Driveway oil stains are banished fast with expert’s ‘go-to’ home remedy

Driveways and patios are bound to pick up stains over time, no matter how careful you are.

With the inevitable drips and spills of oil, it's almost a given that these surfaces will get marked. While some homeowners might not fret over a few blemishes, for those who take pride in their pristine driveways, an oil stain can be a real headache.

The reason oil stains are such a nightmare to clean is that oil repels water, meaning regular hosing down won't do the trick.

Although there's a plethora of specialised cleaning products available for tackling driveway stains, they can often come with a hefty price tag and might not always work as expected.

However, the paving specialists at Terraform Driveways have let slip their top tip for dealing with these stubborn marks, reports the Express.

READ MORE: Aldi brings back shoppers' 'favourite' beauty product for just £4.99 - and it's just like L'Occitane

They swear by baking soda as their "go-to for getting rid of oil stains" on concrete and patio surfaces.

Baking soda is a champion at lifting oil due to its "ultra-absorbent" nature, especially when the spill is still fresh.

To tackle an oil stain, mix up a paste of baking soda and warm water, slather it over the affected area, and leave it to work its magic.

For a small spot, half an hour should do, but for larger or more stubborn stains, it's best to leave the paste on overnight. Afterward, grab a stiff-bristled brush and give it a good scrub.

It might require a bit of effort to completely eradicate the stain from your driveway, but if you act quickly and the stain hasn't set in, it's usually a manageable task. Finish off by rinsing the area with clean water.

Searching for another household remedy to tackle those pesky driveway oil stains? Well, laundry detergent might just be the solution.

Industry experts have shared an insider tip that laundry detergent is ideal for combating oil stains because it "contains surfactants and often a mild alkali". These specific molecules help water mingle with other substances, which makes them stellar at "dissolving dirt as well as oil".

For those reaching for the powdered variety, mix it into a paste with some warm water, slather that onto the stain, give it half an hour soak, then get scrubbing with a robust wire or nylon brush to banish any stubborn remnants.

Liquid detergent users can simplify the process even further; just decant the detergent right over the offending stain and put some elbow grease into the ensuing scrub with a bristle brush.

The final flourish involves hosing down the area to wash away leftover oil and soap. A dry surface will reveal if the oil menace has been vanquished, or if a second round of treatment is in order.