Tap to Read ➤

Tips and Ideas for Concrete Stain Removal

Mayuri Kulkarni
Unsightly stains on your concrete patio, driveway, or walkway can be a cause of annoyance. Removing these stains is fairly easy, as far as certain factors are adhered to. Keep reading to understand the steps for undertaking concrete stain removal.
Concrete is susceptible to various types of stains due to its porous nature. If the concrete is painted or sealed, then concrete stains can be easily avoided. Furthermore, removing stains from concrete is easy if one is able to identify the stains and use the proper chemicals and methods in the removal process.
Most concrete stains can be removed, using items at home, while for difficult stains, one may need to buy some equipment from a store or consult a professional cleaning service. Concrete stains are easy to remove if treated soon. Common concrete stains are rust stains, oil stains, algae stains.
Two major methods are used for concrete stain removal―dry methods and wet methods. Dry methods are mechanical methods that do not use any chemicals, while wet methods are methods that use different chemicals.
Let us take a look at the removal methods for different types of concrete stains in the further sections.

Oil Stain Removal

Oil stains or grease stains are the most common types of stains formed on garage floors or on the driveway due to leakages in the vehicle. Fresh oil stains are easy to remove, hence it is necessary to remove the stain before the oil penetrates into the concrete through the pores. Here is how you go about it:
► Blot the oil from the surface using a super-absorbent material like a high quality paper towel. Do not wipe the spilled oil or grease. This could set the oil deeper into the concrete and make removal more laborious.
► You will also need a liquid dishwashing detergent, scrubbing brush, and blotting material. See that you do not use any metal scrubbing brush as this may increase your work. Metal wires of the brush may fall on the concrete and rust due to water. So use a nylon brush and an old towel as blotting material.
► Put the liquid dishwashing detergent on the oil/grease stain and scrub the area with the help of a brush until a thick lather of foam is formed.
► Scrub until the oil/grease stain is removed from the surface properly. Then use the towel and remove the lather formed.
► Generally, the liquid dishwashing detergent technique is sufficient for concrete oil stain removal. But if this does not remove the stain, then check a nearby store to select a commercial oil/grease stain remover for concrete.

Rust Stain Removal

Rust gets easily accumulated on concrete sidewalks and patios due to many reasons. One of the home remedies for concrete rust stain removal is the use of lemon juice.
► Squeeze a lemon on the stained area or spray lemon juice on the affected area.
► Let the lemon extract remain on the concrete for at least 5 minutes.
► Then rinse the stained area with water.
► If this method does not remove the rust stain, then use vinegar and follow the same procedure as with lemon juice.
► If these do not remove the concrete stain then use commercial products that contain oxalic acid. Ensure that you take proper safety measures (eye and hand protection) and read the instructions on the label before using these.
► Use a scrubber to remove the stains with these oxalic content chemicals.

Algae Stain Removal

Algae form common concrete stains and are easy to remove. All you need is an oxygenated bleach and some hot water.
► Prepare a mixture of bleach and water in a proportion of 1:2.
► Spray the mixture on the stained concrete with the help of a power washer and the stain will disappear.
► You can prepare and spray this mixture at fixed intervals of days and treat the algae stains on concrete.
The mentioned home remedies are effective for concrete stain removal. Painting, insulating or sealing the concrete surface can prevent it from getting stained in the future. Cleaning the concrete stain largely depends on the type and the intensity of the stain. If the concrete stain is too hard to remove with the DIY remedies, consult an expert for the same.