Stains on concrete floors, driveways and other surfaces can detract from the aesthetic vision that you are going for. Removing concrete stains make your floors look nicer. It’s also crucial if you are prepping the surface for concrete sealing or staining.
However, stains are inevitable. If you want to know how to remove stains from your concrete patio, sidewalk, or driveway, here are some tips to help you out.
Move plants, accessories, and furniture before removing concrete stains
Make sure that you regularly move house plants, accessories, and furniture from their position. Clean the surface beneath them often to prevent deep-seated and hard-to-remove stains from forming.
It can be tough to figure out how to remove leaf stains from concrete or how to get wood stain out of concrete especially when they’ve been there for a long time. For this reason, make regular cleaning a part of your maintenance habits.
Treat stains differently
Depending on the age of the stain, certain methods to get rid of it may be more beneficial. For instance, if the surface was just recently stained, use paper towels to get rid of the spill quickly. Don’t rub it in since the stain will just permeate further into the concrete.
Use household cleaner, water, and a nylon brush to scrub the newly formed stain away. This is also the ideal option if you are considering how to remove pumpkin stain from concrete or how to remove berry stains from concrete. For older stains, you might need to use stronger chemicals or hire a pressure washing service.
Use eco-friendly ingredients
You’ll be surprised to know that there are concrete stain removers right inside your kitchen. Here are some great examples:
- You can try cleaning concrete with vinegar. Mix a gallon of vinegar with 8 cups of liquid detergent and a cup of salt. Use the solution to get rid of plant stains. As a bonus, this solution can also get rid of weeds and prevent new ones from growing.
- If you have rust stains, apply some cola on the surface and let it sit for some time. It might sound a little scary, but cola does contain some of the same ingredients found in industrial rust removers.
- If you are wondering how to remove wood stain from concrete driveway, consider using a bleach solution. Spray the solution onto the surface, let it sit for several minutes, then use a nylon brush to scrub the stain away. Avoid using a metallic brush since the materials can rust and stain the surface.
Use a pressure washer for removing concrete stains
One of the easiest and most effective way to get rid of most types of stains, including doormat stained concrete, is to use a pressure washer. If you already have one in your home, make sure that you read the instructions manual for proper setup and operation. When used incorrectly, pressure washers can cause significant damage to concrete surfaces.
To ensure proper use, it might be best to hire a pressure washing service to do the job for you. They’ll know able to get rid of any stain right away and ensure that your concrete surfaces are clean and visually appealing.