Cleaning oil off of concrete driveway

jennyk213

My car leaked oil on the driveway. Has anyone used eco-friendly methods for cleaning it?

I looked online and found everything from cleaning it with gasoline (???) to baking soda. Just wondering what actually works that isn't going to be full of chemicals.

We're going to pick up some kitty litter this weekend to absorb the excess oil. How do we dispose of it? I hate to throw it in the trash.

CDMay2006

Kitty litter -- soak it up, sweep it up and toss it.  Unless you have hydrocarbon-eating bacteria on hand  

PDX

I think kitty litter is the way to go. And, yep, you would just have to toss it, which does suck, but I'm guessing in the long run it's probably the best alternative because whatever you use will have be soaked in oil so it'll have to be thrown out too. Or will burn into the air?! Is that what you're suppose to do with the gasoline?

SuperGreen

CDMay2006:

Kitty litter -- soak it up, sweep it up and toss it.  

This.

jennyk213

PDX:

I think kitty litter is the way to go. And, yep, you would just have to toss it, which does suck, but I'm guessing in the long run it's probably the best alternative because whatever you use will have be soaked in oil so it'll have to be thrown out too. Or will burn into the air?! Is that what you're suppose to do with the gasoline?

I don't quite get the gasoline. I think you're supposed to scrub the oil spots with gasoline, which does not seem safe or very environmentally friendly at all. 

WA1215

I just recently read somewhere to use baking soda to clean it up.

nursecramer

jennyk213:

PDX:

I think kitty litter is the way to go. And, yep, you would just have to toss it, which does suck, but I'm guessing in the long run it's probably the best alternative because whatever you use will have be soaked in oil so it'll have to be thrown out too. Or will burn into the air?! Is that what you're suppose to do with the gasoline?

I don't quite get the gasoline. I think you're supposed to scrub the oil spots with gasoline, which does not seem safe or very environmentally friendly at all.

Gasoline will act as a solvent to break up the oil so it can be mechanically removed. Nobody should be claiming that this is Eco friendly, but it is effective.