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Robert Erickson's personal tips and help guide for the Handyman
Welcome to My HandymanPage!
This page is my attempt to gather information, links, etc for all who are interested in home improvement. Please feel free to e-mail me at: roberterickson7@hotmail.com with NEW articles, links etc. Check back with this site often as I will update it as often as I can. Enjoy the web site!
Home Improvement - CEMENT - GREASE STAINS ON CONCRETE AND CEMENT
Concrete, Cement - Grease Stains
In a garage, it is advisable to place a shallow metal
pan under the car to catch dripping oil. Spreading the
area under the car with sand or sawdust will help absorb
dripping oil. Periodically saturated sand or sawdust
should be scraped away and fresh, clean material put in
place. This will prevent tracking oil to other areas of
cement or into the house.
If oil or grease is spilled on porch or patio cement,
apply an absorbent powder such as fuller's earth,
cornmeal, or sawdust to absorb as much oil as possible
immediately. Leave it on stain for a few hours and sweep
up.
To remove the grease stain:
1. Using a stiff long handled brush, scrub stain with
concentrated detergent suds. Rinse well with hose. Dry
and repeat if necessary.
2. Sprinkle "dishwasher" detergent (dry) on wet concrete.
Let it stand a few minutes; pour boiling water on area.
Scrub and rinse. Use rubber gloves on hands.
3. Commercial Product: One brand is Garage and Driveway
Cleaner by Red Devil Co. available in paint or/and
hardware stores. It can also be used on blacktop
surfaces. Other similar brands may be available in your
area.
4. On wet oily surface of concrete, sprinkle with
trisodium phosphate. Allow to stand 15 to 30 minutes,
then scrub with stiff brush and hot water. Rinse with
clean water. Do not use on asphalt.
OR: Dissolve a cup trisodium of phosphate in 1 gallon of
hot water. Pour over stained cement surface generously
and allow to soak 15 to 20 minutes. Scrub vigorously with
stiff brush or broom. Rinse off with hose. Repeat if
necessary. Do not use on asphalt.
5. Scrub the concrete with a grease solvent to remove as
much as possible of the grease stain. Have good
ventilation and avoid spark or flame as solvents are
flammable. Benzine, often recommended, can ignite, just
from a spark from friction or rubbing.
6. Mix 1 part sodium citrate to 6 parts water and 6
parts glycerine and add enough whiting or fuller's earth
to make a thick paste. Spread paste on oil or grease
stain. Let stand 1 week. Add new paste when it dries.
Flush with water after brushing dry paste away. Repeat if
necessary.
From Mary Ellen
Delsipee and Isabel Jones, previous s.
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