To remove most stains on the garage floor and in the entrance area

The most common dirt spots on the entrance and garage are from petroleum products such as engine oil, gasoline and gear oil. These come from cars, motorbikes, lawn mowers, etc. Luckily, these are not as hard to get rid of as you might think. It is best to clean it while the stain is still fresh, but it is not always possible. Maybe he recently got his mower out after spending the winter wondering if there's a leak or if the same happened to his bike.

Liquids such as engine oil, transmission fluid and gasoline can leave scratches on paved driveways and garage floors. Because these liquids are all different, the cleaning techniques vary from liquid to liquid and from surface to surface.

The oil usually leaves dark spots on the incoming asphalt. Here are some steps to eliminate stubborn oil stains.

1. Lightly tap the liquid to see if it is wet or dry (use a rubber glove). If the spill is new, first cover the stain with cat, cornstarch, baking powder, cornmeal or other absorbent material. This should still absorb wet moisture.
2. After drying or if the stain is already dry, moisten the stain with water and rub with a stiff brush and a paste with baking soda and water. You can try a wire brush, but first try to make sure it does not damage the asphalt.
3. Finish, rinse the asphalt with a hose and allow to air dry.

Garage floors are more durable than asphalt roads. To remove most of the dry petroleum products from the concrete, wet / soak the stain with an aerosol lubricant (creep oil), then wash and rinse with soap and water. Another method is to put the engine degreaser on the spot and rub it with a wire brush. Then cover the cat litter before sweeping it. You probably need to wash with soap and water to complete the job.

Another technique known to work in lightly colored concrete (especially for transmission fluids) is excessive cleaning.

1. Spray the stain with oven cleaner and let stand for 10 minutes.
2. Use a stiff brush to rub the stain and rinse with a hose at maximum pressure. A pressure washer usually works well in concrete, but could damage the asphalt.
3. If the stain is still there, repeat the process.

There are some other tips that you want to follow.

1. Always wear gloves and safety goggles when handling chemicals.
2. Absorbent materials such as cat litter or baking soda should be kept in a closed container such as a coffee can with a lid. Dispose of it in a hazardous materials recycling center like a fire station.
3. Sodium bicarbonate is good for absorbing odors left by petroleum stains.
4. Another chemical cleaning product that you can try is trisodium phosphate in a hardware store. Follow the instructions that come with it.

Old and unpleasant old stains are probably not permanent, but they can be harder to remove than household products. If these cleaning tips do not completely eliminate the stain, consider using a professional cleaner that will do the job.

What advice at home do you have to give others? Please add your comments.

Biography of the author: Brian Kline has been investing in real estate for more than 35 years and has been writing real estate investments for 10 years. He also has more than 30 years of professional experience, including 12 years as a manager at the Boeing Aircraft Company. Brian currently lives in Lake Cushman, Washington. A holiday destination just a few miles from a national forest. With the Pacific Ocean a few miles in the opposite direction.

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