# How to get BBQ grease off a patio

Source: https://charandsmoke.co.uk/blog/how-to-get-bbq-grease-off-a-patio
Published: 2026-10-12
Publisher: Char and Smoke

**In short:** Act quickly: soak up fresh grease with cat litter, sawdust or kitchen roll, then scrub the spot with hot water and washing-up liquid. For older stains, apply a patio degreaser suitable for your stone, leave it for the stated time, scrub with a stiff brush and rinse well. Test any product on a hidden area first, especially on natural stone such as sandstone or limestone.

Grease drips from a BBQ, a dropped sausage or an overflowing grease tray leave dark marks on patios and driveways. Concrete and natural stone are porous, so fat soaks in and spreads if you leave it. The good news is that most marks lift with patience and the right cleaner for the surface. This guide covers fresh spills, older stains and how to stop it happening again.

## Deal with fresh grease straight away

Absorbing first is important. If you go straight in with water, you can push grease deeper into the slab.

If the spill happened on a hot day, the slab may already have warmed the fat and drawn it in. In that case, still use an absorbent first, then move on to the steps for older stains below.

1. Let any hot fat cool so you do not burn yourself.
2. Scrape off solid bits with a plastic scraper.
3. Cover the spot with an absorbent: cat litter, sawdust, sand or bicarbonate of soda all work.
4. Leave it for several hours, ideally overnight, then sweep it up.
5. Scrub the area with hot water and a good squeeze of washing-up liquid using a stiff brush.
6. Rinse with clean water and let it dry. Repeat if a shadow remains.

## Match the cleaner to the surface

Patio materials react differently to cleaners. Acidic products can etch limestone and sandstone, and some strong alkaline degreasers can mark coloured concrete. Read the label and test in a hidden corner.

| Surface | Usually safe | Take care with |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Plain concrete | Washing-up liquid, concrete degreasers, pressure washer on a moderate setting | Very strong solvents |
| Sandstone and limestone | pH-neutral stone cleaners, washing-up liquid | Acidic cleaners, high-pressure jets |
| Porcelain slabs | Washing-up liquid, porcelain patio cleaners | Abrasive powders that scratch the surface |
| Block paving | Degreasers made for paving | Washing out jointing sand with a pressure washer |
| Composite or timber decking | The maker's recommended deck cleaner | Solvents, wire brushes |

General guidance by surface

## Lifting older stains

For a stain that has been there a while, use a degreaser made for patios and driveways. Apply it to the dry slab, leave it for the time on the label, scrub hard and rinse well. Old stains may need two or three rounds.

A poultice can draw out deep grease from porous stone. Mix an absorbent powder such as bicarbonate of soda with a little washing-up liquid and water to a thick paste, spread it over the stain, cover with cling film and leave it to dry for a day or two. As it dries, it pulls grease from the stone. Scrape it off and rinse.

A pressure washer can help on plain concrete, but on soft stone it can erode the surface and leave a clean patch that stands out. Use a wide fan and moderate pressure, and keep it moving.

Note: Wear gloves and eye protection when using degreasers, keep them away from children and pets, and avoid letting strong cleaners run into drains, ponds or flower beds.

## Stop grease getting on the patio

Prevention is easier than cleaning. A BBQ mat under the grill catches drips and sparks; choose one sized wider than the grill and rated for heat. Keep the grease tray and cup empty, as an overflowing tray is a common source of stains. Our [how to clean a gas BBQ](https://charandsmoke.co.uk/blog/how-to-clean-a-gas-bbq) and [how to clean a pellet grill](https://charandsmoke.co.uk/blog/how-to-clean-a-pellet-grill) guides cover the trays.

Use a serving tray to carry food to and from the grill, and keep a roll of kitchen paper nearby for quick wipe-ups. Sealed patios resist stains far better than unsealed ones, so consider a stone sealer suited to your slabs after a deep clean.

## Choosing a grill that drips less

Grills with an enclosed grease system, a deep tray and a cup that sits inside the cart tend to cause fewer patio marks than open designs. Kettles with closed ash catchers, such as the Weber Performer, also keep ash and fat off the ground. Our [best gas BBQs](https://charandsmoke.co.uk/best/best-gas-bbq-uk) and [best charcoal BBQs](https://charandsmoke.co.uk/best/best-charcoal-bbq-uk) guides mention grease and ash systems for each model.

[See the best gas BBQs](https://charandsmoke.co.uk/best/best-gas-bbq-uk)

## Frequently asked questions

**Does washing-up liquid remove BBQ grease from patios?** Yes, for fresh spills. Scrub with hot water and a stiff brush, then rinse.

**Will cat litter really absorb grease?** Clay cat litter is very absorbent and works well on fresh spills if left for several hours.

**Can I use bleach on a grease stain?** Bleach does not dissolve grease and can discolour stone. Use a degreaser instead.

**How do I get grease off sandstone?** Absorb it, then use a pH-neutral stone cleaner or a poultice. Avoid acidic products and high-pressure jets.

## Buying guides on this topic

- https://charandsmoke.co.uk/best/best-gas-bbq-uk
- https://charandsmoke.co.uk/best/best-charcoal-bbq-uk