Quick tip to efficiently and cost effectively enjoy your home.

So you’ve got an unsightly stain on the driveway. Maybe it came from an old clunker parked there by family or friends. It could be a drip from your latest barbeque or a remnant from the windy day when the garbage can tipped over and left a greasy smudge. In any case, you want oil stain gone.

For a concrete or asphalt driveway, the fix is pretty simple. Purchase some Mex All-Purpose Cleaner or TSP substitute at the local hardware store. These powdered detergents are very strong and do an excellent job of removing oil stains.

Following label directions, mix a strong solution with very hot water. Wearing gloves and eye protection, scrub the spot with a hot detergent solution and a stiff brush. Scrub and soak, scrub and soak several times. Then scrub the area around the stain to blend into the surrounding surface. Rinse well with a strong blast from the garden hose.

Stubborn stains may require a second treatment. Eventually sunlight and weather will even out the color of the pavement. If you end up with a light spot where you were scrubbing, you may need to scrub the entire drive to even out the color.