Let's face it - your garage floor is never going to be as clean and pristine as it was when you first installed it; garage floors come in contact with oil, grease, and dirt from your car, as well as any other tools that you store in the garage. Plus, it's unlikely that the average homeowner cleans their garage floor as often as they do their kitchen floor; this can mean that unsightly oil stains can accumulate and sink into your flooring.

Fortunately, it isn't too hard to clean up pesky oil stains, so long as you have the right materials and a hefty dose of that all-important elbow grease. In the following blog, we're going to show you how to clean garage floor oil stains safely and efficiently, using at-home tools and DIY solutions - let's take a look.

What causes oil stains on my garage floor?

A variety of factors can result in oil stains on your garage floor, but these most commonly come from car oil, as well as any other automotive fluids that may have leaked out when you were tinkering with a vehicle in the garage. However, oil spills can also occur if any tools or equipment stored in the garage leak oil or other liquids onto the floor. Like with all stains, the key to getting rid of them entirely is to act swiftly.

How to remove an old oil stain from garage floor

Old oil stains can be slightly trickier to remove, but it certainly isn't impossible to lift one. If the oil has fully sunk into the floor, you can try using a solvent such as trisodium phosphate; this is a strong chemical cleaner, so be sure to use protective gloves and safety goggles when handling it. Apply a generous amount of the solvent onto the stain and leave it for around 15 minutes before scrubbing at it with a stiff brush or broom; you may need to do this several times in order to fully remove the stain.

Once the oil stain has been removed, be sure to use a mop and warm, soapy water to give your garage floor a final clean. This will help prevent any residual toxins from the oil being left behind on your floor.

Remember to always take regular precautionary measures whenever dealing with oil stains; these include wearing protective gloves and masks when handling any chemical substances.

How to clean oil off a garage floor?

If you have an oil spill that has yet to sink into the floor, then you're in luck; handling a recent spill is much simpler than dealing with an old, set-in stain. Firstly, start by wiping up any excess oil using paper towels or a rag, making sure not to get any oil residue on your clothes (wear darker colors if you're worried about stains).

Next, grab some powdered laundry detergent and create a soapy mixture with warm water - you're going to use this mixture to lift the stain (with the added help of a hard-bristled brush.) Use vigorous movements, and then apply some of the powdered laundry soap on top of the stain (this helps absorb the oil). Let it sit for a moment (around 15 minutes) before removing and placing a newspaper on top of the stained area to let it dry.

If you're short on powdered laundry soap, you can instead make use of this helpful DIY tip: put kitty litter or baking soda on top of the stain once you've absorbed the excess; as these are both absorbent substances, they can help draw out any remaining oil from the floor.

Avoid oil stains on your garage floor with Swisstrax garage floor tiles

If you're bored of cleaning up oil stains on your garage floor, you can actually invest in oil-resistant and slip-resistant modular flooring that allows you to maneuver around your garage freely and safely - and tinker with as many vehicles as you like without ending up with unsightly oil stains ruining the appearance of your floor.

Swisstrax garage floor tiles are built to be chemical-resistant and heat-resistant, and are even protected from UV damage. They're also fully modular, and certain designs (such as their popular Racedex tiles) also come with grooved channeling, which allows any water or oil spillages to seep through the tile - rather than accumulate on the surface of your floor.

Not only are Swisstrax tiles almost indestructible, but they're also an easy way to transform your garage floor into something eye-catching and bold; with plenty of different designs, colors, and patterns, you can create a bespoke tiled floor in your garage that both looks and works like a dream.