How to Clean Oil off the Floor: Expert-Approved Tips

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Quick clean-up is easy with our simple steps

Co-authored by Susan Stocker and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: June 18, 2025 References

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Vinyl or Tile Floor

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Carpet

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Hardwood

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Concrete

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Expert Interview

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Expert Q&A

Whether you’re dealing with cooking oil, motor oil, or anything in between, cleaning the greasy substance off your floors can be a pain. Thankfully, there are a few household substances you can use to absorb oil on your floor and make cleanup much easier. We’ve answered some of your questions about cleaning oil off the floor so you can make your home shine like new again.

Things You Should Know

Spray white vinegar over an oil spill on a vinyl or tile floor. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before wiping it up with a paper towel.
Sprinkle baking soda over an oil spill on a carpet. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum it up.
Apply Fuller's Earth (a clay-based product that soaks up oil) to an oil stain on a wood floor. Let it dry for 15 minutes, then scrape up the paste.

Question 1 of 7:

How do you clean oil off a vinyl or tile floor?

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Pour undiluted white vinegar into a spray bottle, then mist the entire area. Focus your spray directly over the oily spots to really break down the grease.^{[1]
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Vinegar works to break down oil and make it much easier to clean. After waiting, grab a clean towel or cloth and wipe up the spill to reveal a clean, oil-free floor.^{[2]
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Question 2 of 7:

How do you clean oil off a carpet?

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Both of these substances will absorb the excess oil and make it easier to clean.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Susan Stocker
Professional Cleaner

Expert Interview} If you don’t have either on hand, you can also use kitty litter.^{[4]
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Your absorbing substance will have soaked up the majority of the oil and grease. Carefully run your vacuum over the area, going slowly so you don’t push the oil back into the carpet.^{[5]
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If the stain isn’t quite gone, mix 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of dishwashing detergent with 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of white vinegar and 2 cups (470 mL) of warm water. Use a clean cloth to blot the mixture onto the area, then rinse it with cool water.^{[6]
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Question 3 of 7:

How do you clean oil off hardwood?

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Fuller’s Earth is a clay product that soaks up oil fast without damaging your hardwood. Buy it at the hardware store and sprinkle a thin layer over the oily area.
Grab a butter knife or a pallet knife and gently scrape the paste up, being careful not to gouge your floors. Scrape the paste into the garbage to get rid of the majority of the oil.

Question 4 of 7:

How do you clean oil off concrete?

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^{[7]
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Expert Source

Guy Peters
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview} It will absorb the excess oil and make the area much easier to clean. Make sure the entire oil patch is covered to make the most out of your cleaning supplies.^{[8]
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Give the baking soda or kitty litter time to work. Leave the area be and let the oil soak in. For a super large stain, you might want to let it sit overnight.^{[9]
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Grab a stiff broom and sweep the baking soda or kitty litter into a garbage bag. If any baking soda or kitty litter residue is left, rinse the area with clean water.^{[10]
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Question 5 of 7:

How do you remove tough oil stains from concrete?

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Head to the hardware store and grab an industrial-strength degreaser to tackle tough stains.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Guy Peters
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview} Spray the degreaser over the entire stain to lift up the ingrained grease, then use a nylon brush to scrub it.^{[12]
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Put on goggles and gloves to protect your skin and your eyes. Mix 1 part of Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) to 6 parts of water. Apply it to the stain, then let it dry for at least 20 hours. When it’s dry, sweep it away to remove the oil stain.

Question 6 of 7:

Does Dawn dish soap remove oil from concrete?

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Yes, Dawn dish soap can remove oil from concrete. Simply squirt a few drops of the dish soap onto the concrete, then scrub it in with a nylon brush.^{[13]
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Expert Source

Susan Stocker
Professional Cleaner

Expert Interview} Rinse the soap away with clean water and let the floor air dry. If the stain is still there, repeat the process a few more times.^{[14]
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- For better results, do this after letting baking soda sit over the stain for a few minutes.^{[15]
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  Susan Stocker
  Professional Cleaner
  
  Expert Interview}

Question 7 of 7:

Can you clean grease stains with olive oil?

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Although it sounds counterintuitive, using a bit of olive oil can actually help loosen up the grease and get rid of tough stains. Pour some olive oil onto a paper towel and wipe the area clean. You can get rid of the olive oil grease by using white vinegar or baking soda.^{[16]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

Will vinegar remove oil stains from concrete?

Susan Stocker
Professional Cleaner
Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.

Susan Stocker

Professional Cleaner

Expert Answer

That's not a good idea! If you put vinegar on concrete, it will actually eat the finish. Instead, soak up the oil with baking soda, and then scrub the stain with a mixture of soapy water and dish soap. To finish up, use WD40 on the stain.

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Tips

If there’s any broken glass in the area (like from a broken bottle of olive oil), put on rubber gloves and use paper towels to scoop the glass into the garbage.

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Warnings

If you’re going to use TSP as a cleaner, read the manufacturer’s instructions and safety labels before you start.^{[17]
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Be extra careful with vinegar, since it can eat up the finish of your flooring.^{[18]
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Expert Source

Susan Stocker
Professional Cleaner

Expert Interview}

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