Grease stains on concrete are somewhat hard to remove. However, there is a way to get through it using appropriate methods. You can use a poultice to absorb the grease on your concrete surface, or a baking soda and trisodium phosphate method.
Using commercial degreaser is the easiest way to remove grease stains, but can also be replaced with plain baking soda and white vinegar.
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Removing grease stains on concrete using commercial degreaser
A commercial degreaser makes your task lighter when removing grease. These products are easily accessible online or available in local stores. The action of degreaser is to lift the stains off your concrete, helping you bring back your concrete’s clean and top condition.
One thing to consider with this method is the temperature outside. We recommend the use of a degreaser only when the temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The rationale behind this is to allow the release of grease. At this point, it is way easier to degrease the stained concrete. This becomes considerably more difficult in colder temperatures.
Aside from this, you also must remove the objects surrounding the grease stain. This is a way of protecting the surfaces of these objects from splashes when doing this method.
Follow the steps below to eliminate grease stains on concrete surfaces:
- Dilute the degreaser with clean water by mixing one-part degreaser to four parts water. The volume of this dilution is applicable when removing stubborn grease stains.
- Apply diluted degreaser to the grease-stained surface and allow it to sit for one to three minutes.
- After the allotted time has elapsed, apply the same diluted degreaser.
- Afterward, use a scrub brush to rub the grease stain off your concrete.
- Continue the application of the diluted degreaser until you remove the grease stain.
- Rinse the area you worked on with clean water to remove the remaining degreaser.
- Allow the area to dry.
Get rid of grease stains on concrete using baking soda poultice
You know that baking soda is an essential ingredient when baking. But you also must give credit to this product for being a great stain remover. Baking soda poultice, or paste, pulls the grease stains out of your concrete by allowing the stains to stick to it as it dries up.
Follow the steps below to bring back your concrete surface’s optimal condition:
- Prepare a poultice by gradually adding water and baking soda. Continue doing so until the consistency of the poultice is the same as pancake-batter.
- Clean the surface of the grease-stained concrete with plain water before applying the paste.
- Put a generous amount of poultice on the grease stains.
- Grab a plastic wrap to cover the poultice. Use scotch tape to secure the sides of the plastic wrap.
- Leave the poultice on the concrete overnight, or between six to eight hours.
- Return and inspect the poultice after the said time.
- Remove the scotch tape and plastic wrap to uncover the poultice.
- Using a dull-edged object, scrape the paste off the concrete.
- Dispose of the debris and the used materials.
- Afterward, rinse the area and allow it to dry.
Combat grease stains on concrete using baking soda
The use of baking soda poultice is different from the use of baking soda alone. In this method, you don’t need to add water to create a baking soda paste. This technique uses baking soda, which can absorb excess grease and cleanse of the stain it left behind.
Follow these steps to combat grease stains on concrete surfaces with baking soda:
- Cover the grease spill with baking soda. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes.
- Prepare a solution by mixing warm water and liquid soap. No exact amount is necessary as long as the solution can form a lather (frothy white mass of bubbles).
- Dip a nylon brush in the bucket that holds the solution.
- Use the soaked nylon brush to scrub the baking soda against the grease-stained concrete.
- Continue scrubbing in a circular motion until the grease stain disappears.
- Rinse the area and allow it to dry.
This method does not require any waiting time because scrubbing the stain helps speed up the removal. It is ideal for eliminating fresh grease spills on concrete. However, using baking soda alone will not be enough to remove stubborn old stains.
Win against grease stains on concrete using trisodium phosphate
You already know that the baking soda is a two-in-one grease stain remover for fresh stains. But since old grease stains are hard for the baking soda to remove, you can also use trisodium phosphate (TSP). When battling against grease stains on concrete, the use of TSP can perform a three-in-one role. All at the same time, TSP can degrease your concrete, remove the grease stain, and clean up grease residues.
The following are the steps to remove old stains with TSP:
- In a bucket, make a solution of a cup of trisodium phosphate with a gallon of water. Mix well.
- Add sawdust to the bucket until you reach a thick consistency as that of a paste.
- Cover the grease-stained surface with the trisodium phosphate paste.
- Allow the paste to stay in contact with the stain overnight.
- In the morning, scrape the paste off the stained surface.
- Rinse the area and dry it with a clean cloth.
Remember, when doing this method, you must use protective gloves and eye shields, as TSP can be harmful when mishandled.
Commonly asked questions about grease stains
How can I minimize staining after an incident of grease spill?
First, you must apply sawdust or cat litter to absorb the excess grease and prevent it from setting in. You can also use any absorbent cloth or paper towel as alternatives. After containing the spill, you can try some grease stain removal methods like a baking soda paste.
Can I use muriatic acid to remove grease stains on concrete?
Yes. Using muriatic acid is the usual go-to method when other milder stain removal techniques are unsuccessful in eliminating stubborn grease stains on concrete surfaces. This potent acid can clean grease-stained concrete surfaces by causing acid etching on your concrete. However, this method is not ideal in removing stains, as handling muriatic acid is extremely dangerous.
Is it safe to use acetone when removing concrete grease stains?
Yes. Using acetone is relatively safe, and it can remove grease stains by causing the stain to loosen off your concrete. It is usually coupled with other products that can remove stains. For instance, combining acetone and baking soda can help you create a poultice that can remove old stubborn grease stains on any concrete surface.
Wrapping Up
Your garage, driveway, and patio are the common concrete surfaces where grease stains can occur. Whether you use a commercial degreaser or a baking soda paste, the methods for removing this type of stain may be time-consuming, but there is no other way to effectively remove grease stains.
