How to Remove Oil from My Tarmac Drive
Oil stains.
They always appear in the exact spot you want to park. In this article, our knowledge and experience will help you – How to remove oil from my tarmac drive. Never anywhere else. Funny that. That your friend’s or family member’s car has an oil leak they didn’t know about until it’s parked on your pristine driveway.
If you’ve been asking, “How do I remove oil from my tarmac drive?”—you’re not alone.
It’s one of the most common questions we hear. Right after, “Do you clean patios?” and “Can you do something about that green stuff on the render?” (Yes, and yes.)
Anyway, here’s how to deal with oil on your tarmac. Without tearing your hair out.
Act fast (if you’re lucky)
Caught it early? Good.
Grab cat litter, sawdust, sand—whatever you’ve got handy that’ll soak up liquid.
Cover the oil. Leave it to absorb for 30–60 minutes.
Then sweep it up. Job half done.
If you’re not lucky and it’s been sitting there for days, weeks, don’t worry. There’s still hope. However in our 29 years experience, the sooner its dealt with the better tha chance of it all coming up.
Washing-up liquid + elbow grease
If it’s still fresh. Time to mix up some hot water and washing-up liquid.
Pour it over the stain. Let it sit for a minute.
Now scrub like you mean it.
Stiff brush. Circular motion. No mercy.
Then rinse with clean water.
Still there? Of course it is. Oil loves tarmac. Both oil and tarmac are derived from crude oil, so removing oil stains from tarmac can be problematic.
Use a tarmac-friendly degreaser
Still got a stain? Time for something stronger.
There are products made just for this. Look for a tarmac-safe degreaser—not the kind that’ll melt your driveway. Just be careful as some degreasers will soften the tarmac as both come from crude oil.
Apply it as instructed. Scrub again. Rinse like your driveway depends on it. Because it sort of does.
Still not shifting?
Don’t worry—we’ve got you.
At Alfresco Exterior Cleaning, we clean hundreds of driveways across Oxfordshire every year.
Oil stains. Moss. Algae. The odd unfortunate paint spill.
We’ve seen it all. And we’ve removed most of it.
We’re also Oxfordshire’s best-rated exterior cleaning company—so yes, your drive’s in good hands.
Final word
Oil on your tarmac is a pain.
But it’s not permanent.
Act quickly, scrub properly, and don’t be afraid to get a bit domestic.
Or call us, and we’ll make it vanish while you put the kettle on.
Easy.
Click HERE to contact us for a no obligation quote
or call us on 01235 754 000
