Removing Vaseline from Driveway

Updated on August 04, 2007
H.M. asks from Wylie, TX
16 answers

For the second time in a few months we have had what we believe to be teenagers vandalizing our front sidewalk, driveway and garage. They squirt ketchup, chocolate syrup, mustard, silly string and this time vaseline all over our side walk, driveway, and garage door. Luckily, last night they were nice enough to ring the doorbell at 2 am so we were able to clean it up before today. We were able to get everything off with the water hose, however, we cannot get the vaseline off. Any suggestions?

We did call the police to let them know that this is the 4th time it has happened on our street and the 2nd time to happen to us. What is odd, is that they do it on the same night everytime - the night before our trash day. The house 2 houses down from us was toilet papered last night, which we got the last time along with all of the condiments. It is very frustrating. Luckily, it didn't wake my son up.

Any suggestions on the vaseline is greatly appreciated!

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M.B.

answers from Dallas on

I would try diluted dishsoap with a scrub brush. Vaseline is a lipid, and repels water. Dishsoap is a lipid too, and lipids dissolve lipids... I'm a science geek. Good luck!

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T.F.

answers from Dallas on

a power-washer with HOT water and any de-greaser will work great! You can rent power-washers if you have to!
Sorry for the pain-in-the-@$$ these kids are causing! Hope it works!

T.

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V.S.

answers from Dallas on

I would get a video camera and tape these "punks"!
In plano they have a video surveillance cameras for like 150 bucks. Or if you really want to catch them get a night vision outdoor security camera. They are a little pricy but you'll have them on tape and that's hard to argue in court! Plus you can always use it later for your home.
I found this link- http://www.ezwatchstore.com/shop/Outdoor-Long-Range-Night...

OR get a huge dog and let him sleep in the front at night. :D

I'm sorry this is happening but it should be stopped. There is no telling how far they will take it.

Good luck,
V.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.C.

answers from Dallas on

The only thing that I have seen to work, but I've never had Vaseline on my driveway. I've had it on the front porch. Anways, get some liquid laundry detergent and then boil some hot water, it will work fine, you are probably going to have to use a broom to help "sweep" it away. After you did all that, put some dirt over it, and again, sweep it around all the Vaseline, it'll go away in about a day or two with no more problems. To help stop the intruders, you could put a sign on the front window that says, "Smile, You're on Camera.", or if you wanted to really record them, most of the time Wal-Mart sells small security cameras pretty cheap. We got our for about $40 at Wal-Mart. If not, you could go to Radio Shack, I'm sure they would have something. Let me know if this helped! Thanks!

1 mom found this helpful

E.C.

answers from Dallas on

H.,

I am an Assistant Director at a childcare facility and this is actucally common. I havent had it at this center I am at but at the last center I worked at I had a 2 1/2 year old that use to do this. We gave him a cup and told him that if he wanted to spit he could spit in the cup but no where else. He did this a few incidents and then finally gave up. This has always worked for me.

E.

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M.

answers from Dallas on

I would rent or borrow a power washer. Big difference from the water hose and it will get it off.

I would also report it to the police. Once the kids see that they are getting away with this, they may get "braver" and do more - vandalize cars, whatever. The more you call to report crimes, the more patroling you will get in your neighborhood.

Personally, I would stay up next week on trash night and catch them. Good luck!

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S.T.

answers from Dallas on

I would try dawn dishwashing liquid and the shotgun! :) You may even need a power washer to really get it off the driveway. If you don't have one I think you can rent them at HomeDepo. Hot soapy water is what I would try first.

I am so sorry that is happening to you. I hope you can figure out who is doing it. Do you have motion lights outside? Just a thought.

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A.D.

answers from Dallas on

My husband is a chemistry teacher. He said Vaseline is a petroleum product - So you need something like WD-40, turpentine/paint thinner, gasoline - anything that cuts oils. oh.. he also said cold cream. (he just added "and a shotgun") :)

Since they seem to be creatures of habit and are coming on the same nights - I would suggest a strategically placed video camera in a window.

Good luck getting it off - let us know what worked!
Also - good luck catching the little twerps!!
-Angie-

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K.D.

answers from Dallas on

There is some stuff called Krud Kutter at Lowes/Home Depot. Maybe give that a shot. You woul dbe amazed at what it will clean up. Good luck!

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A.R.

answers from Dallas on

power wash it off if you don't have one you can rent one from home depot. Your neighbors might split the cost if they have a mess as well

Good luck

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M.F.

answers from Dallas on

Maybe laundry detergent? Pour or sprinkle some on the area, then scrub with a scrub brush.
Hope the vandals quit.

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K.A.

answers from Dallas on

Because it is petroleum jelly, you might try to use kitty litter to "soak" some of it up and absord the oil out of it. A lot of people use kitty litter to soak up oil leaks from cars.

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C.K.

answers from Dallas on

I think I would go with the "Science Geek". What part of town do you live in? My neighborhood has had SEVERAL vandalism reports and I just wondered if you lived near me. I am in the Stone Meadow subdivision, South Hulen, Fort Worth.
Because the little creeps are coming on a regular schedule (not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but good for you) I would have my husband sit in the dark and watch for them. Me, I would do it myself...my dad (I am 38 now) did this at our home when I was in HS and the little punks were introduced to a shotgun blast in the air and walked into our living room where the police were called and they were taken down! One for the good guys! It needs to be nipped in the bud before the condiments turn into paint and broken car windows!
Hope this helps!

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S.L.

answers from Dallas on

I would suggest also water and lots of dish soap scrub with a broom.

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C.P.

answers from San Diego on

Hi H.,

Try pouring cornstarch over the vaseline and give it time to soak up the vaseline. Boil some water to make it hot and then try rinsing the vaseline out of your driveway with hot, soapy water.

I hope you find a solution to the vaseline - and those vandals!

-Char

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G.A.

answers from Dallas on

You may try WD40 they say it does wonders. I know it takes off gum. The only thing I would suggest is staying up all night that same night the next week. Years ago my kids friends called us all night about every hour. They would hang up. As soon as school started it quit. We went to the phone company and they told us what to do. When we got a call we would dial somthing and hang up and it recorded that call. So in about a month we then found out the records gave the phone company access to the numbers and they sent out letters to all the parents to tell them if they did not stop they would get fines and have their lines shut off. Also my neighbors had their house egged and stayed up and saw two boys in the neighborhood who they saw walking. It unfortunately was my son and his friend. G. W

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