Question:

How do I get oil spots off my driveway and garage floor?

Answer:

An oil spot can put a damper on an otherwise spick-and-span surface. Follow these guidelines to eliminate that eyesore in a flash.

Absorb the grease by covering the spill with standard kitty litter (which contains clay that draws in moisture and causes liquids to clump).

Add just enough petroleum-based solvent, such as paint thinner or mineral spirits, to wet the mixture.

Cover with a plastic garbage bag. “This is the most important part of the process,” says Don Aslett, a cleaning expert in Pocatello, Idaho. “It will ensure that the spot stays wet and the solvent doesn’t evaporate.”

After 24 hours, the “kitty litter should appear black,” which means it has soaked up all the oil, says Aslett. If the kitty litter hasn’t changed color, repeat the process.

— Danielle Armstrong