Oil-Dri

Oil-Dri Corporation of America traces back to 1941, when founder Nick Jaffee began selling a clay-based absorbent for oil and grease spills out of his home in Chicago. The company was formally incorporated in 1946 as Oil-Dri Corporation of America, and its original Floor-Dri product line gave the company its name.

What started as a single absorbent product aimed at auto repair shops grew into a broader industrial and automotive absorbent business, with the company acquiring Industrial Environmental Products in 1990 to add polypropylene-based synthetic absorbents to its clay mineral lineup.

Product Lines

Oil-Dri's core industrial and automotive line includes clay granule absorbents for oil, grease, paint, ink, and other liquids on shop and garage floors, along with sweeping compounds available in sanded and non-sanded formulas that trap dust and debris ahead of a broom.

Synthetic absorbents round out the catalog, including polypropylene pads, rolls, socks, pillows, and booms, along with spill kits configured for universal, oil-only, or hazardous material cleanup.

Why Contractors Specify Oil-Dri

Plumbing and HVAC contractors working in shops, service vehicles, and job sites use Oil-Dri absorbents to manage the oil, refrigerant residue, and other fluids that accumulate during equipment service, reducing slip hazards on shop floors.

Having a spill kit or absorbent sweep on hand also helps crews respond quickly to unexpected leaks during installation or service calls, rather than improvising with rags or shop towels that require separate disposal handling.

How to Choose Oil-Dri Products

For routine shop floor maintenance, granular clay absorbent or a sweeping compound handles everyday oil and grease residue, while a dedicated spill kit is better suited to a specific, larger release that needs to be contained quickly.

Crews working around fuels or chemicals beyond oil and water should select a universal or hazmat-configured spill kit rather than an oil-only kit, since oil-only absorbents are formulated to repel water and may not perform the same way against other liquids.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Oil-Dri absorbent made from?

The core product line uses clay mineral granules formulated to absorb oils, greases, paints, inks, and water-based liquids.

What's the difference between Oil-Dri sweeping compound and loose absorbent granules?

Sweeping compound is designed to trap dust and fine debris ahead of a broom during general floor cleaning, while granular absorbent is intended to soak up liquid spills directly.

Are Oil-Dri synthetic absorbents different from the clay-based products?

Yes, the synthetic line uses polypropylene pads, rolls, socks, pillows, and booms rather than clay minerals, offering an alternative form factor for containing and absorbing spills.

When should a contractor use an oil-only spill kit instead of a universal kit?

An oil-only kit is designed to absorb oil while repelling water, making it suited to spills on wet surfaces or near water, while a universal kit handles a broader range of liquids including water-based fluids.

Can Oil-Dri absorbents be used for both shop floors and job site spills?

Yes, the product line covers both settings, from granular absorbent for shop floor maintenance to portable spill kits suited to job site or service vehicle use.