Grease spots on a tar driveway don’t stay small for long. They spread, collect grit, and keep reminding you exactly where the leak happened. This quick driveway cleaner tackles those ugly stains with two basic supplies and a little patience (because apparently driveways enjoy drama too).
Making your own spot treatment costs less than buying a specialty driveway degreaser. Based on current retail pricing, a quart of paint thinner starts around $8.97 and basic clay cat litter is widely sold in budget-friendly bags, so you can treat multiple stains for less than many single-purpose cleaners. You also control how much solvent you use and exactly where you apply the absorbent instead of soaking the whole driveway.
You’ll need just 2 materials for this method: paint thinner and new cat litter. The original method does not specify an exact yield, since you’ll use only what each stain needs, but you will need a stiff push broom for cleanup and scrubbing after the litter sits.
- 🧰 Materials You'll Need
- 🔧 Tools/Equipment
- 🛠️ How to Clean Greasy Driveway Stains
- 🎨 Customization Ideas
- 💡 Tips for Best Results
- 🛡️ Safety Information
- 💸 Cost Breakdown
- 🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Driveway Cleaner
- 📌 Love this Driveway Cleaner for Greasy Tar Stains? Pin it!
- 🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: Driveway Cleaner for Greasy Tar Stains
Materials You’ll Need
- Paint thinner
- New cat litter
Tools/Equipment
- Strong stiff-bristled push broom
How to Clean Greasy Driveway Stains
- Pour paint thinner directly on the greasy spots and around the stained area.
- Spread a thick layer of new cat litter over the area.
- Let the litter sit for 2 hours so it can absorb the loosened grease and solvent.
- Sweep up the soiled litter with a strong stiff-bristled push broom.
- Repeat as necessary until the stain improves.
Customization Ideas
- For small spots: Use just enough paint thinner and litter to cover the stain and a little beyond the edges.
- For multiple drips: Treat each spot separately so you don’t waste materials on clean sections of the driveway.
- For older stains: Plan on repeating the treatment more than once. Set-in grease rarely gives up its spot on the first round.
Tips for Best Results
- Cover the stain and the area around it so the cleaner reaches the full greasy halo, not just the darkest center.
- Use a thick layer of litter. A skimpy sprinkle won’t absorb much.
- Sweep firmly with a stiff push broom to remove the soiled litter completely.
- If you’re working on other cleaning jobs too, you might also like this Triple Action Multipurpose Cleaner or this Tile Cleaner and Grease Remover.
Safety Information
Paint thinner is flammable, so keep it away from sparks, flames, and hot surfaces. Avoid using this method in enclosed areas, and wear gloves if you’re handling the soaked litter directly. For disposal, treat the used absorbent carefully, since the EPA notes that household hazardous materials should be handled and disposed of properly rather than washed into storm drains or left to spread contamination. See the EPA’s guidance on household hazardous waste before cleanup and disposal.
Cost Breakdown
This is an estimated project cost because the original method does not give exact amounts used per stain.
- Paint thinner: from about $8.97 per quart
- Cat litter: budget clay litter varies by bag size and brand
- Estimated cost per cleanup: less than the full package cost when you use only part of each material
If you already have a stiff push broom, your out-of-pocket cost stays focused on the consumable materials rather than extra tools.
🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- Paint thinner at Walmart
- Cat litter at Walmart
- Paint thinner on Amazon
- Unscented clay cat litter on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions about Driveway Cleaner
No. Use new cat litter only. The method relies on clean, dry litter to absorb the loosened grease and solvent properly.
Let it sit for 2 hours. That gives the litter time to absorb the paint thinner and the greasy residue before you sweep it up.
The original method uses a strong stiff-bristled push broom to sweep up the soiled litter. Firm sweeping helps lift the used absorbent off the driveway, but the main job comes from the paint thinner and litter doing their work first.
It can help, but older stains often need repeated treatments. Start with one round, then repeat as necessary until the stain lightens as much as possible.
No. Pour the paint thinner on the spots and around the stains. That helps treat the full greasy area, including the lighter ring that often spreads past the center.
You can, but the original directions specify 2 hours, so that’s the tested timing given here. If the stain remains, repeat the process instead of assuming extra time will solve everything.
The method does not call for rinsing. It directs you to absorb the loosened grease with cat litter, then sweep it up. Skipping a rinse also avoids spreading residue around the driveway.
Use a strong stiff-bristled push broom. A soft indoor broom usually won’t move heavy, soiled litter very well.
Yes. Keep leftover paint thinner sealed in its original container and store unused cat litter dry so it stays absorbent for the next cleanup.
📌 Love this Driveway Cleaner for Greasy Tar Stains? Pin it!
Did you try this project? Tell us how many rounds it took to lift your stain or what worked best on your driveway.
🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: Driveway Cleaner for Greasy Tar Stains
Driveway Cleaner for Greasy Tar Stains
Equipment
Materials
- Paint thinner
- New cat litter
Instructions
- Pour paint thinner on the greasy spots and around the stains.
- Spread a thick layer of litter over the area.
- Let sit 2 hours.
- Sweep up the soiled litter with a strong stiff-bristled push broom.
- Repeat as necessary.
Hubby worked on an aircraft carrier – they just dump down clay litter and do the Twist on top of it until the litter is fine sand. No more oil! We use this in our concrete garage.