How to Clean Hydraulic Fluid from Asphalt

If you have ever spilled hydraulic fluid on an asphalt surface, you know how difficult it can be to clean up. If it's left to sit, it can leave a dark stain that's a real eyesore. In addition, if you decide to paint or seal the asphalt later on, the oil can prevent the paint from properly bonding with the asphalt. Luckily, there are a number of ways you can treat a spill, whether it just happened or it's been sitting for a while!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Sprinkling Cat Litter

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1
Cover the area with cat box litter. Cat litter is made to be ultra-absorbent, and it can soak up a lot of the hydraulic fluid, drawing it out of the asphalt. This works best on a fresh spill, but it can be an effective first step at treating hydraulic fluid which has soaked in, as well.^{[1]XResearch source}
- If you prefer, you can use another absorbent material, like sawdust or granulated clay.
2
Use a push broom to spread the litter over the stain. Spread the cat litter out evenly, and try to push it down into the oil as much as you can. The smaller the granules of cat litter, the more effective it will be.^{[2]XResearch source}
- For even more absorption, grind the cat litter in using the soles of your shoes
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3
Let the cat litter sit overnight. You want to make sure to give the litter plenty of time to absorb the oil, so resist the temptation to remove it too soon.^{[3]XResearch source}
- If you can't wait overnight, give it at least 4-5 hours, but the longer it sits, the better.
4
Sweep up the litter and safely dispose of it. Use a stiff-bristled broom to sweep the cat litter onto newspaper or into a dustpan, then dispose of it in a safe place where it can't harm the environment. The best method is to take it to the landfill.
- Never throw the used litter into your yard. When it rains, the oil will get washed out and will contaminate your groundwater.
5
Scrub the area with liquid detergent if there's a stain remaining. If there's a greasy spot remaining, pour liquid detergent over the area and scrub the spot with a stiff-bristled brush. Rinse the area well with hot water when you're finished.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Alternatively, you could spread a thick paste made from baking soda and water over the stain and let it sit for 20 minutes, then rinse it away.
- If the hydraulic fluid stain is still obvious, you may need to try another removal method.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Dousing the Stain with Cola

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1
Clean up any excess oil. If the spill is fresh, you should absorb any oil from the surface of your driveway before you do anything else. You can do this with cat litter, or use absorbent pads if it's a small stain.^{[5]XResearch source}
- You can also spread sawdust or granulated clay over the area to absorb the excess oil.
The carbonation in plain cola can help break up and dissolve the hydraulic fluid. In addition, the fizzing action can help force the oil molecules out of the crevices in your asphalt.^{[6]XResearch source}
3
Work the cola into the area with a scrub brush or a bristle broom. You want to mix the two materials as much as possible, so really force the brush down into the asphalt, working in a circular motion.^{[7]XResearch source}
- This will also help the cola fizz up more, increasing its effectiveness.
Once the cola becomes flat, it will no longer be effective. Don't let it dry, or you'll just have a new stain you have to clean up.^{[8]XResearch source}
5
Rinse the area with water. If you have a hose with an adjustable nozzle, turn it to the highest pressure you can. Spray the area thoroughly and let it dry.^{[9]XResearch source}
- If you don't have a hose, you can rinse the area by dumping water onto the stain instead.
6
Apply bleach, detergent, and hot water to remove any stains that are left. Sometimes the cola will leave a greyish spot after you rinse it away. If it does, pour a mixture of bleach, detergent, and very hot water onto the area. Keep pouring hot water over the area until the stain is gone.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Make sure the detergent you're using is ammonia-free. Mixing ammonia and bleach creates a very dangerous gas that can be harmful or fatal if inhaled.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Oven Cleaner

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1
Absorb any excess oil with sawdust or cat litter. If the spill is recent, sprinkle an absorbent material like sawdust, granulated clay, or cat litter over the hydraulic fluid. This will absorb the bulk of the oil.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Sweep up the oil and take it to the landfill when you're finished.
2
Spray the affected area with a biodegradable oven cleaner. Oven cleaner works by dissolving grease, and it's made to tackle the toughest jobs. Thoroughly saturate the hydraulic fluid stain, making sure to spray the cleaner all the way to the outside edges.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Choose a biodegradable product so you don't have to worry about rinsing harmful chemicals into your lawn.
3
Wait for about 30 minutes. This will give the cleaner plenty of time to eat into the hydraulic fluid, dissolving the oils deep in the porous surface of your asphalt. Follow all safety directions on the packaging, including wearing protective gloves and/or a mask if it's recommended.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Even though the cleaner is biodegradable, you should still keep children and pets away from the area while the product is present.
4
Rinse the cleaner away with water. Once the 30 minutes are up, turn the spray nozzle on your hose as high as you can and wash away the cleaner and any hydraulic fluid residue. At the very least, you should notice a dramatic improvement in the appearance of the oil stain.^{[14]XResearch source}
- If you don't have a hose, pour buckets of water onto the area until you've rinsed off all of the cleaner.

Expert Q&A

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Question
How do I seal an asphalt after cleaning it?
Sina Kamran
Hardscape Specialist
Sina Kamran is a Hardscaping Specialist and the Owner of Design Scapes, Inc. in Santa Monica, California. With over 15 years of experience, he specializes in customized, site-specific hardscaping and landscaping design/build projects. He's a certified National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) designer, a certified installer with the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI), and a Rain Bird Certified Irrigation Professional. Additionally, Design Scapes, Inc. has many 5-star rated reviews.
Sina Kamran
Hardscape Specialist
Expert Answer
You can apply a thin top coat to refinish the asphalt. This maintenance step is done approximately every other year or every three years. For cleaning, pressure washing is the most effective method.
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