How to clean reed diffuser oil from polished concrete?

cat4

A bottle of reed diffuser spilled yesterday while we were not home (neighbour bathroom reno, jackhammering caused movements, we think). And the diffuser oil has stained our polished concrete. Too late to soak up with baking soda by the time we got home last night. How can I clean this?

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @cat4. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about removing oil from concrete.

Oil can be tricky on polished concrete because the fragrance oils and carrier base tend to soak in and leave dark patches. Since it’s already had time to penetrate, it’s more about drawing out and minimising the stain than fully removing it in one go. You can start by trying to absorb what you can. Even though it’s not fresh, place an absorbent powder like bi-carb soda, talc, or even plain kitty litter over the stain, press it in lightly, and leave it for 24 hours before vacuuming or sweeping it away. This can still pull some oil out of the pores.

After using an absorbent powder, wash gently with a pH-neutral cleaner designed for polished concrete or stone surfaces, scrubbing lightly with a soft nylon brush. You could try Hillmark 375ml Stone Kleen And Protect Marble Granite Cleaner. Please try it in an inconspicuous area first, as it's not a dedicated polished concrete cleaner. Avoid harsh acids or bleach, as these can damage the surface. Be patient, as oil stains on porous surfaces often fade gradually with repeated treatments rather than disappearing in one go. If the mark remains stubborn, a concrete polishing or sealing professional may be able to re-buff the surface locally.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell