The Affordable Kitchen Staple To Use For Removing Oil Stains From Your Asphalt Driveway

Having a new driveway laid is a big investment. Asphalt driveways are one of the most popular choices nowadays because of their high durability and lower cost outlay. Asphalt is a building material that is made up of crushed gravel and sand and is commonly poured at temperatures of up to 250 degrees for driveways -– it provides a smoother and darker finish than traditional tarmac. One issue that's often reported is that oil stains caused by leaking vehicles stick out like a sore thumb and are hard to get rid of. But there is an everyday kitchen item that will help clean up oil stains on your driveway – baking soda.

Baking soda is a cleaning staple when it comes to removing stains. It's an effective way to remove oil from your asphalt driveway because it absorbs the oil and acts as a gentle abrasive, helping remove any residue that's leftover. All you're going to need is a good amount of baking soda, some water, and a stiff-bristled brush. 

A little bit of baking soda and water can make a thick paste perfect for removing oil stains. First, make a thick paste by mixing a good amount of baking soda with a small amount of water. Add the water bit by bit to make sure you don't overdo it. Ideally, it should be the texture of peanut butter. Use a trowel to spread the mixture on top of the oil stain -–  applying a nice thick layer is perfect! It's a good idea to let it sit on top of the stain for at least an hour to let it fully sink in. Once an hour has passed, take a stiff-bristled brush and scrub the stain in a circular motion. Once you've felt like you've scrubbed enough, rinse with cold water, and fingers crossed your oil stain will be no more -– it's definitely a baking soda cleaning hack that's worth trying! 

If there are still remnants of the oil stain on your driveway, level up your mixture with white vinegar. The baking soda reacts with the white vinegar and creates a powerful cleaning solution. Simply apply baking soda on top of the stain and spray white vinegar on top of it. Leave it to soak for 30-60 minutes and scrub vigorously.