Cornstarch Is The Powerful Ingredient You Need For Garage Stains

Oil stains on garage floors are out of sight, out of mind for some, but they can be tough to remove if they sit on the pavement too long. And someday, you may regret letting that blemish linger — let's say, when you choose to sell your home. Concrete and other pavement materials in garages are significantly porous and will soak up staining agents. The longer they sit, the longer they bakes in, and it's only a matter of time before the surface spill turns into a stubborn stain. If you do address it quickly, though, it doesn't take too much to get it out. The solution is as easy as banishing oil stains from clothing with a few household items, and surprise — this one involves a common product too.

Cornstarch is the unsung hero of cleaning up oil stains, one of many unconventional uses for using it around the house. It's a magical absorbing agent that'll help suck up some of that unwanted oil and act as a catalyst for other cleaning materials to cut away at the rest of the stain. And as a bonus, you're likely to have it on hand in the kitchen. Some auto aficionados prefer other household materials like cat litter, especially if the stain covers a large surface area. But not everyone is a cat owner, so cornstarch is one of the best options that's likely already in your home.

First things first, you need to address the oil stain or spill while it's still relatively fresh. Here's where the cornstarch comes in. Cover the stain with the powder so that excess oil is soaked up before it can seep into the concrete. When it appears that the excess liquid has been absorbed by the powder (this may take up to a half hour or even overnight), rinse the stain with some water. A fresh paste should form from the water and cornstarch combo — this is a good sign. With a stiff brush, scrub away at the stain — the paste should be slightly abrasive and will slowly but surely pick away at the blemish.

If you're guilty of letting the stain sit a little too long and it's baked into your garage floor, you can try using the same cornstarch and water mixture with some added help. Since the smear will be a bit more stubborn, try adding other household cleaning agents that break down oil, like laundry detergent. If it's a particularly persistent stain, let the paste sit on it for a while. Some people say that engine degreaser is also an effective addition. When you're finished, rinse everything down so you don't risk another mess.

This common kitchen ingredient easily cleans many things, from silverware to oil stains to kitchen sinks. You might be wondering: Why? Well, cornstarch works similarly to cat litter in that it's highly absorbent and effective at soaking up unwanted moisture. It's slightly abrasive, which helps scrub the stain away, but still fine enough that it won't scratch the surface of your floor. As another added bonus, cornstarch is also effective against odors.

Of course, sometimes cornstarch's more delicate coarseness may not be entirely enough to tackle really stubborn stains. For these, you should incorporate some more stringent measures. That doesn't mean though you have to go all-in on chemical cleaners though — there are plenty of other household items that will do the trick. Baking soda, for instance, can help. The carbonic acid does wonders to break down tough spots, and you can definitely use it in lieu of cornstarch or cat litter. Powdered laundry detergent is also an effective alternative. All of these potential clean-up warriors can restore that shine to your garage and will make you think twice about letting a stain sit for too long. If you do though, never fear: Cornstarch is near.