How to remove oil stains from paving stones: One option is WD-40

When I look at the floor of my grandfather’s garage, I know it’s too late for him. But many people may still find the following advice useful. Most drivers have at some point encountered greasy oil stains on the paving stones or on the concrete under the car. Getting rid of them isn’t easy, but it is possible if you do it in time. So the floor in our garage is already so covered with stains that it looks like art and it might be a shame to do something about it. But if you don’t want the same outcome, read carefully.

It’s not just about how it looks in your garage. In some countries, there are even penalties for oil stains you leave behind in car parks, for example. So it’s a good idea to keep an eye on this and be prepared to deal with it if you have an accident.

WD-40 solves a lot of problems

Probably every driver knows what WD-40 is. It’s a multi-purpose technical spray that is mainly used for lubrication, loosening rusted parts, protecting metal from corrosion, and displacing moisture. It is one of the best known maintenance products in the world. However, few people realize that it is also a solvent that can help you get rid of grease stains from oil.

“Using WD-40 to remove stains from seats and other textiles is a very good idea. Because of its solvent properties, it also works well for removing small, greasy stains,” says Joana Sadovskaya, an upholstery expert at Lovesofas. Yes, this product can also handle oil stains left under your car. But you need to act fairly quickly, because once the oil has damaged the surface more severely, there’s nothing you can do about it.

If you leave an oil stain somewhere in a public area, you need to inform the owner that you can’t remove it. For example, in Germany (but also in other countries), you will have to pay the cleaning company out of your own pocket. So WD-40 in your trunk can save you quite a bit of money.

Even ordinary cat litter will help

I guess no one expects that if you have an oily accident in a parking lot, you’ll start emptying cat litter out of the trunk. But if such a problem occurs at home and you’re a cat owner, litter in your pets’ litter box can really save the day.

The litter box needs to be fresh, the litter will then make a great impression as it has excellent absorption properties. Simply spread it all over the grease spot and leave it on ideally overnight. The oil will soak into it and the next day you can just throw the litter away and wipe the mess underneath with a rag soaked in water and a little detergent. Unfortunately my grandfather didn’t know these tricks, so our garage smells of oil and we’ll never get rid of the spots on the floor. But it may not be too late for the rest of you.