A lot of people have dirt driveways, and if so, they are perhaps the lucky ones because it is easy to maintain that type of driveway. However, if you have a concrete driveway, you know that all of those oil stains and tire marks can destroy your curb appeal. Do you ever pull up to your home and wish that your driveway looked as good as your home? Have you paid others to come and clean it for you? If so, no one has to tell you that a professional cleaning can cost a small fortune. Here, I will give you a few tips on how to give your driveway a makeover, so that you can avoid the price tag that comes along with each drop of oil or black tire mark on it.

If you are lucky, you will catch a stain when it first happens. A fresh oil spot is a lot easier to clean than an old one that has set into the surface. You do it by using the same trick that professional garages use when oil pans leak on their concrete floors. Simply pour on some baking soda or kitty litter, like the stuff you put into a litter box. You will need to cover it completely and then let it set for a few hours. The litter should turn from white to black as it soaks up the oil. Sweep it away and dispose of the dirty litter.

There may still be a spot on your driveway, but as long as it is fresh, you should be able to use a detergent that is designed to remove grease and a high pressure water hose nozzle or pressure washer. An electric pressure washer is easier and it is more likely to get rid of the stain faster. With a garden hose, you may have to use soap and water a few times to get it completely gone. Some people also say that you can use soda, after the cat litter if you have a stubborn stain. Pour on the soda and scrub it, then rinse.

One thing to keep in mind, when you apply detergent to the area, it is okay to let it sit on the stain for a little while. Sometimes, letting it sit can help you remove the stain with less effort. However, you do not want to let the detergent stay until it is dried on. This may add to the stain rather than remove it.

For tire marks and other stains, you can often clean them using a degreaser. You simply have to let it sit on the tire mark for a little bit and then scrub using a stiff brush. Again, if you have a pressure washer with a rotating brush nozzle, you will save time, but not everyone has easy access to them.