Solve Your Dirty Concrete Woes
Bleach;can go a long way with just about any stain, but the big issue in our case was handling the dirty concrete without damaging nearby plants. It’s not exactly well-maintained due to our extensive travels, but this side yard serves as a haven for our animals and a favorite romping area for the kids. I didn’t want to kill the wild grass that grows there.
Fortunately, there is a tool for every job and a job for every tool! Scotts Outdoor Cleaners reached out and asked us to try their;Scotts Outdoor Cleaner plus OxiClean, which gets it all taken care of without aggravation.
If it was up to Nate, he’d dump the concentrated stuff in his pressure washer and go to town. I’m too lazy to bust all that out for;a small job, so I appreciate the fact that they make a 32 ounce bottle that;attaches to a standard household hose. Scotts also makes a trigger spray bottle. Either way, it’s foaming action for the win! Let it sit, scrub away with a handheld brush, and rinse. This task took me all of five minutes.
Best of all,;this Scotts Outdoor Cleaner;won’t harm fabrics or wood like chlorine bleach will, making it a good option to have on-hand for a variety of outdoor tasks. You can get the job done and get on with your day.
Pet Urine Removal Instructions
Did you know that you can identify pet urine on concrete with a black light? Take a look at Urine Zero: The Pet Odor / Urine Smell Remover
Cleaning Leaf Stains From A Driveway
Stains on concrete driveways from leaves, grass, tree sap, and other organic materials can be tough to remove. They typically require special cleaners formulated for the removal of organic stains. These cleaners typically do not affect the concrete color or harm the surface because the enzymes only target organic material.
Follow these steps:
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Does Simple Green Clean Concrete
Simple GreenConcreteCleaner canwashingcleaningconcrete
- Oil Eater Original 1 Gallon Cleaner/Degreaser.
- Simple Green 18202 Concrete and Driveway Cleaner.
- Concrete and Driveway Cleaner by TERMINATOR-HSD.
- EXIMO Waterless Concrete Cleaner.
- Powdered Concrete Floor Cleaner, Orange.
- Sheiner’s Floor Cleaner Concentrate.
How Do Concrete Patios Get So Dirty
Patios can amass a mess from a million different places. Water, dirt, rust, etc.
Nature is a messy place, and its hard to avoid that, especially with uncovered patios.
If youre getting a lot of weeds and grass in the joints of your patio, consider using sand or a chemical solution along the joints to keep out greenery.
Another common place for stains is any metal surfaces that you might have on your patio.
Furniture, grills, and structures might start oxidizing and leaving rust stains on your patio.
That doesnt mean you have to ditch your patio accessories it just means that you have some routine cleaning you need to prepare for.
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Can You Clean Pavers Without Chemicals
If you prefer to use eco-friendly products, vinegar, and baking soda are viable alternatives. When they are mixed with water, they can be a powerful cleaning agent. Also, theyre both safe for your pets and plants!
They are also good for the environment because unlike some of the cleaning agents that can be bought on the market, they are biodegradable. So, you wont contribute to water and soil pollution.
Will White Vinegar Clean Concrete
Scrubbing rust stains from concrete, even those years old, can be done with vinegar and water. White vinegar and a small brush are very effective and eco-friendly.
Pour the white vinegar directly into the stain, wait 20 minutes as it soaks in, and eat away at the rust.
Scrub with a stiff-bristled brush.
Vinegar is a natural cleaning solution that is safe to use on your patio and around your home.
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How To Clean Patios And Outdoor Surfaces
- Working Time: 2 – 4 hrs
If you have greenish-black stuff on your concrete patio, it’s probably mold, mildew, or moss. Damp or moist conditions from rain or humidity can encourage mold and mildew to grow in those nooks and cracks of concrete pavers or bricks. It’s important to find a sure way to remove it that won’t destroy nearby landscaping and harm the environment with a blast of harsh chemicals. This method uses natural, super-versatile ingredients in most homes, such as vinegar and Borax. These cleaners should be able to tackle most cases of mold or mildew.
Oil And Grease Removal Instructions
From here, you have several options.
Another strategy that works well is using kitty litter to soak up the liquid.
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Seconds Outdoor Cleaner Is Safe Around Your Lawn Plants And Landscaping
Is 30 SECONDS Outdoor Cleaner safe to use around your lawns, plants and landscaping? Absolutely! 30 SECONDS has been cleaning your sidewalks, decks and driveways since 1977. We all have lovely landscaping around our decks and patios. When you clean your outside areas with 30 SECONDS Outdoor Cleaner you can rinse everything away, into your lawns, flowerbeds and landscaping.
Here are some actual pictures from a family in Alabama who cleaned their sidewalk and got so excited they had to share their masterpiece! The grass looks great and the sidewalk looks even better.
They also sent us pictures of their chairs. ;Notice the green algae on the left before cleaning with 30 SECONDS Outdoor Cleaner.;
Their comments are: I clean our patio furniture, once a year, in the spring. I always move them to the lawn first. I spray on 30 SECONDS, to clean all the stains from algae, mold and mildew. Once I rinse the furniture, they are lovely and clean, the grass is fine, and I dont have to worry that I created a clean spot on the deck.”
Once 30 SECONDS Outdoor Cleaner is rinsed into the soil, it breaks down and doesnt harm the grass. It doesnt get any easier than this! Thats why its still so popular, after 37 years.
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30 SECONDS Cleaners are proudly made in the USATroutdale, Oregon and Manchester, Tennessee
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30 SECONDS Cleaners are proudly made in the USATroutdale, Oregon and Manchester, Tennessee
Tip : Use Boiling Water
Before you start using chemicals that might be harmful to you and the environment, try cleaning the algae off your walkway using boiling water, especially if the seaweed is growing near grass and other plants. Get a bucket full of boiling water and carefully pour it over the green surface. Next, take a stiff brush and work on the affected areas. Finally, use a hose and wash away any debris.
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Natural Concrete Cleaning Solution For Pressure Washers
Power washers are by far the most accessible tool to use when trying to clean the exterior of your home, especially when it comes to concrete. If made right, a homemade concrete cleaning solution for pressure washer can kill off mold, too.
To start making your solution, pour one gallon of water into a bucket. Try to get the water to a hot temperature. Then, add baking soda little by little and stir while adding the baking soda until it has dissolved into the water. Add in one quart of household bleach and dish detergent, then mix slowly to avoid the suds from overpowering the bucket.
Once this natural cleaner is mixed together, pour it into the pressure washer and follow the directions for the tool as stated on the packaging for the best DIY cleaning result.
How To Clean Mold And Mildew From A Concrete Driveway
If your driveway is in a heavily shaded spot, you may have issues with mold and mildew growth, especially if weather conditions are damp and humid. Scrub the area with a mold-killing detergent or a solution of bleach and water . If youre worried about damage to nearby plant life, distilled white vinegar can also be effective. Learn more: How to Clean Mold Off Concrete.
Safety tips: Always wear gloves when scrubbing with bleach to protect your hands. And never mix bleach with other household cleaners because the chemical reaction could produce toxic fumes.
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Do You Need To Rinse Bleach Off Concrete
Bleachconcreteconcreterinsingbleachshouldrinsing offThe best patio cleaners you can buy
- Patio Magic Green Mould & Algae: The best patio cleaner for tackling green mould and algae.
- Kärcher 3-in-1 Stone Cleaner: The best patio cleaner for Kärcher pressure washers.
- Patio Clean Xtreme: The best patio cleaner for black spot.
Steps
Best Patio Cleaners In 2021
For many of us, the patio is our favorite spot. Its a great space to catch a breath of fresh air within the comfort of our own homes. To keep the patio enjoyable, regular cleaning and maintenance are required. As many of you know, patio dirt and stains can be notoriously stubborn and difficult to remove.
But even if you have hardcore stains on the surface, there is a way of giving your patio its old shine back. Patio cleaners are specially designed products that work hard to remove any signs of dirt, plant debris, mold, algae, and anything else that might be stuck on the surface.
With all the different brands and options available, choosing the right product might seem like a complicated task. Dont worry though, well give our best to walk you through the process and help you pick the best patio cleaner for any surface. It will make the cleaning process easy and keep your patio looking great throughout the year.
Efficient against: Dirt, grime, mold, mildew
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How To Deal With Dirty Concrete Near Plants
Mmmm, dirty concrete. That’s a compelling title, isn’t it?
About a year ago I was rearranging some stuff to prep for painting the house, and I tossed this welcome mat out back.
There it remained, festering with water and dirt and eventually growing mildew and algae which leads to unsightly mildew and algae stains. Gross. Dirty concrete can be unforgiving, leading to stubborn blemishes and splotches. There are thousands of tiny, porous little gaps that lead way to deeply-ingrained stains in dirty concrete.
Tips To Keep Your Patio Clean Longer
For those who followed the instructions, scrubbed hard, and used the solution a few times without much luck, know that sometimes tougher measures are called for. A product like Wet & Forget should do the job. While the label says it is;bleach-free, phosphate-free, non-acidic, and safe near plants and on all outdoor surfaces , do take caution when using this product. Wear rubber gloves and avoid unnecessary dripping into your garden or grass.
Follow the directions on the container of the cleaning product, making sure that the previous cleaning solvents have been thoroughly rinsed off with a strong blast from the hose. While the product used may claim that scrubbing isn’t necessary, it will probably be necessary to have those sleeves rolled up; continue to scrub the moldy/mossy area until it’s free of all the green stuff.
Try revisiting the area in a week or two to keep on top of the mold and mildew. Persistence will pay offif you regularly do a light cleaning of the space, more thorough cleanings every few months won’t be necessary.
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Degreasing And Cleaning Concrete
When it comes time to cleaning oil stains off concrete, its important to know that youll have to use a DIY concrete cleaner that digs deep down into the pavement. If youre looking for an excellent way to get oil stains off concrete, start mixing ingredients to make an excellent homemade concrete cleaner.
This recipe also works well as a pressure washer cleaning solution for concrete or brick.
- Hot water
Apply baking soda directly to stain on concrete and let it sit for a few minutes. Pour vinegar on the baking soda and the mixture will start to fizzle. Then, apply laundry detergent and scrub with a stiff brush. Rinse the area with a fully powered hose.
Repeat if necessary for complete stain removal. Use this solution for cleaning composite deck with vinegar and baking soda to get rid of mold, mildew and other stains that may mar the surface, too.
How To Prevent Future Stains
If you want to prevent future stains, you can seal your concrete after you clean it really good.
Sealing will keep your concrete safe from the elements in the future.
Make sure that you are using a penetrating sealer to prevent cracks and will keep your concrete from getting too slippery if it rains.
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Grease And Oil Stains
To clean oil from concrete, sprinkle sawdust, cornmeal, or baking soda directly onto the stain to absorb as much of the spill as possible. Once the spill is absorbed, brush away the remaining powder with a broom.
If a stain remains, sprinkle more baking soda and scrub the stain with a nylon brush and a little bit of water. Not all is lost if the oil stain is old or has penetrated the surface; to help remove residual grease stains, try a degreaser and follow the manufacturers instructions.
How To Clean A Concrete Pathway Without Harming The Surrounding Grass
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After a few years, homeowners might notice that their concrete walks, driveway and patio look a bit tired. Nature’s detritus dirt, decaying leaves, growing moss, decomposing fruit and berry-stained bird droppings adds up until the average homeowner goes looking for a walkway and patio cleaner that doesn’t kill the grass. Cleaning concrete and patio pavers without damaging adjacent plants begins with preparing your surface and an environmentally friendly approach before you have to apply elbow grease and chemicals.
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How To Clean Your Paving Slabs Without Using Chemicals
Everyone loves a beautiful lawn, so having filthy paving slabs can be a big problem. Not all people think this is a problem because plants are supposed to be the main star in gardens, right? But a patio can make or break a garden because this is where most people spend their time.
So, if its essential to clean your patio, do you need to use harsh chemicals? No. You can use products that are readily available at home, non-toxic, and biodegradable. Aside from that, they wont pose a threat to your plants or pets, so its a must-have if you want to have clean paving slabs.
Here are some of the things that you need to know before cleaning your pavers:
Cleaning A Cement Patio
The floors of your house are precious to you, and thats why you keep them clean; well, the same should go for your patio. We suggest cleaning your patio in the spring, before peak patio season.
Before applying a DIY concrete patio cleaner, be sure to remove all extras from the concrete . Then, sweep away any dirt or debris present on the patio and apply homemade concrete patio cleaner.
- 1/8 cup dishwashing detergent
Mix bleach with water and then add dishwashing detergent to the mix and put it into a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the cement patio, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub the mix into the concrete with a stiff brush.
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