If you have a concrete or asphalt driveway, it’s likely to become filthy over time. Cleaning it is very simple and requires a few tools. Nothing is more annoying than learning that the delivery van spilled oil on your driveway. Moreover, the dried leaves you didn’t pick up last fall left stubborn dark stains that won’t wash away.
Don’t worry; you can still handle these stains without affecting the overall appearance of your home.
With the right tools and a little effort, you can quickly restore the appearance of your driveway. Here are some of the best driveway cleaning techniques to help you get rid of any stains or discoloration on your driveway. With the help of these tips, you can deep clean your asphalt and concrete, as explained by our asphalt paving experts:
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Remove Dust And Residues
Remove the dirt and debris from the surface before you deep clean your asphalt or concrete. Brush all the dirt out of the cracks and crevices with a long-handled push broom with stiff bristles. Make sure to apply pressure to loosen up the debris while cleaning the driveway with a broom.
Once you have removed all the debris, you are all set for the pressure cleaning of the driveway.
Paint and varnish overspray, dribbles of motor oil, and even the occasional permanent marker when the kids play hopscotch are all common stains on a well-used driveway. Some stains and debris can remove and wash off away with a garden hose.
However, others require high-quality stain removal solutions and services with the help of professional contractors. So, choose the cleaning and stain removal options accordingly.
DIY Methods To Clean The Asphalt Driveway
Consider attempting one of these methods to get rid of things like oil, dead leaves, grease, mud, bird droppings, and more if you cannot afford the pressure cleaning of the driveway Sprinkle baking soda over an oil or grease stain and scrape the baking soda into the stain with a long-handled push broom with stiff bristles.
Let the soda sit on the stains for at least 30 minutes before rinsing with water.
Additionally, use kitty Litter for damp stains; kitty litter is a fantastic option for stubborn and established stains. Leave the area covered with clay-based kitty litter overnight. Pick up the litter in the morning and throw it away.
You can also use mild cleaners or detergents to clean the oil stains. Pour a small amount of water over the stain and sprinkle some powdered washing detergent on top. Using a long-handled push broom with solid bristles, scrub the mixture into the area. Allow the cleaner to sit on the surface for 30 minutes before rinsing with a hose.
How To Remove The Oil Stains From The Driveway?
If you’re dealing with a stain that still has oil on the surface, blot it up as much as you can. By scattering kitty litter over the entire stain and allowing the oil to sink into the kitty litter, stains can remove quickly. The litter can be swept up and thrown away once the litter has soaked the excess oil.
Moreover, the most common approach for removing the stain is to use Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP. All you need to do is making a paste with Tri-sodium and water to the desired consistency. Using a large brush, scrub the paste into the stain. Allow thirty minutes for the paste to sit before rinsing it off with water.
It’s also possible to use commercial degreasers. However, you should avoid using a chemical-based degreaser. It will simply make the driveway worse. Anyhow, scrub the degreaser into the stain to break down the oil and then rinse it off with water, as directed on the bottle.
Pressure Cleaning Of Driveway
It is one of the most suitable methods to clean all kinds of stains and spills from the asphalt driveway. Well, you don’t need to buy pressure cleaning tools. The best thing is that you can rent these tools from professional cleaners and contractors at affordable rates.
Ideally, the pressure washing will help move all kinds of dust, even from the cracks and gaps of the driveway. If the stains are still on the driveway, use the cleaners and detergent along with pressure cleaning for the best results.
Use A Mild Oven Cleaner For Asphalt Driveway Follow-Up
Spray a biodegradable oven cleaning product on the remaining spill after absorbing the excess spills. Make sure to use the organic oven cleaner. So, you don’t splash or rinse caustic chemicals into your nearby lawns or gardens. Let the cleaner sit on the spills for at least 30 minutes before rinsing with a garden hose.
The oven cleaner will help to remove and move out all the reaming oil by solving it. After that, you can simply wash off the driveway with water.
How To Remove The Tire Marks From The Driveway?
If you drift or brake too quickly, your car may leave unsightly black tire markings on the driveway that are difficult to remove. On asphalt driveways, tire markings are almost imperceptible.
But it would be more challenging to remove the tire marks from the concrete driveway than Asphalt. You can remove the tire marks from the asphalt driveway with little effort.
To loosen and dissolve the stains, spray a natural driveway cleaner and degreaser on the marks and let them sit for a few minutes. Scrub the marks with a firm nylon bristle brush before the concrete cleaner evaporates. Use a jet setting on a garden hose nozzle or a power washer, spray away the residue efficiently.
Repeat the procedures if the marks are still present on the driveway.
If your driveway still suffers from stains and spills, hire professional cleaners to achieve the best cleaning results. Hopefully, the mentioned above points will help you to clean the driveway yourself more efficiently and effortlessly. It takes a little bit effort to clean the marks, but not too much.
