I used to work at a gas station. We used Tide Powder, not liquid. Worked very well.

Paint thinner works perfect,been using it for decades and it NEVER harmed my driveway! Cleans fast,use a scurb brush for a few minutes rinse it off,oil spots gone!

I’m doing it tomorrow morning. The wife is just about to blow a fuse, so I better get busy and do a good job. Thanks you for doing the legwork.

Thanks for actually doing a side by side test! There's a lot of (cheap) talk, and then there are people like you who actually put it to the test and look for evidence... it's more work but it actually gets you the truth!

I purchased a foam cannon a couple of years ago and for grins, I loaded it with Super Clean to see what would happen. The oil stains on my driveway had been there for, I don't know at least about 8-10 years, and I'd never had any luck with anything even making much more than a dent in the set-in oil stains. I had tried all sorts of cleaners and hadn't had any luck. I don't have a very powerful pressure washer, 1700 psi electric, and I wasn't even sure that it would drive the foam cannon or the rotating surface cleaner. But it did and I was surprised with the results. I foamed the driveway down with the Super Clean (full strength in the foam cannon bottle) and let it sit for about 20 minutes while I hooked up the surface cleaner to the pressure. The Super Clean had gotten down and pulled up the oil from the concrete and the combination did a fine job of cleaning. The driveway looked like it had never had an oil stain at all. However, there were a few rust stains that didn't come up. I hadn't even seen them before due to the oil stains The combination cleaned so well that I ended up having to do the entire driveway so that the clean area didn't stick out like a sore thumb.

Forget all these “cleaners”. In concrete repair we do it differently. Soak it down with carburetor cleaner and wire brush it. Rub the surface with a white rag. Then use a propane torch on it. Keep the torch moving so you don’t leave burn marks. Remember torching the oil makes it vaporize so the deep oil will just go away.

Good video and good test of products. Over the years I have had the best results from dry concrete sprinkled from a bag. I cover the oil stain, let it set for a short time, then scratch it in with a wire brush, then let that sit for a while. Then broom it off or use dust pan. There is something about the dry concrete powder that seems to draw the oil out. If the area is really bad I repeat and this time put a bit of water on the dry concrete and turn it into a paste, let it dry then scratch it into the oil. Broom it off or use dust pan. I usually get a pretty good result and don't spend much money because a bag of concrete is only about $5-$8 and lasts for months or years.

The best I’ve ever seen was to wipe up any liquid oil and scrape off oil and dirt build up. Then spread cheap kitty litter on and use a tamper to crush the clay into the stain. A power tamping machine is worth renting if you have large, several spaces to do. Let sit for 5-7 days. You can sweep any loose dust off if you want. Then pressure wash clean. Looks brand new!

I’ve used degreaser with dawn blue dish detergent. Works great especially after you scrub it on and let it sit under the hot sunlight for a few hours. 👍🏻

Good video, it's hard to pick the best cleaner because of the thousands of variations in mixtures of concrete, the finish on the concrete , any additives used ect. I've been working on cars/trucks for 50yrs+ and I've cleaned my share of shop floors and driveways. The key I think is to clean up the oils quickly, if it's allowed to soak in for days or months it's going to be work. Pressure washer and letting Purple Power, Zep or Simple Green soak in for an hour can raise up some of the oils to wash away again. Every stain is a new adventure but the longer it is there the more work. I use lots of cardboard and drip trays.

Dawn Powerwash Dishsoap worked really well for me. I figured people use Dawn to clean oil off animals… so why not try it? Superficial stains came out on the first try, caked on stains took 2-3x to clear, but I only let it sit for ~10-15 mins before scrubbing.

Ditto to all the positive comments. Your analysis showed empirical evidence.👍👍👍👍👍

Plain cat litter. Put some over the stain, grind in with your shoe, then sweep it up. Then store the litter for the next spill. You can use it multiple times until it’s saturated

Agitation prior to the wait-time makes a difference too... Apply the product of choice and work it in with the broom, then allow to sit. 👍

I used Bi carb soda on mine just this week. REALLY FANTASTIC RESULTS. Mid into a paste, rub it in, wait, high pressure hose off. Naught need two goes of it.

Oil is flammable and seeps into the concrete crevasses, use a torch and propane bottle to completely remove it. Be careful not to hold the flame too close or in one spot too long or the concrete will pop.

Clothes and dish washing detergent mostly use TSP as the active ingredient. I tried to clean the garage floor. I used the powder straight out of the box and wet it lightly. Then waited an hour and pressure washed it. Did a decent job. My stains were years old and not maintained by the previous owner of the house. Three attempts made it acceptable. Best I could do.

Thanks for the effort man... I've had a few spots on my driveway bugging me for awhile now

Trisodium Phosphate (TSP)! Make a paste, scrap the excess, spread the paste on oil spill with a putty knife, wait a little bit and pressure wash it off!! TSP is about $8 a box at Home Depot!

For really really tough spots i use an ounce or 2 of swimming pool acid (muriatic acid) its gunna make the spot you clean look like fresh poured concrete so u gotta keep some water nearby to dilute it once it gets near the shade you want.

Use Dawn dish soap. Cover the spot. Let it sit for a half or so, then use a brush to remove the oil stain. Spray off the soap. I figured if their removing oil on ducks, why not driveways.

I agree with a few other commenters, Dawn dish detergent is best for the job. Removes oil stains from clothing & best shower cleaner too.

Thank you!! Comparsons give me perspective & contextual understanding. Thank you for showing your process too! You've helped me lots!! 🌟

Good review, the goof off did do best but it also had the smallest oil spill too. Not saying it would be different results but just noting. The overall from looking outside seems they all did pretty good.

I use cat litter, use the back side of the brush to kinda grind it into the concrete, brush it off after a few minutes, spray some carb cleaner over whats left, and then some more cat litter.

Dawn will work better if you use it correctly however Tide is a way better Surfactant. Surfactants like Tide work with water, preferably hot water and scrubbing then rinsing. Pouring full strength with no water is doing virtually nothing. Even better, while everything is still dry, first work in a layer of DE diatomaceous earth with a push-broom or scrub brush (dry) let set a few hours to absorb and draw the oil out of the concrete. After several hours sweep up the DE and then wash with hot water and Tide.

70 year old stains on my garage took three products: 1st was a concrete cleaner, which only removed the surface grease and most recent stains. Then Dawn dish detergent, only took a bit more off. Then I used acetone and a metal brush which removed about 90% of the remaining stain. But that even took three more applications. No free lunch. It requires a lot of elbow work.

Use straight dawn dish washing liquid pour a glass of water on your dawn and let it sit until the next day and wash it off works great especially if you have fresh spots on your driveway

Interesting, I’ve used many different methods but powered mixes seem to help add some abrasive properties. I’ve been doing it for decades without a pressure washer.

ZEP has great gallon cleaners. P.S. if you live by the oceans then you can get a massive ticket for washing engine degreasers into gutter and storm drains that flow to the ocean. Using a firmer deck scrubber works far better that a push broom

The problem I see is that you're driving the oil back down into the concrete. What you have to do is DRAW it out of the concrete. The best method I have found is to get some volcanic gravel from your local landscaping supply or barbeque store or home depot and crush it up into a powder. Add your degreaser to the crushed rock to the consistency of let's say runny oatmeal and pour it on the oil stain and cover it with plastic. The reason for the plastic is to keep it wet longer. Give it 24 hours and remove it. This may take 2 or 3 times. When done do the last step with bleach and DE. (Diatomaceous Earth). This is what you call a poltice.

Years ago when I owned a service station - - - Tide powder did the job and over time in penetrated the concrete and made easy clean up partly because of phosphates.

In the 70-80s…when I was a kid working on my bike, TIDE only came in powder. But DANG if it wasn’t the best at getting grease and oil off your hands. Tree-huggers made them take out some of the cleaners after a while but…just sprinkle the powder on it next time. Why use watered down powder?plus it’s cheaper…..and greener, as you aren’t shipping all that WAYER with your CLEANERS. Edit…after google search the answer is TSP or Tri-sodium phosphate. That’s the good stuff they took out.

I appreciate this video. Saved me time and effort. Thank you.

I used WD 40 on oil on my driveway, just spray and the WD will draw the oil out, and then I just wipes it up with old rags. Works very well.

Glad to see this video. I've tried dawn but didn't help a lot. I will be ordering the Goof off

Yeah, I'm definitely saving this. May actually go out and buy some of that. #GoofOffConcreteCleaner #Goofoff #concretecleaner #oilstain

I've been using straight Dawn dishwashing soap for years. I brush it on and let it sit. I used to do it when it was supposed to rain the next day. The oil was gone after it rained.

Should have wet the concrete first, get the oil to rise a bit and chemically the ingredients in a lot of the cleaners need water to properly react and attach themselves to the oil molecules. Without water your essentially just pouring more stuff into of the oil and not doing anything to lift it out until you add the water.

The absolute best way is as follows. Get a piece of scrap drywall. Get a hammer and smash the white gypsum into a powder. Pour a tiny bit of gasoline on the oil and sprinkle the gypsum powder on it. The next day brush it off and rinse with a hose. I had some that was on concrete for over 15 years. Took it off. Best wishes, Kevin

I usually just pour a new layer of concrete over the top of the driveway. Only problem is now I've got a 6-in drop off going into my garage...

Purple up from autozone. Worked great for me numerous times.

Best method, use oil adsorbent (or cat liter) and rub into concrete with a brick or block of wood, turns into a dusty powder, let it sit for a day and sweep or wash. Good as new.

I have always been curious if coke or Dawn dish soap would do it. Coke will eat anything! and Dawn used to have an ingredient they used to use to clean oil spills in the ocean. I don't know if they still use the same thing.

this is helpful. My wife also didn't like the oil stain my car left on the driveway : )

Brake cleaner and a towel . Spot clean in moment its noticed.

Barkeepers friend made up into a paste and left to sit for 30mins then scrub with a broom works great.

I've found oil absorbent granules to be pretty effective and much less labor intensive, just gotta be patient, let it work for a few days and maybe do it over a couple times. Also probably more cost effective as well. But good video! 🙂

Thanks for the video. I won't cheap out on cleaning up the driveway. I'll have to see if they have some goo off at Home Depot.

back in the day we used a few ounces of 87 octane pour directly on oil spot then pour oil dry or cat litter on top and grind it in with your feet wait 30 min. then sweep it up into open barrel fuel tends to evaporate in moments leaves no residue just bright white cement. but these days we pour purple power on oil scrub with hard bristle cement brush then carefully pour boiling water over the top if needed pressure wash.

I just pour petrol/ gasoline and let is soak about 10 minutes...after that clean it up with normal detergent...worked like a charm

Bleach doesn’t cut grease. I would have used Dawn instead of Tide. Oven cleaner also works

The best, easiest, and cheapest way I've found to remove oil stains is to buy a bag of cheap clay-based cat litter. Pour it over the stain, sweep it in, really grind it into bad stains, and then walk away. If there's any left after a week, hose it off. Cheap, effective, and environmentally friendly.

Multiple applications of Krud Kutter works very well!

I use carburetor cleaner on the grease spot and than cover it with clay kitty litter let it sit if not enough hit it again, it will work.

clay cat kitter and some dawn dish soap my dad used that stuff religiously in shop to keep the floors cleaned up for decades.

🔵WHY DON'T YOU USE THEM ALL TOGETHER ALONG WITH POOL ACID CLEANER?🔴

If you use 90% alcohol, vinegar , dish washing soap, & comet add some water & stir. Then rise the concrete area good then wash it /brush it with the mixture. Rinse then wash again let it sit a couple of minutes then rinse it. It will clean your concrete get it to looking like brand new. I’ve tried it and it works.

I use Simple Green and it works great, smells good, and isn't toxic. Spray it on, scrub it in, wait for 5-10 minutes , scrub it again, rise off and you're good to go !!! And it's cheap...........

Next time try DAWN Detergent. It worked wonders for the Wild Life after the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. And Its Cheaper and EPA Friendly.

A very cheap way of getting it clean, using the dirt around your yard, let it sit for maybe 30mins or more and using a shovel to remove it. I know it sounds crazy but it works

Cheapest kitty litter you can buy. The plain gray kind. Pour a thin layer and grind it into the stain with your boot. Sweep it up and use it again later. Chemicals can damage the finish on your concrete. Dish detergent would be better.

Excellent methodical test! Thank you for your thoughtful and helpful test! I have thought of how and you answered my question!

krud kutter, oil eater and pour & restore all work well also

I've always used tide powder not the liquid and used a little water and a push broom to work it in then was it off its worked good for me but now i use dawn dish soap and tide powder

Thanks bro ! I’m a new hvac student and I got oil everywhere removing a unit boss man said I better figure it out and thanks to you I did that goof off worked great #subscribed

Also first using a cardboard rag to lay it flat stomp on n let it soak up , in a sunny day , then rubbed it off wiped it off, then the washing can began , some people use dry dirt on concrete mix to let soak up the oil , then it becomes stain of that material

I've used dry cat litter but haven't had that many grease/oil stains. If someone has a lot of oil stains . . . your vehicle is trying to get your attention for some maintenance.

I found using cement Mortar or Portland cement. You don't need a lot if you just doing small stains. It's so dry if you put it on the stain and all I did was use my work boots and just twist in my foot back and forth over the stain and use the fine brush to sweep it up and it's a lot easier

Dude out here says he’d wash the brush between scrub downs, proceeds to go from the Clorox to the Goo Off without Rinsing the Push Broom

The best stuff is Betco Citrus Chisel $22 a gallon, Spray on full strength, let dry, spray again, then use surface cleaner

Bleach and laudry detergent works for me, scrub rense repeat, reaply without rensing the third time and leave it to dry

Two ways better then what your using. Get oil dry from auto parts store or cat litter. Spread it on the stains and grind it in to powder with a brick. The powder will soak up the oil The 2nd and easiest is a can of brake clean. It thins the oil and evaporates. No scrubbing or anything. Keep applying till the oil is gone.

i know i use that toilet cleaner on my kitchen grout, its jaw dropping.

I used something similar to the Goof Off remover, and it didn't work. Could it be because of the concrete being inside the garage and not exposed to the sun?

EZ-off or draino can work pretty well. Don't let it sit for hours, spray it on, scrub it in and rinse off in 30 mins.

Dawn might have been good to try, since they use it to clean animals that have been coated in oil.

I use a propane torch. It brings it to the top and burns it away. You can’t stay in one spot for more than a few seconds or you will pop the cement. Very fast

Varsol works the best. No scrubbing just pour it on top and wait.

Step 1. Fix the leak. Step 2. Buy some Goof Off. Thx for the vid.

The best thing that I’ve ever found was Tide powder

Years and years ago I worked at a Derby Station in Wichita,I had a female Boss who was a Stickler on the Islands Oil Spots and you’d be amazed how many cars leaked Oil,anyways the Old bag made me clean them everyday,she had a hefty supply of Oil dry /Kitty litter and a big supply of cardboard Pop Trays from deliveries anyhow this is what I had to do Spread oil dry over spots take a Cardboard box insert foot and scratch till spot is removed,well damn I kept that Island clean even though my Sneakers were smoking from the Friction, but damn it worked

I've had great results with ZEP Industrial Purple Cleaner.

Have you tried using Dawn original blue Dawn. I use it to get out grease stains on clothing all the time

I normally pour a 2 liter bottle coke and work it into stain and clears it up.

Pour out some kitty litter that has no color over the stain and step on it real hard grinding it to a fine dust. Make sure you cover the entire area and sweep it up. you won't notice there was any oil stains.

Usually normal cleaners won't work, the oil stains already seeped into the tile therefore need a product to absord the oil up the surface😅

You should have made the divisions vertically as the stains had different textures. But, thank you for the try

Also depends on how long the stains been on there..Some people have stains on for years

Thanks dude my friend parked In my drive way now my dad's mad💀

Anything good off seems to work well. Good video

I used oven cleaner, still required a bit of dawn and scrubbing. I did this within 2 days of a 2" circular drip leak My son says Purple Power driveway cleaner.

Any advice for active wet oil? For example, I just moved my Chevy Suburban and it looks like I just poured out a quart of motor oil on the driveway. I tried using some paper towels but didn't help me out much. Also, thank you so much for taking the time to post, love your videos.

Liked your video. Thank you for your test. You have helped me with problem now.

Hi, will this work on pavers as well?

I use dawn and awesome it works wonders

not fair. what if the grease deposit is in a garage where you cant just easily power wash the residue away??

Would goof off work on flagstones?

During soak, Cover with a plastic sheet (using wood etc. strips to keep the sheet off the stains) to prevent drying out to keep the cleaning product 'active' ?????? It would 'seem' that the enhanced longer 'active' soak would be beneficial - IMO.

Bentonite will pull oil stains, then finish with trisodium phosphate aka tsp wall cleaner at Home Depot