How to Clean Grease and Oil From Concrete at Restaurants and Food Establishments

If you run a restaurant, café, or food service business, you know how quickly grease and oil can build up on your concrete surfaces. From kitchen spills to fryer oil leaks around dumpsters and drive-thru lanes, these stains don’t just look bad—they can create slippery surfaces, attract pests, and lead to health code issues.

As a local pressure washing company servicing Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, and the GTA, we’ve cleaned hundreds of restaurant pads, drive-thrus, patios, and walkways. Here’s a practical step-by-step look at how to remove grease and oil from concrete properly, and why regular cleaning is essential for any food establishment.

Why Grease and Oil Cleaning Is So Important

• 🦶 Safety: Slippery concrete can cause serious accidents for staff and customers.

• 🧾 Health Code Compliance: Grease attracts pests and can create sanitation violations.

• 🏗️ Protects Your Concrete: Oil penetrates deep into porous surfaces, causing long-term damage if left untreated.

• 🧼 Professional Image: Clean patios, sidewalks, and dumpster pads give customers the right first impression.

Step-by-Step: How to Clean Grease and Oil From Concrete

1. Prep the Area

Start by sweeping away debris, garbage, and standing water so the cleaner can work directly on the stains.

2. Apply a Degreaser

Use a commercial-grade, eco-friendly degreaser (not dish soap).

• For fresh spills, sprinkle absorbent material (e.g., kitty litter or sawdust), let sit for 15–30 minutes, then sweep and dispose.

• For older stains, apply degreaser generously and let it dwell for 5–10 minutes. Keep the surface damp so the solution can break down the grease.

3. Agitate the Surface

Use a stiff brush or floor scrubber to work the degreaser into the concrete. Focus on high-traffic areas like garbage pads, drive-thru lanes, and rear delivery zones where oil buildup is most common.

4. Pressure Wash With Hot Water

Rinse thoroughly using a hot-water pressure washer (around 180 °F or higher). Hot water is crucial for emulsifying oil and lifting it from deep in the concrete pores.

• Use overlapping passes to avoid streaks.

• A surface cleaner is ideal for large areas like parking lots or dumpster pads.

• Make sure wastewater is collected or diverted properly to stay compliant.

5. Treat Stubborn Stains

Older or deep-set oil stains may need multiple treatments. Reapply degreaser, allow for a longer dwell time, scrub again, and rinse. For very tough stains, enzyme-based bioremediation products can digest the remaining oil over time.

6. Optional: Seal the Concrete

Once the surface is fully clean and dry, applying a concrete sealer can make future cleanings faster and prevent oil from penetrating again—especially around dumpster areas and drive-thrus.

Professional Cleaning vs DIY

While small spills can sometimes be handled in-house, commercial properties typically benefit from professional hot-water pressure washing.

At Pressure Wash Brigade, we bring:

• Industrial hot-water equipment for deep cleaning

• Commercial-grade degreasers

• Wastewater recovery for full environmental compliance

• Experience identifying problem zones and preventing future buildup

Most restaurants schedule monthly or quarterly cleanings to keep their property safe and spotless.

Long-Term Prevention Tips

• Use grease mats or catch trays under bins and fryers.

• Clean spills immediately when they happen.

• Schedule routine power washing for patios, dumpster pads, and drive-thrus.

• Seal concrete annually to make cleanings easier.

• Keep grease bins in good condition to avoid leaks.

Keep Your Property Looking Professional

Grease and oil buildup doesn’t just hurt your image—it’s a safety and compliance issue. Regular professional cleaning keeps your restaurant exterior clean, safe, and inviting for both staff and customers.

👉 If your property is in Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, or the GTA, our team specializes in restaurant concrete degreasing and pressure washing.

📅 Request a Free Quote and we’ll help you keep your walkways, patios, and garbage pads looking their best year-round.