If you have a concrete patio or driveway, most likely you have experienced grease stains. On the table or grill, greasy foods like hamburgers, hot dogs, and salad dressing can spill over. Cars can also leak oil, which leaves dark stains. Even though concrete is a tough surface that can handle the weather and other elements, grease quickly soaks into its porous surface and leaves an oily film that is hard to clean.
To get rid of grease on concrete, you can use baking soda. It will naturally pull out the grease without damaging the surface. This cheap, everyday item is less dangerous than degreasers and works well to remove grease, neutralize acids, and soak up smells. Unlike vinegar cleaners, there is no risk of baking soda degrading the cement. Baking soda also serves as a mild abrasive when scrubbed on a surface as a cleaner. Heres how to eliminate grease and oil stains from concrete with baking soda.
Nothing ruins the look of your patio driveway or garage floor like unsightly grease stains. Bacon grease splatters can be one of the hardest stains to remove from concrete. But with the right techniques you can erase those nasty grease marks and restore the clean look of your concrete surfaces.
In this guide, we’ll go over the best methods for getting bacon grease off concrete, along with tips for prevention With a bit of elbow grease and the proper products, you can defeat bacon grease stains and keep your concrete spotless
Causes of Bacon Grease Stains on Concrete
Hot grease from cooking bacon can easily splatter onto nearby concrete when frying. Bits of fried bacon can also drop, leaving behind oily residue.
Over time, the grease penetrates the porous concrete, leaving a darkened stain. Engine oil, transmission fluid and other automotive fluids can also cause oily stains.
Grease stains ruin the appearance of garage shop floors, patios sidewalks and driveways. The longer they set the harder they become to remove.
How to Remove Old Dried Bacon Grease Stains from Concrete
For older, dried grease stains on concrete:
- Apply a degreaser like Cleanser Degreaser by Oil Eater, Chomp Pull It Out Oil/Stain Remover, or a citrus-based degreaser.
- Let the degreaser soak for 15-20 minutes. This gives it time to break down the grease.
- Use a stiff nylon bristle brush to scrub the concrete. Scrubbing helps agitate the grease and lift it from the pores.
- Rinse thoroughly with a garden hose or pressure washer.
- Check for any remaining stain and repeat the process if needed.
For extremely stubborn grease stains, a mix of baking soda and vinegar can help further break down the grease after degreasing:
- Make a paste with 3 parts baking soda to 1 part vinegar.
- Apply the paste and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Scrub with a brush then rinse.
Power washing or renting a concrete floor cleaner may be needed for porously stained garage shop floors or old driveways.
Cleaning Up Fresh Bacon Grease Spills on Concrete
For fresh grease spills:
- Blot up any pooled grease immediately with rags or paper towels. This prevents it from penetrating deeper.
- Sprinkle baking soda or corn starch onto the spill to absorb residual grease.
- Sweep up the baking soda or cornstarch once absorbed.
- Scrub with warm soapy water and rinse. Dish soap helps cut through grease.
- Use a degreaser if any stain remains.
Catching fresh spills quickly is key before the grease bonds to the concrete.
Tips for Preventing Bacon Grease Stains
While removing grease stains from concrete takes effort, preventing them in the first place is easier:
- Always cook bacon on broiling pans or sheets to catch hot grease. Avoid direct contact with concrete or stone.
- Absorb drips from cooked bacon with paper towels immediately.
- Cover concrete surfaces near cooking areas with removable rugs or mats. These can protect concrete and are easier to clean.
- Clean spills right away as fresh stains come out easier.
- Use a splatter screen when frying to prevent grease mess.
- Properly dispose of bacon grease. Never pour it down drains which can clog pipes.
With some diligence, you can fry bacon without creating lasting stains. But even if spills happen, use this guide to get rid of any bacon grease marks. A little cleaning effort will keep your concrete spotless.
How to Remove Grease From Concrete With Baking Soda
Pour a thick coat of dry baking soda over the entire grease stain or stains. Act quickly if you can so that the stain doesnt have time to darken and set in. Let the baking soda sit for at least 30 minutes.
Brush Away the Baking Soda (Optional)
At this point, the baking soda will have absorbed some of the grease. If you had a big grease spill, scrape off the extra by rubbing oil-soaked baking soda into a dustpan and throwing it away. Sprinkle a fresh layer of baking soda, which will act as a cleaner once you add water.
Removing oil stains from concrete, BEST technique I’ve ever tried with AMAZING results! #536
FAQ
How to get bacon grease off a patio?
Does Dawn dish soap remove oil from concrete?
Can grease damage concrete?
How to remove cooking grease from concrete?
Rinse the surface with fresh water. This is similar to the baking powder method, but it allows you to step away for most of the process. This poultice remedy shows you how to remove cooking grease from concrete using baking soda. By adding another key ingredient, you will be able to remove grease from the concrete with ease.
How do you remove BBQ grease stains from concrete?
Washing soda is a chemical ingredient that is used to get stubborn stains out of laundry. Baking soda is a chemical leavening mixture. Pour the solution onto the affected patches of concrete and scrub it into the concrete using a stiff nylon brush. Rinse the concrete and repeat until the BBQ grease stain is gone.
Can baking soda remove grease from concrete?
By adding another key ingredient, you will be able to remove grease from the concrete with ease. Baking soda also works well as a carpet stain cleaner, too, if you have some grease on the carpet. Start with about 2 cups of acetone, then mix in baking soda until the solution is about the consistency of paste.
How do you remove grease stains from a concrete floor?
Use the soapy brush to scrub the baking soda into the stain until the stain is gone. Give the area a good rinsing and allow it to dry. This method uses trisodium phosphate (TSP) to absorb grease stains and clean a concrete basement floor. It’s an inorganic compound that produces an alkaline solution when mixed with water.