How to Clean Anti Freeze Off a Garage Floor

Co-authored by Jon Gholian

Last Updated: December 14, 2021 References

Antifreeze is a necessary chemical in cooling mechanical objects. Dropped bottles and cracked car parts make for common antifreeze spills, which are easily detectable because of its telltale bright coloring. Antifreeze stains your floor but is also highly toxic.. To safely remove antifreeze from your floor, lay absorbent material on fresh spills, cover stains with detergent and newspaper, and scrubbing the area with a stiff nylon hand brush.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Removing Fresh Antifreeze

1
Place absorbent material on top of the spill. Kitty litter, sand, or baking soda all work and should be used to cover the spill as soon as it happens. These absorbent materials pick up the antifreeze before it settles.^{[1]
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2
Cover the absorbent material with paper towels. Paper towels or newspaper protect the material from being scattered and aid in absorption. Layer them over the kitty litter or other material. Add more layers if you wish to ensure that all of the spill will be absorbed.

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3
Let the material rest for a few hours. Come back after at least one hour in order to give the material time to absorb the spill. Limit your time away to about three hours maximum so you can check the antifreeze again before it sets into the floor.
4
Wipe up the absorbent material. Use dry paper towels to pick up the absorbent material and wipe up any leftover fluid. While small skin exposure to antifreeze isn’t much of a threat, wash your hands with soap and water or wear gloves to be safe.
5
Spread soap over the area. A simple laundry or dish detergent will work for cleaning the floor.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Jon Gholian
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 December 2020.} Powdered detergent is useful for setting stains, but if there is no stain yet, liquid soap can be used on the area. Let it set in for a minute.^{[3]
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6
Scrub the area and rinse with clean water. Spread water from a hose over the area. Use a nylon brush to scrub the spot. Rinse the suds away completely.^{[4]
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7
Dry the wet spot. Open the garage door and allow the area to dry in open air. This may take a few hours depending on the size of the spill, but will help remove the smell. If you cannot do this, layer newspaper over it. Newspaper will pick up the moisture when left for at least an hour. Paper towels can also be used to wipe off any leftover moisture.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Cleaning a Stain

1
Spray the area with water. Fortunately, antifreeze dissolves in water. Use a hose, bucket, or spray bottle to soak the area. Keep it wet until you’re ready to add detergent. The moisture helps loosen the antifreeze from concrete.
2
Sprinkle detergent over the stain. Choose a powdered laundry detergent or dish soap. The powdered variety is most useful because you can easily see when it covers the entire stain and it is absorbent enough to draw up the antifreeze.^{[5]
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3
Place newspaper over the detergent. Stack the newspaper in several layers over the area. Press down so that it protects the soap and helps the absorption process.
4
Wet the newspaper. Apply water from a bucket or a hose, being careful not to disturb the paper. The water needs to soak all the way through the newspaper, leaving the newspaper thoroughly soaked in order to draw the antifreeze upwards.
5
Leave the newspaper to dry for three hours. Wait three hours, leaving the area undisturbed. Come back and the newspaper will have dried significantly, leaving the stain ready to be scrubbed.
6
Scrub the stain. Pick up and throw away the newspaper. Dip a nylon, stiff-bristled brush in clean water. Use the brush to scrub the area with the wet laundry detergent. You’ll notice the detergent turn into suds.^{[6]
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- Rinse the brush when finished to remove any antifreeze on it.
7
Rinse the area. Spray the area with a hose until the suds are gone. If using a bucket, spread the water over the area and use paper towels or the cleaned brush to pick up the suds and extra moisture. A pressure or power washer can also be used.^{[7]
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8
Blot the stain with newspaper. Newspaper is very absorbent and will pick up the excess moisture. Use your hand to rub the newspaper over wet spots. The washed spot can then be left to dry in open air.
- In case the stain is not removed, repeat cleanings are necessary.
- If you like, you can play some music when you are doing the cleaning to avoid making it a boring task.^{[8]
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  Expert Source
  
  Jon Gholian
  Cleaning Specialist
  Expert Interview. 15 December 2020.}
- You can even keep a reward for yourself as an incentive for completing the work.^{[9]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Jon Gholian
  Cleaning Specialist
  Expert Interview. 15 December 2020.}

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I make cleaning enjoyable?

Jon Gholian
Cleaning Specialist
Jon Gholian is a Cleaning Specialist and the Founder of Cleany, a home and office cleaning concierge service based in New York City, New Jersey & Miami. Cleany specializes in providing quality cleaning and handyman services to all their customers. All Cleany employees are insured, bonded, and professionally trained. Cleany has been featured in the New York Times, Bravo & Redfin.

Jon Gholian

Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

You can play some music when you are cleaning. Set cleaning goals and reward yourself when you achieve them.
Question

Will it be safe enough just to dump water on the antifreeze several times? There are several animals in the area.

Community Answer

If the antifreeze isn't absorbed with material such as litter or newspaper, the water will just wash whatever doesn't stain off into the environment. It will get into the ground, a nearby water supply, or the animals will drink some of it. It's better to pick the antifreeze up because it is so toxic to consume.
Question

How do I remove the smell of antifreeze?

Community Answer

Airing the area will be necessary. Leave your garage open after you wash. Otherwise, try cleaning the floor with dish soap or applying an odor remover.

Warnings

Clean up antifreeze as soon as possible. It is colorful and tastes sweet, making it appealing to children and animals. However, it is highly toxic when consumed.

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Do not flush antifreeze down drains. This may be illegal in your area and antifreeze is harmful to living creatures that consume it.

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