more efficient.

Step 3: Pressure Wash (Optional)

If scrubbing alone doesn't seem to get the stains out, you can use a pressure washer as a last resort. Concrete is an incredibly strong solution, and it won’t wear down easily, but that doesn't mean that going at it at the highest pressure you can won't damage it!

When you're cleaning your concrete, be more conservative with the pressure washing and only use enough water to clean off any dirt or oils that may have accumulated on its surface. You don't want cracks!

Step 4: Rinsing the Floor

After scrubbing your concrete, rinse it thoroughly with water to remove all of the cleaner and debris. Rinse it thoroughly, and don't forget your safety equipment as there still could be harmful chemicals laying around.

Final Steps

When you are finished cleaning your concrete, allow it to completely dry before allowing traffic on it again. If any of those pesky grease or oil stains remain after treatment, there are harsher solutions you can try, like grinding.

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Conclusion

Removing oil stains from concrete is a relatively easy process, all you need is the right materials that won't damage your floor, and some elbow grease. With the help of this guide, hopefully you can start making concrete floors shine the way they're meant to.

If you have any cleaning questions, or want more information on maintaining concrete or working with concrete, contact our professionals at (954) 228-8856. You can find all the materials you need to install, clean & maintain, and polish & grind concrete at our EpoxyETC store.