How To Remove Oil Stains From Bluestone Pavers

Due to the attractiveness and durability of bluestone as a paving material, it is frequently chosen for outdoor driveway and patio areas. Discovering that your stone has developed cooking or motor oil stains, however, can be quite an annoyance – especially if the stain has gone unnoticed and been allowed to seep deep into the pores. Fortunately, you can remove these stains without damaging the bluestone.

Step 1: If some of the stain appears to still be wet, use an old towel to blot away whatever oil you can. Avoid rubbing at all costs, however, as this will spread the stain further.

Step 2: Pour about a litre of water into a bucket, then add in 2 tablespoons of generic household ammonia. Mix together vigorously.

Step 3: Dip a soft scrubbing brush into the ammonia solution and use it to scrub hard at the oil stain. When you’re finished, rinse the bluestone tiles with clean water and leave to dry.

Step 4: If the stain has not been completely removed, try pouring some mineral spirits onto the bluestone and leave to sit for about a minute. Then, give the area a good scrub with the brush used in step 3 and rinse with clean water.

If you cannot get your hands on an ammonia product, you can also use some generic household bleach in the solution created in step 2. When diluted with water, this chemical should also be suitable for use on bluestone. In the future, place a board or a pan beneath vehicles and objects that are likely to drip oil onto your bluestone stone pavers.