How do I Choose the Best Oil Stain Remover?

Before you can choose the best oil stain remover, you must first keep in mind the type of material that needs to be cleaned. Fabrics and other fragile items will need a much different approach than stained cement or concrete. Once you have determined how abrasive or gentle your approach must be, you can try various methods for oil stain removal to find the one that works the best. Just remember that fabrics should not be put into a dryer until you are certain the stain is entirely gone. Set-in stains are much harder to remove than fresh ones, so to find the option that is right for you, be sure you attempt to remove the stain as quickly after it occurs as possible.

For fabrics, you may have to choose an oil stain remover based on the type of material. Silk, for example, will likely not do well if treated with a harsh chemical solvent or if scrubbed with an abrasive material. Most fabrics can be pretreated with a commercial product designed for that purpose. Some are harsher than others, so make sure you read labels if you are dealing with a more delicate fabric. Once you have pre-treated the stain, wash the item in the hottest water allowable based on the fabric type. Allow the fabric to air dry.

If you are trying to choose the best oil stain remover for spills on concrete, such as on the sidewalk or in your garage, start by pouring cola onto the stain and leaving it overnight. The next day, attempt to scrub the stain away by using a generous amount of dish detergent and hot water, along with a good scrub brush. Rinse the area with a hose. Remaining stains may need a more harsher cleanser.

Stains that are not easily removed or that are set into the stone may require additional treatments before you can choose the best oil stain remover. Try covering the stain with baking soda or a commercial garage cleaner and scrubbing it with a stiff brush or push broom. Add boiling water to help loosen the oil. If this doesn’t work, you may need to use a pressure washer along with a high powered cleaning agent, such as muriatic acid. This should be used as a last resort, because such cleaning materials can be hazardous.

When using powerful cleaning agents and pressure washers, be sure to wear protective clothing, gloves, and goggles before you begin cleaning. Be sure you don’t rinse the chemicals into storm drains, as this could contaminate the local water supply. Try all other cleaning methods before you use a pressure washer, because if you set the machine too high, you could damage the concrete surface.