Asphalt that looks great without breaking the bank

In the asphalt business, we know about dirt, grime, and stains. We’ve yet to find a washing machine that could hold its own against our work clothes. This is why we have work clothes and going to dinner/church clothes.

But when it comes to your asphalt driveway or parking lot, you’ve only got one option. So you need to know how to keep it clean, and if already stained, you need ways to remove them.

The good news is that you can remove most stains yourself. You only need to call in the pros when the stain is too far gone.

Things that can (and most likely will) stain asphalt:

• Motor Oil
• Yard debris: leaves, grass clippings
• Grease
• Rust
• Automotive fluids: power steering, brake, gasoline
• Tree Sap
• Tire marks
• Bleach
• Paint

It’s best to identify the stain before attacking it. If you know what left the stain, you’ll be better equipped to remove it.

Clean up on aisle… your asphalt

Yes, it’s true. There are some things you CAN DO to your asphalt yourself. Cleaning is one of them. (For a list of things you CANNOT do to your asphalt, here’s a reminder.)

If your spill or stain is fresh, soak up as much of the substance as you can. And make sure you use something you plan to toss out afterwards. Using the indoor kitchen mop and putting it back will land you in a world of hurt.

If your stain is caused by debris or rust, sweep up everything you can. You could use your leaf blower to blow the leaves or rust dust away, but they’ll find their way back.

Once it’s just you and the stain, you can try one of these suggestions to get the stain out.

Full disclosure: These are only suggestions. They may or may not work. The only way to guarantee a stain is removed from your blacktop is to have a professional remove and replace the top layer of asphalt.

Household items that can remove asphalt stains

Soak it up

• Baking soda and cat litter. Both of these items are great at absorbing oil or other chemical spills that have seeped into your asphalt. Pour them over the entire stain.

When using baking soda, scrub the covered area with a stiff-bristled brush. After at least 30 minutes, use a garden hose to wash away the baking soda and the stain.

When using cat litter to soak up a fresh spill, make sure you use non-clumping clay cat litter. Feel free to get the cheap stuff. After covering the stained area, stamp the litter into the asphalt as hard as you can. This helps absorb the majority of the stain. Let the litter work for 10-12 hours, then wash or sweep it away.

Clean it up

• Vinegar and Baking Soda. This combination is great at removing rust and similar stains from asphalt. Cover the stain with baking soda, then add enough vinegar for the mixture to start bubbling. Once the bubbling stops, use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub the stain. Then wash away.

You may be familiar with this as a way to clear clogged drains. And much like clearing drains, you may have to try this a couple times to get the entire stain gone.

• Powdered laundry detergent. Cover the stain with your favorite powdered detergent. Wet the whole area, and wait 30 minutes to 1 hour. Scrub with a stiff-bristled brush. Wash away.

• Dish soap. Use liquid dish soap like you’d use to hand wash dishes. Same process as above. Cover the stain generously. Wet the area. Scrub. Rinse.

• Pop. Depending on the size of the stain, a can or a two-liter of cola-flavored pop can eat the stain away. (Try not to think about that the next time you’re drinking one.) Let it sit overnight, then scrub, and rinse.

Notes on the tools needed to cleaner asphalt:

Do not use a metal brush because you’ll start scrubbing away the top layer of asphalt. This could lead to cracks and potholes.

If at all possible, do NOT use a power washer to wash away the cleansers and stains. Power washers will also damage the top layer of asphalt, which could cause cracks and holes.

If you must use a power washer, use it on its lowest setting and stand several feet away.

List of household cleaners NOT to use on your asphalt

❌ Paint thinners
❌ Paint removers
❌ Carpet cleaners
❌ Nail polish remover or anything containing acetone
❌ Kerosine or turpentine
❌ Antifreeze
❌ Drain cleaners

Asphalt stain removers for $30 or less

If none of our DIY options remove the stains on your blacktop, try one of the quality solvents you can find at your local hardware store. We don’t have a specific one to recommend. Just make sure to get one with plenty of positive reviews or the one the local hardware employee recommends.

Asphalt stains no cleaners can remove

Once you’ve tried all your options to get that ugly stain out of your parking lot or driveway, you have two choices left. Live with it or call in the professionals.

As a professional asphalt company, we will rip up the top, stained layer, and lay down fresh, clean black asphalt. As always, we will examine your asphalt and provide a free estimate for ripping up and re-pouring the top layer. It’s possible when we come out, we can give you a final stain-removal solution to try before having to remove the top layer.

Prevent future asphalt stains

Now that your asphalt looks good as new, you’ll want to protect it and all that hard work you put in cleaning it.

Sealcoat your parking lot or driveway to protect it from stains, fading, and structural damage like cracks and potholes.

Having served the Greater Holland area for nearly 40 years, we are asphalt experts. If you have any questions about stain removal, sealcoating, or anything related to asphalt, call us at (616) 772-2559.