Vinegar or baking soda: These natural cleaners work well to clean cement patios with stubborn charcoal or rust spots. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, scrub the patio with the mixture, then give it a good rinse. If stains don't dissolve, try undiluted vinegar.
Mix one part muriatic acid with 20 parts water in a bucket. Clean the stain off with the mixture. If the stain is not removed, strengthen the mixture by one part (1 part acid with 19 parts water). Continue making the solution stronger until the stains are removed.
Most stains on concrete floors can be removed quickly and easily, but a lot depends on how old the stain is and how porous the concrete surface is. Rust, oil, grease, paint or glue stains each have a recommended stain removal technique.
White vinegar and a little scrubbing with a brush is a very effective, eco-friendly way to remove rust stains from concrete—even those that are decades old. Pour the white vinegar directly onto the stain, allow the liquid to penetrate the area for 20 minutes, and scrub with a stiff-bristled brush.
Vinegar is a natural and safe alternative to cleaning concrete with harsh chemicals. In the case of algae and mold, it does a better job than bleach, and it is better in the long term for killing these infestations. Oftentimes, vinegar can be found in your home or garage.
You can fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water, adding a few drops of liquid dish soap. Spray this solution directly onto the concrete, letting it rest for around half an hour. If you leave it on too long, the vinegar can eat through concrete parts.
Cleaning concrete with vinegar or baking soda is a good option if you are looking for a natural cleaner. While cleaning concrete with bleach or detergent can be effective, it can also be toxic to plants.
Acid staining is a chemical reaction that permanently changes the color of the concrete surface. If you want to stain old concrete, using a true acid stain is always the best option.
If you don't have tea tree oil or don't want to use it, this homemade concrete cleaner will still be effective due to the addition of baking soda and peroxide. They work together as an anti-fungal, but also whiten and remove the stains from mildew.
A: While our CLR Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover (in the grey bottle) is safe to use on concrete, we recommend using a 50/50 blend of CLR and warm water solution, pick an inconspicuous SPOT TEST AREA FIRST (to see if there will be any chemical reaction between our product and your concrete).
Rinse the bleach off with a hose. If those stubborn stains aren't coming off, mix oxygen bleach with water to make a paste that's the same consistency as peanut butter. Apply to stained areas and let it sit for an hour.
If you need to get rid of rust from concrete, your best bet is to use some WD-40 Multi-Use Product, and some elbow grease. WD-40 is specially formulated to be a penetrant, so when you spray it on a rusted surface, it gets to work right away by getting under the rust.
If your concrete is dull and sprouting weeds or mold, bleach is your best option for cleaning and brightening concrete. Mix a cup of bleach into a 5-gallon bucket of warm water, then spray or pour over concrete.
Although concrete stain is permanent and won't flake off like paint, it penetrates only the top layer of the concrete surface and will eventually wear away as the surface is worn by traffic or weather exposure.
If water has a high iron or mineral content, or if the water is carrying leaves or dirt, it can leave behind iron or rust colored stains, or dark spots on the concrete. The most common way to remove discoloration caused by water is to use a heated pressure washer, or acid rinse.
Your concrete patio, driveway, or porch can develop rust stains if it comes in frequent contact with water flowing out of natural stone, or water rich in minerals. The minerals can accumulate, get oxidized, and turn reddish-brown.
1. Chlorine Bleach and Color-Safe Bleach. Diluted household bleaches are among the most effective stain removers for clothing and linens.
Coca Cola contains citric acid that breaks down the molecules in motor oil and unsightly grease, allowing the stains to be easily washed away. With the aid of a stiff brush, Coke can remove motor oil, grease and even rust stains from concrete surfaces like your garage floor with ease.
For stains, first try warm water and a soft (non-metal) scrub brush. Graduate to mild soap to strong soap, and finally adding ammonia. For stubborn stains, chemicals or degreasers may be needed. (These should only be used on plain concrete, not stained or polished surfaces.)