It's no secret - oil stains are the bane of driveways and garages everywhere. They're stubborn, unsightly, and downright slippery. But did you know that an unlikely hero lurks in your kitty's litter box? Indeed, cat litter possesses an uncanny ability to soak up oil like a champ.
But amidst a plethora of choices, which one is the cat's meow for the task? Keep reading as we unveil the champion litters and share a roadmap to an oil-free driveway or garage.
The Litter League: Unearthing The Best In Oil Cleanup
It turns out that when it comes to handling oil stains and spills, not all litter is created equal. While they might all seem up to the task, the clay-based contenders are the ones you'll want on your cleanup crew.
They have a natural knack for soaking up oil, making even the most budget-friendly options surprisingly effective. However, the more absorbent the litter, the quicker it can wrestle with and win over the oil spill.
Now, armed with the knowledge that clay litters are your driveway's best ally, the question arises: which brands stand out from the crowd?
Read on as we delve into the array of options on the market, highlight the most effective ones, and guide you on how to utilize kitty litter for your oil cleanup mission.
Best Clay Litters For Oil Stains
There are plenty of options out there when it comes to clay cat litter. How do you know which to choose for cleaning up oil stains and spills? Your options can be categorized by budget, ability to absorb, and accessibility.
Let's take a closer look at some available brands of clay cat litter to use on oil stains.
Nature's Miracle Intense Defense
Nature's Miracle is a well-known brand, so you know you'll be getting what you paid for. This clay litter is fast-acting and known for its super-absorbing formula. You can find buckets of this litter ranging from fourteen to forty-two pounds.
Find Nature's Miracle Intense Defense here on Amazon.
Purina Tidy Cats Non-Clumping Cat Litter
Both clumping and non-clumping clay litters can be used to clean up oil stains and spills. Purina Tidy Cats' non-clumping litter is an affordable option for the job. It is another litter known for its absorption and moisture control properties.
Amazon offers Purina Tidy Cats Non-Clumping Cat Litter here.
Fresh Step Non-Clumping Premium Cat Litter
Fresh Step has been making cat litter for centuries. This non-clumping formula is one of the cheapest and is great for oil spills or stains. This brand is even labeled for these uses, as well as paint clean-up and creating traction on slippery roads or driveways.
Get a bag of Fresh Step Non-Clumping Litter here on Amazon.
How To Clean Oil Stains And Spills Using Kitty Litter
Once you decide on a litter to use, you can move on to cleaning up the oil stain or spills in your driveway. Oil stains may appear from the expected motor oil. However, these stains can happen from transmission fluids, gasoline, and rock salts.
We will show you how to get your surface free of oil stains or spills using your cat litter. Let's take a closer look.
1. Cover The Spill Or Stain Completely
You should cover the area right away when you notice an oil stain or spill. The sooner you get your kitty litter down, the easier the spill is to clean up. Lay plenty of litter over the spill, reaching all edges and then some.
Larger spills require more kitty litter. This is why it is recommended to stick to cheaper bags of litter.
After you lay down your litter, you can increase the absorption by applying pressure to the litter with your foot or a brick. You can continue to apply pressure and move the litter back and forth to create finer granules of litter.
2. Allow The Litter To Sit
After covering the spill or stain, allow the litter to sit and soak up the oil.
How Long Should I Leave Kitty Litter On The Oil Stain?
The length of time the litter needs to sit on your stain depends on how large the stain is. Smaller stains may take only thirty minutes to soak up, while larger ones may require you to leave the litter overnight.
In more extreme spills, your litter may need to sit for multiple days to fully absorb the oil underneath.
3. Sweep Up Litter
To remove the litter, you sweep it up into a dustpan. Next, properly dispose of your used cat litter. Do not dispose of your litter in the toilet or yard. You can also use a shop vacuum for this step if available.
4. Scrub The Area
With your cat litter removed, you can begin to scrub the area to further rid of the stain and any excess litter. Using a detergent, like a dish soap, and a rough, bristle brush is ideal for this step.
If the detergent is not doing the trick, you can turn to degreasers or oil-eating cleaners. The oil or grease-absorbing properties of detergent or these cleaners will help further reduce any oil residue and stains.
You can find a cleaner degreaser here on Amazon.
5. Rinse With Water
After scrubbing, you will rinse the area with water. A garden hose or power hose can be used for this step. After rinsing and allowing the area to dry, observe the area. In some cases, you may still have a little stain left behind.
In these instances, you repeat this process until the stain has been removed.
Take a look at the short video below for a fantastic visual of this process.
Read more on our blog post, 33 Ways To Use Cat Litter (Other Than In Kitty's Box)
How Should I Dispose Of My Used Cat Litter?
After cleaning up your oil stain or spill, you will be left with oil-soaked cat litter. You are probably wondering what to do with it and how to dispose of it safely. Oil-soaked cat litter can be placed in a sealed bag and put in your regular trash.
Other than a sealed bag, you can also use any sealed container. Again, this container typically goes out in your regular trash. Do not recycle oil-soaked cat litter.
Never place this used litter in the yard, compost bin, or down a drain. The oil may create hazards for wildlife species and even make its way to the sewer systems, creating clogs or blockages.
While oil absorbents are not usually labeled as hazardous materials, they can create issues if not properly disposed of. Additionally, if the oil you cleaned up did come in contact with hazardous material, this can change your disposal method.
Keeping an oil-soaked substance can create a fire and safety hazard. Furthermore, checking with your state's oil disposal guidelines can ensure you dispose of this material appropriately.
What Is Oil Dri?
Oil Dri is another material used to soak up oil spills. Like the kitty litter we have mentioned, Oil Dri is a clay-based material. Additionally, Oil Dri has low-dust properties and is non-toxic.
Additionally, the company Oil Dri offers other absorbent products like spill kits and absorbent pads.
Cat litter and Oil Dri have many similarities. One difference being Oil Dri lacks additives, such as odor control elements, that cat litter contains. Furthermore, Oil Dri tends to be more expensive than the cheaper cat litter brands.
Essentially, these products work the same. The choice of which to use on your oil stain is up to you and depends on your preference and budget.
Are There Other Products I Can Use On Oil Stains?
If cat litter or Oil Dri aren't available to you, there are other methods to clean up oil stains and spills. Other useful materials include sand, baking soda, cornmeal, and cornstarch.
With these products, you can follow the same steps as you would with cat litter to clean up your oil stain. Each product may work differently and can have a range when it comes to clean-up time.
Furthermore, there are a plethora of oil cleaners or degreasers on the market. Using cat litter off-label tends to be a more affordable option for cleaning up oil stains when compared to these other products.
All of these substances, including cat litter, absorb the oil. You must properly dispose of the excess material after use.
In Summary
You want to use clay cat litter to soak oil stains and spills. You can use cheap litter and follow five simple steps to get rid of those annoying stains. We hope you found this article helpful when cleaning up your garage floor or driveway.
Are you looking for other uses when it comes to your cat litter? Have a look through our blog post, "How To Make Clay Out Of Cat Litter."
