How to Get Rid of Fuel Oil Smells in Concrete Flooring

Fuel oil from heaters can make a smelly mess when it spills, even on a hard surface like concrete. Concrete, which is more porous than most people realize, can absorb and hold onto odors for long periods. The same processes used to remove oil stains also helps remove the odors they cause. Use patience and perseverance to get rid of the smell for good.

Heavy rubber gloves
Trisodium phosphate
Water
Diatomaceous earth or Fuller's earth
Bucket or other container
Stir stick
Safety glasses or goggles
Nylon scrub brush
Broom
Vacuum
Concrete sealant
Paintbrush or roller

Instructions

- 1
  Mix 1 ounce of trisodium phosphate for every cup of water in a bucket or other container until it's three-quarters full. Add diatomaceous earth or Fuller's earth and mix to form a thick paste, using a stir stick.
- 2
  Don rubber gloves and scrub the spill area thoroughly with the paste, even if the spot was cleaned previously. Leave the mixture on the spill area to soak into the concrete and loosen any oil remaining in the pores. As the paste dries, the tiny oil particles that cause the odor will rise to the surface and be absorbed.
- 3
  Wait until the paste is completely dry, then sweep it up with the broom. Follow with a thorough vacuuming to pick up any remaining particles.
- 4
  Ventilate the area to allow lingering odor to escape, then sniff the spill area for telltale odors. If any odor remains, repeat steps 1 through 3. Concrete odors can be stubborn; you may need to make several tries over a period of several weeks to eliminate them.
- 5
  Apply concrete sealant to the area, if needed, to keep any small odors from making their way back to the surface.

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