Best Commercial Degreasers to Remove Stubborn Oil Stains from Asphalt

Short answer: for most oil stains on an asphalt driveway, a concentrated, water-based cleaner/degreaser, scrubbed in with a stiff brush and rinsed well, works best. Oil Eater Original, Zep Industrial Purple, Simple Green Pro HD and Purple Power Industrial Strength are all still sold at major retailers in 2026. Treat stains early, test the product on a small spot first, and if the asphalt under an old stain has gone soft or crumbly, cleaning won't fix it. That needs a repair.

Oil stains on asphalt look bad, and they also do damage. Asphalt is held together by a petroleum-based binder, and motor oil, transmission fluid and gasoline slowly soften it. Below we cover how commercial degreasers work, which products to look for, how to use them safely on asphalt, and what to do when a stain won't come out.

Why Oil Stains Are a Problem for Asphalt Driveways

When oil soaks into the surface, it loosens the binder that holds the stone together. Over time that leads to soft spots, raveling (loose stones at the surface), cracking and eventually potholes. In Connecticut, freeze–thaw cycles and road salt find a weakened spot quickly, so a stain that sits all winter can turn into a repair by spring.

Oil also gets in the way of routine maintenance. Sealer won't bond to oily pavement, so driveway sealcoating applied over a contaminated spot can peel or flake. That's why it pays to clean oil stains thoroughly and as soon as you can.

Old stains can mean hidden damage. If a stain is months old, or the asphalt around it feels soft, sticky or crumbly underfoot, the binder has probably broken down. A degreaser will lift the discoloration but won't restore the pavement.

What Are Commercial-Grade Degreasers?

Commercial-grade degreasers are heavy-duty cleaners made to break down grease, oil and grime on hard surfaces. Most are sold as concentrates you dilute with water. They lift oil out of porous surfaces so it can be rinsed away.

Common ingredients include:

• Surfactants: to lift oil from the surface
• Emulsifiers: to break the oil into small droplets that rinse away
• Solvents (citrus-based or other): to help dissolve hydrocarbons
• Alkaline builders: for heavy cleaning power

A note specific to asphalt: avoid petroleum-solvent products such as gasoline, mineral spirits or parts-washer solvent. They dissolve oil, and they dissolve asphalt binder too. Stick with water-based degreasers and always follow the label's dilution and safety directions.

Commercial-Grade Degreasers for Asphalt Oil Stains

We confirmed that each of the products below was still sold by its manufacturer and through major retailers as of fall 2026. The details come from the manufacturers' own descriptions. Formulas and labels change, so read the current label before you buy, and test on an inconspicuous spot first.

Oil Eater Original Cleaner/Degreaser

• Where to buy: Home Depot, Walmart and online retailers
• Concentrated, alkaline-based formula that you dilute with water
• The manufacturer describes it as biodegradable, non-toxic, non-corrosive and non-flammable
• Labeled for concrete and a range of other hard surfaces

Zep Industrial Purple Cleaner & Degreaser

• Where to buy: Walmart, Menards, Tractor Supply and Zep directly
• Professional-strength concentrate; Zep lists unfinished concrete, masonry and asphalt among the surfaces it cleans
• Not for painted surfaces, aluminum or natural stone, so keep it off nearby trim, pavers and stone walls
• Strong product: wear gloves and eye protection

Simple Green Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner

• Where to buy: Lowe's, Staples and online retailers
• Professional-grade concentrate you can dilute for the job
• Non-corrosive, and the maker says it can be used in pressure washers
• Labeled for concrete, metal, plastic and many other hard surfaces, so it's a good all-around garage and driveway cleaner

Purple Power Industrial Strength Cleaner/Degreaser

• Where to buy: Home Depot, Walmart, Tractor Supply and auto parts stores
• Concentrate that can be applied with a brush or pressure washer
• Purple Power describes it as biodegradable and non-flammable
• The manufacturer says it is not suitable for sealer coats, so skip it on a freshly sealcoated driveway

Whichever product you choose, don't let the rinse water run into a storm drain. Rinse toward a lawn or gravel area, or soak up the runoff with absorbent and dispose of it with your household trash or at a town hazardous-waste day.

How to Use a Commercial Degreaser on Asphalt Oil Stains

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Blot fresh oil first. Soak up any liquid oil with absorbent (cat litter, sawdust or a commercial absorbent) and sweep it up.
2. Remove surface debris. Sweep away dirt, leaves and loose gravel.
3. Test, then apply. Dilute according to the label, try it on a small hidden spot, then spray or pour it onto the stain.
4. Let it dwell. Leave it for the time the label recommends, usually several minutes. Don't let it dry on the surface.
5. Scrub with a stiff nylon brush. Work the product into the stain with circular strokes. Avoid wire brushes, which can loosen surface stone.
6. Rinse thoroughly. Use a hose or a pressure washer on a moderate setting held well back from the surface. Repeat if needed.
7. Let it dry completely before sealing or doing any other work.

Tips and Tricks from the Pros

• Act quickly: The sooner you treat a stain, the less oil soaks in.
• Don't pressure wash before degreasing: Blasting oily pavement with plain water can spread the oil and push it deeper.
• Don't rely on cat litter alone: It absorbs liquid oil but doesn't remove the residue.
• Warm water can help if the label allows it.
• Expect multiple passes: Stubborn stains often take two or three rounds.
• Find the source: A drip pan under a leaking car saves you from cleaning the same spot every month.

For more methods, including household options for light stains, see our guide on ways to remove oil stains from your asphalt driveway.

What If the Stains Won't Come Out?

If oil has soaked deep into the asphalt or has been sitting for years, even a strong degreaser may leave a shadow behind. At that point you have two options:

1. Sealcoating the surface. If the stain is only cosmetic and the asphalt is still firm, sealcoating restores an even black finish. Clean the stain thoroughly first, and spot-prime the area with an oil-spot primer so the sealer bonds. In Connecticut, sealcoating is best done in warm, dry weather, roughly late spring through early fall.
2. Repairing the affected area. If the asphalt has gone soft or is breaking up, the damaged section needs to be cut out and patched. That's a standard driveway repair, and it's usually far cheaper than replacing the whole driveway.

Final Thoughts

Oil stains are common, but they don't have to shorten the life of your driveway. A water-based commercial degreaser, used the right way, removes most fresh and moderate stains and protects the binder from further damage. Act fast, test the product first, keep rinse water out of storm drains, and fold stain cleanup into your regular asphalt driveway maintenance routine.

If the damage goes deeper than the surface, or you're weighing patching against starting over, our article on repair vs. replacement can help you decide. Maisano Brothers has been paving Connecticut since 1967. If you'd like us to look at a stained or damaged driveway, contact us for a free estimate.