Although concrete is incredibly durable, it is still vulnerable to staining. Luckily, when that happens, there are many effective DIY fixes for homeowners to try. To keep your walkways, basement, and other concrete surfaces looking clean for years, put the following tips in your upkeep arsenal.

How to Get Rid of Concrete Stains

1. Try Baking Soda

During the winter months, you may be tempted to apply ice-melting salt products to your walkways and driveways. However, these products will eat away at concrete surfaces, leaving them corroded and stained. Instead, apply a generous amount of baking soda. This will also melt the ice without harming the surface.

2. Clean Oil Stains With Household Products

You don’t need specialized, expensive products to remove oil stains. Just apply cat litter over the stained area. Brush the litter in deep, then sweep it up. Next, pour cola over the stain and brush it in, leaving it there for about 20 minutes. Finally, mop it all up with a mixture of one gallon of warm water, a quarter cup of laundry detergent, and a quarter cup of bleach. Make sure to protect your skin and eyes when using this solution. The mildly corrosive properties of all these ingredients have an exfoliating quality that removes tough oil stains.

3. Remove Rust With Kool-Aid

Rust stains are also easy to remove with basic household products. Just get a packet of unsweetened lemonade Kool-Aid®, and mix it with hot water. Scrub the stained area with this solution. It should come out fairly easily, thanks to the mildly corrosive and gritty nature of the powder.

If none of these work, get in touch with an expert. They’ll use professional-grade tools and methods to remove more stubborn stains. 

If you need concrete services in the Kamuela, HI, area, get in touch with Kohala Coast Concrete & Precast. They provide everything from practical precast materials to decorative stamped concrete. Contact them online now for more information, or call (808) 882-7970 to speak with an employee.