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B asked: How do I remove pecan stains from a cement patio? I did not know that pecans would stain. I never had them before. We had a patio poured, and now it is covered with pecan stains. I tried a pressure washer and also OxiClean. Nothing happened. Do I need to paint it?
Nut
trees can leave quite a mess with the many pieces that fall and leave different colored stains. Pressure washing is a good way to go, but if it doesn’t work, what is left? Here are a couple of options to try before giving the tree the big good-bye.
You Will Need:
- Laundry or dishwashing detergent
- Bleach (diluted with water)
- Concrete cleaner (available at home improvement stores)
- Trisodium Phosphate (TSP)
- Stiff bristled brush or broom
- Hose or power washer
Steps to Remove the Stains:
- There are several products that can be used to remove stains from concrete. We’ll go over several different approaches. Choose the one with the materials you have available first, then move on from there until the stain is removed.
- In a bucket, mix one part bleach with two parts water.
- Apply the bleach mixture to the stained areas and allow it to set for a few minutes.
- Scrub the area with a stiff broom or scrub brush, depending on the size of the stains.
- Rinse the area thoroughly with a hose or power washer.
- If the stains remain, try washing the area with laundry or dish detergent.
- Pour the soap directly onto the stains and allow it to soak for a few minutes.
- Spray with water and scrub with a brush or broom.
- Rinse the area thoroughly with clean water.
- TSP is another cleaning agent that works well on tough stains.
- Mix one cup of TSP with one gallon of hot water.
- Pour it onto the stained area and allow it to set for 15-20 minutes.
- Scrub the area and rinse thoroughly with clean water.
- There are cleaners specially designed for cleaning concrete which often work better than home cleaning products.
- Apply the cleaner according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Once the stain is removed, rinse the area thoroughly and allow it to dry completely.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Consider pruning the trees back to reduce the amount of debris that falls onto the concrete area.
- Retractable covers area available and will prevent the tree debris from landing on the concrete.
- When selecting a scrub brush, choose a nylon brush, not wire.
- If using a pressure washer, ensure you have the appropriate nozzle for cleaning concrete. Too much pressure can damage the surface.
TSP will kill the grass and plants.
My issue is olive stains on flagstone. Any suggestions welcome.
Randi,
Try using a pet enzyme digester that is for hard surfaces, such as Nature’s Miracle Hard Floor Cleaner. Follow the directions on the label to use the product. If that doesn’t work, try the stains in this nut article. Enzyme cleaners work best when an area hasn’t been treated with any other chemicals, so it’s better to try them first. Good luck!
Source: HowToCleanStuff – How to Remove Black Olive Stains from Carpet
Facing the same problem. Power washer – no good. Bleach and TSP with power washer – minor progress. A paste or strong suspension of Oxyclean and water with a stiff plastic brush – well, doesn’t quite just wipe right off, but scrubs off pretty quickly. Got the porch stairs and railings in about an hour, the rest should take about the same.