Oileater Mat

OILEATER MAT

CW EVALUATION

Keeping floors oil-free

WHETHER LEAKED OR SPILLED, ENGINE lubricants can spoil the appearance of your garage floor. B.W. Incorporated's OilEater promises a solution, one that doesn’t involve messy chemicals or a difficult set up.

The 3 x 4-foot OilEater is manufactured from cotton, wool and cellulose.

Although it is not intended as a drainpan alternative, the OilEater will absorb up to two gallons of oil, says B.W. Incorporated (P.O. Box 150, Browns Valley, MN 56219; 800/3286457). It is backed by clear plastic, and when not in use, can be folded and moved as necessary, or secured to the floor with double-sided tape.

We simulated a serious oil-change blunder by pouring one-half quart of dirty motor oil on the OilEater. In addition, we soaked the mat with other lubricants. As advertised, the OilEater consumed all fluids, and small amounts were dry to the touch within two hours.

Once the OilEater is saturated, B.W. Incorporated asks that it be returned in the supplied plastic mailer for recycling. The company claims that some recycling centers will accept the mat, although two local stores refused our soiled sample. Another option, says B.W, is to spray the OilEater with degreaser and toss it in the washing machine. We do not recommend this; according to our local water authority, it would have the same impact as pouring oil directly into the sewer.

In a perfect world, motorcycles do not leak and oil changes are performed with flawless precision. More often than not, that is not the case. At $28, the OilEater is not inexpensive, although it could be sectioned in half, or even quarters, making it much more economical. Barring a spill of Exxon Valdez proportions, it should keep floors clean for years to come.