Filthy driveway oil stains? Just dust, brush

Q: I read your article on removing oil stains from brick pavers. I don’t know if my solution will solve the problem on brick, but I know it works great on concrete.

Simply dust ready-mix dry concrete over the oil spot. Let it set for a few minutes (or even hours), and sweep up with a sturdy broom. Don’t vacuum — let the bristles do the work and scrub up the excess concrete powder. My brother was a mechanic, and this is how they cleaned up the shop. At his suggestion I tried this method, and the concrete came back good as new. Just remember to use the ready-mix concrete powder, with no rocks. — Callie F., Brighton, Tenn.

A: Many thanks for a fantastic suggestion! Ready-mix concrete will absorb oil even if it is an older stain, since the powder can get into the pores easily, and it can be swept away quickly. This might also be a solution for brick — since the material is also porous — although the color difference between dry concrete powder and some types of brick might be an issue.

Test the powder in an inconspicuous spot before applying to larger stains.

Older oil stains can be extremely difficult to remove completely, so it’s important to check the driveway regularly for fresh drips. Sop them up quickly with an old rag. The remaining stain should be rinsed away before it dries; if it doesn’t dissipate with prompt treatment, let the driveway dry out and try the dry concrete method.

Come to think of it — with summer on the way and with potential water restrictions in some areas — using dry concrete powder is a good alternative to pressure-washing driveway spots.