Q: I have an oil furnace, and the oil tank leaked on the concrete floor in my basement. The odor has permeated the house, even though I put cat litter down to absorb the oil and scrubbed the floor. How can I get rid of the odor?
— Virginia Brearley, Brimfield
A: Paul Davis Restoration, a disaster restoration service in Barberton, recommended scrubbing the affected part of the floor with Dawn dish soap. It specifically recommended Dawn because of its oil-cutting properties.
After that, you can then try sealing or painting the concrete to seal in the odor, the service said. Any residual oil might keep the coating from sticking, however, so you might want to test it in a small area first.
Have a question about home maintenance, decorating or gardening? Akron Beacon Journal home writer Mary Beth Breckenridge will find answers for the queries that are chosen to appear in the paper. To submit a question, call her at 330-996-3756, or send email to mbrecken@thebeaconjournal.com. Be sure to include your full name, your town and your phone number or email address.
