7 Ways to Clean Oil from the Floor

This article was co-authored by Susan Stocker and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.

There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Whether you’re dealing with cooking oil, motor oil, or anything in between, cleaning the greasy substance off your floors can be a pain. Thankfully, there are a few household substances you can use to absorb oil on your floor and make cleanup much easier. We’ve answered some of your questions about cleaning oil off the floor so you can make your home shine like new again.

Steps

How do you clean oil off a vinyl or tile floor?

1. 1Spray white vinegar over the oil. Pour undiluted white vinegar into a spray bottle, then mist the entire area. Focus your spray directly over the oily spots to really break down the grease.[1] X Research source
2. 2Wipe the area with a towel after 5 to 10 minutes. Vinegar works to break down oil and make it much easier to clean. After waiting, grab a clean towel or cloth and wipe up the spill to reveal a clean, oil-free floor.[2] X Research source

How do you clean oil off carpet?

1. 1Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch over the area. Both of these substances will absorb the excess oil and make it easier to clean. If you don’t have either on hand, you can also use kitty litter.[3] X Research source
2. 2Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum the area. Your absorbing substance will have soaked up the majority of the oil and grease. Carefully run your vacuum over the area, going slowly so you don’t push the oil back into the carpet.[4] X Research source
3. 3Blot the stain with detergent and white vinegar. If the stain isn’t quite gone, mix 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of dishwashing detergent with 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of white vinegar and 2 cups (470 mL) of warm water. Use a clean cloth to blot the mixture onto the area, then rinse it with cool water.[5] X Research source

How do you clean oil off hardwood?

1. 1Apply Fuller’s Earth to the oily area. Fuller’s Earth is a clay product that soaks up oil fast without damaging your hardwood. Buy it at the hardware store and sprinkle a thin layer over the oily area.[6] X Research source
2. 2Wait for 15 minutes, then scrape up the paste. Grab a butter knife or a pallet knife and gently scrape the paste up, being careful not to gouge your floors. Scrape the paste into the garbage to get rid of the majority of the oil.[7] X Research source

How do you clean oil off concrete?

1. 1Sprinkle baking soda or kitty litter on the oil. It will absorb the excess oil and make the area much easier to clean. Make sure the entire oil patch is covered to make the most out of your cleaning supplies.[8] X Research source
2. 2Wait for around 1 hour. Give the baking soda or kitty litter time to work. Leave the area be and let the oil soak in. For a super large stain, you might want to let it sit overnight.[9] X Research source
3. 3Sweep the area. Grab a stiff broom and sweep the baking soda or kitty litter into a garbage bag. If any baking soda or kitty litter residue is left, rinse the area with clean water.[10] X Research source

How do you remove tough oil stains from concrete?

1. 1Spray a degreaser over the area. Head to the hardware store and grab an industrial-strength degreaser to tackle tough stains. Spray the degreaser over the entire stain to lift up the ingrained grease, then use a nylon brush to scrub it.[11] X Research source
2. 2Apply TSP to the area. Put on goggles and gloves to protect your skin and your eyes. Mix 1 part of Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) to 6 parts of water. Apply it to the stain, then let it dry for at least 20 hours. When it’s dry, sweep it away to remove the oil stain.[12] X Research source

Does Dawn dish soap remove oil from concrete?

1. Yes, Dawn dish soap can remove oil from concrete. Simply squirt a few drops of the dish soap onto the concrete, then scrub it in with a nylon brush. Rinse the soap away with clean water and let the floor air dry. If the stain is still there, repeat the process a few more times.[13] X Research source
   • For better results, do this after letting baking soda sit over the stain for a few minutes.

Can you clean grease stains with olive oil?

1. Yes, you can tackle tough stains with olive oil. Although it sounds counterintuitive, using a bit of olive oil can actually help loosen up the grease and get rid of tough stains. Pour some olive oil onto a paper towel and wipe the area clean. You can get rid of the olive oil grease by using white vinegar or baking soda.[14] X Research source

Expert Q&A

Tips

• If there’s any broken glass in the area (like from a broken bottle of olive oil), put on rubber gloves and use paper towels to scoop the glass into the garbage.

Warnings

• If you’re going to use TSP as a cleaner, read the manufacturer’s instructions and safety labels before you start.[15] X Research source
• Be extra careful with vinegar, since it can eat up the finish of your flooring.

Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cleaning floors, check out our in-depth interview with Susan Stocker.

References

1. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-green-clean-grease-from-138621
2. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-green-clean-grease-from-138621
3. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a17181/stains-motor-oil-grease-may07/
4. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a17181/stains-motor-oil-grease-may07/
5. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a17181/stains-motor-oil-grease-may07/
6. ↑ https://www.oliverandgrapely.com/how-to-clean-up-olive-oil-from-granite-carpet-other-surfaces/
7. ↑ https://www.oliverandgrapely.com/how-to-clean-up-olive-oil-from-granite-carpet-other-surfaces/
8. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-concrete-stains/
9. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-concrete-stains/

1. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-concrete-stains/
2. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/cleaning/22289389/cleaning-concrete
3. ↑ https://www.concreteconstruction.net/concrete-production-precast/making-oil-stains-disappear_o
4. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/surface/how-to-remove-oil-stains-from-driveway/
5. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-green-clean-grease-from-138621
6. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/cleaning-with-tsp-trisodium-phosphate/