How to Clean Oil-Contaminated Road Surfaces?

[DiJayden]

Alcohol can dissolve in both organic solvents and water. The higher the alcohol concentration, the better, with anhydrous alcohol being the most ideal. Alcohol is available at pharmacies or chemical supply stores. First, use gasoline to wipe the area. For heavy oil stains, you can use paint thinner or turpentine to dissolve the oil, then proceed with regular washing methods. Use a soft cloth or cotton yarn dipped in gasoline to wipe, allowing the oily colored substances to dissolve in the gasoline and then transfer to the cleaning cloth.

[DelOlive]

That day my car leaked oil and stained the road, I was so anxious I broke out in a sweat! First, I found dry sawdust or cat litter to cover the oil stain, waiting for it to absorb the oil and turn into clumps, then used a stiff broom to sweep it away completely. Next, I poured laundry detergent water over the oily area and scrubbed back and forth with a long-handled brush for ten minutes, letting the foam break down the residual oil film. When rinsing, I had to use a high-pressure water spray from the edges toward the center to prevent dirty water from spreading. Finally, I sprinkled a layer of fine sand to prevent slipping, otherwise I could be held responsible if pedestrians fell. Remember to wear rubber gloves during the process, and the waste oil residue must be sealed properly and sent to a recycling station—pouring it down the drain could clog the pipes and is illegal.

[Mackenzie]

Our property management has dealt with several oil leaks in the residential area. The first step is to promptly set up warning signs to prevent pedestrians from slipping. Use specialized oil-absorbent pads to press flatly onto the oil stains—this is three times more effective than cat litter. Once saturated, peel them off like a bandage. Next, mix industrial degreaser with warm water at a ratio of 1:10, pour it over the area, and scrub vigorously with a floor brush for ten minutes. Here's the key: you must rinse the area repeatedly at least three times; otherwise, the oil will resurface during rain, causing secondary pollution. Finally, use pH test strips to check the ground's acidity—neutral levels indicate compliance. After cleanup, take photos for documentation to help trace the source of pollution back to the vehicle owner.

[StMalachi]

Last time my dad was fixing his motorcycle and spilled engine oil all over the place. I directly used the leftover bentonite cat litter at home to cover the oil stains, waited half an hour for it to clump, then swept it away. Then I mixed caustic soda with hot water to make a degreasing solution, but remember to wear thick gloves to avoid burns. Using an old toothbrush dipped in the solution to scrub the gaps worked particularly well. After scrubbing, I poured two bottles of expired cola over it—the phosphoric acid inside helps neutralize the oil and alkali. Finally, I rinsed everything clean with the garden hose used for watering plants. This makeshift method cost less than twenty yuan, but remember to do it on a cloudy day, as strong sunlight can make the oil seep into the concrete and become harder to clean.