Don’t you just hate looking at gross and dirty oil-stained driveways and sidewalks on your property? Whether it is a commercial or residential property, a dirty sidewalk and driveway are eyesores.
It would be great to just have your pavements redone by residential and commercial concrete contractors in Utah, West Virginia, or wherever you are in the country. That way, you end up with high-quality pavements that add to the curb appeal of your property. However, that is not the case with most folks, especially those working on a budget. Fortunately, we have listed down a few DIY hacks to clean those greasy and stained pavements.
Hacks for Getting Rid of Stains on Your Sidewalk and Driveway
Before starting, prep your sidewalk and driveway by giving it a little hosing and brushing to take out any loose grass, weed, and dirt. Let it dry up a bit before proceeding.
Ammonia
Discoloration on pavements due to aging and sun exposure are not exactly pleasant to look at. Minimize discoloration on your sidewalk and driveway by scrubbing it down with an ammonia solution. Mix a cup of ammonia with a gallon of water and give your pavement a good scrubbing. Hose it down once you are done.
Baking Soda
Colder seasons bring in ice on your walkway and garage. These ice-melt formations and salt can stain, and even eat away, the concrete around your property.To minimize its damaging effects, sprinkle baking soda generously around your property. You may add some sand for better traction.
Kool-Aid
Get rid of rust stains on concrete with Kool-Aid. Add unsweetened lemonade to hot water and give the concrete a good scrubbing. Hose it down afterward and see the rust stain come off.
Oven Cleaner
Tired of seeing unsightly oil, grease, and transmission fluid stains in your garage or on your driveway? Grab a bottle of oven cleaner and spray it directly on the stains. Leave it for about five to ten minutes to let it settle. Afterward, get a stiff brush and scrub them down. Wash it off with a high-pressure hose. A second or a third application may be required for stubborn, hard-to-remove stains.
Soda
For fresh oil stains, grab a can or two of soda and pour it onto the stain. Leave it overnight to maximize the chemical reaction before cleaning it thoroughly the following day.
WD-40
For ugly oil spots and grease stains, spray a generous amount of WD-40 on the affected area and hose it down with a high-pressure garden hose.
Kitty Litter
Another quick remedy for fresh oil stains is a cheap pack of clay-based kitty litter. Cover the stain with the litter and stomp on the granules so they absorb as much oil as they can. Leave overnight and then sweep the granules the next day. Give it a good washing afterward.
A clean and fresh looking driveway and sidewalk do not only add curb appeal to your property, but it also helps increase its value in case you’re looking at selling in the near future.
Photo by Kevin Wolf on Unsplash