How to Clean Oil Off a Garage Floor

Oil stains on your concrete garage floor can be super frustrating.

Whether it’s a fresh drip from a leaking car or an old, stubborn stain that’s been there for years, knowing how to clean oil off your garage floor can save you time, money, and headaches.

With the right approach and materials, you can tackle these stains and get your concrete garage floor looking great again.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through proven methods to remove oil from your garage floor, covering everything from fresh spills to set-in stains.

Table of Contents

• Cleaning Fresh Oil Spills
• Removing Old, Set-In Oil Stains from Concrete
• Why Do Garage Floors Stain So Easily?
• Prevent Oil Stains With a High-Quality Garage Floor Coating

Cleaning Fresh Oil Spills

The easiest time to clean oil off your garage floor is when the spill is fresh. Acting quickly prevents the oil from soaking deep into the concrete and creating a stubborn stain.

Step 1: Absorb the Liquid Oil

Avoid using paper towels or rags; they can push the oil further in or spread it around. Instead, use an absorbent material you likely have at home, such as:

• Cat litter
• Baking soda
• Cornstarch
• Sand or cornmeal

Instructions:

• Cover the spill generously.
• Let it sit for several hours or overnight.
• For best results, place cardboard or plastic over it to keep it dry.
• Once it has soaked up the oil, sweep up and dispose of the material properly.

Step 2: Address The Remaining Stains

Even after removing the liquid oil, you might still see some discoloration where the oil started to soak into the concrete. This is normal and can be cleaned with simple household ingredients.

What to do:

1. Wet the stained area thoroughly with water. This helps prevent the cleaning process from spreading the stain by drawing more oil to the surface.
2. Make a thick paste using baking soda and a small amount of water. Powdered laundry detergent works well as an alternative.
3. Apply the paste to the stain and scrub it vigorously with a stiff-bristle brush, focusing on the discolored areas.
4. Let the paste sit for 10–15 minutes so it can penetrate and break down the oil.
5. Rinse the area thoroughly with water.
6. Optional: If you have a pressure washer, now is the perfect time to use it. The high-pressure water can remove stubborn oil particles that scrubbing alone might not get.

Removing Old, Set-In Oil Stains from Concrete

Old oil stains can be tough to deal with. Once oil has had time to soak deep into concrete, it’s much harder to remove, but not impossible.

Here are a few effective ways to clean oil off your garage floor, even if the stain has been there for months or years:

Method 1: Concrete Degreaser

Concrete degreasers break down oil, grease, and other substances that regular soap and water can’t handle. They penetrate deep into the concrete and lift oil back to the surface so it can be washed away.

Steps to Using Concrete Degreaser:

1. Start by wetting the stained area with hot water to help activate the degreaser.
2. Then, mix and apply the product according to the label, using the strongest concentration recommended for tough stains. Pour it directly over the affected area and let it soak for several minutes.
3. Next, scrub the stained area thoroughly with a stiff-bristle brush.
4. Let the degreaser sit for a few more minutes, then rinse with cold water.
5. Repeat the process for older, deeper, or more stubborn oil stains once the surface has dried.

Tip: Let the area dry completely between applications so you can see how much progress you’ve made.

Method 2: Bioremediation Products

If you prefer a more eco-friendly option, bioremediation products are a great choice. These cleaners use natural microorganisms that “eat” oil and grease, breaking them down into harmless byproducts. They’re chemical-free, safe to use indoors, and don’t give off harsh fumes; perfect for enclosed garage spaces.

The only downside is time: these products work slowly, usually requiring one to two weeks to fully break down the oil; however, the process is very simple.

Steps to Using Bioremediation Products:

1. Sprinkle the bioremediation powder over the stain according to package directions.
2. Let it work for the recommended period (usually 1–2 weeks).
3. Sweep away the residue once the process is complete.

Tip: For severe concrete oil stains, a second application may be needed, but most homeowners see great results after just one treatment.

This hands-off approach makes bioremediation perfect for tackling multiple stains at once or for homeowners who prefer a set-it-and-forget-it solution.

Method 3: Oil-Dissolving Solvents (Use Caution)

For the toughest, most set-in stains, oil-dissolving solvents, like acetone or specialized petroleum solvents, can be very effective. These powerful chemicals dissolve oil on contact, but they require careful handling.

Safety first: Make sure your garage is well-ventilated, wear gloves, safety glasses, and a mask, and avoid using solvents near any open flames, pilot lights, or heating equipment, as many are flammable.

Steps to Using Oil-Dissolving Solvents:

1. Pour the solvent directly over the oil stain so it’s completely covered. Unlike other methods, you don't need to scrub; the solvent will work on its own
2. Optional: For an extra boost, sprinkle a layer of Portland cement on top to help draw out the oil as the solvent dries.
3. Then, cover the treated area with plastic and let it sit for several days to a week.
4. Once dry, sweep away the residue and rinse thoroughly.

Note: This method takes time and caution, but it’s often the best way to remove the most stubborn concrete oil stains.

Why Do Garage Floors Stain So Easily?

Most traditional garage floors are made of unfinished concrete, which is highly porous, allowing oil and other liquids to easily sink in and leave stubborn stains.

Think of concrete like a sponge; spills soak into all the tiny holes and channels, embedding deep into the surface.

Even sealed or polished concrete can stain over time, especially in high-traffic areas where the finish starts to wear down.

Cleaning up spills quickly helps, but the easiest way to avoid repeated scrubbing is to stop oil from soaking in at all. A proper floor coating can make that simple and keep your garage looking clean for years.

Prevent Oil Stains With a High-Quality Garage Floor Coating

If you’re tired of constantly cleaning oil off your concrete garage floor or just want to stop worrying about future spills, the easiest solution is to prevent them before they start.

A high-quality floor coating seals the concrete’s natural pores, creating a smooth, non-porous surface that keeps oil and other liquids from soaking in, making cleanup quick and easy.

At GarageExperts®, we offer a high-performance Garage FX® flooring system that combines the strength of epoxy with the lasting protection of a polyaspartic topcoat to form a seamless surface that resists oil and other spills.

When accidents happen, you can simply wipe them away in seconds without harsh cleaners or heavy scrubbing. This not only saves you time and effort, but also protects your garage floors from stubborn, hard-to-remove stains.

Tired of scrubbing oil stains or worrying about future spills? Contact your local GarageExperts® today for a free estimate and see how easy it can be to keep your garage floor clean and protected.