How to Remove Salt Stains on Concrete

Salt deposits can build up on concrete and leave behind unsightly stains. A buildup of salts in concrete can occur naturally from the salts and minerals found in soil and rocks. Salt stains can also be a result of the use of salt as a de-icing agent during the winter months. Salt stains will appear as white blobs and can occasionally be difficult to remove from concrete.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hydrochloric acid
• Water
• Stiff-bristled broom
• Gloves
• Eye protection

1. Wet the salt stain with clear warm water. Pour enough water to completely cover the stained area.

2. Scrub the salt stain using the water and a stiff-bristled broom. You may need to scrub several minutes to effectively remove the excess salt.

3. Rinse the concrete to see if the water was enough to remove the salt stain. If it is still visible, you may need to use a more powerful agent to get rid of the stain.

4. Mix together one part hydrochloric acid to twenty parts water. Make sure you are wearing gloves and eye protection during this step.

5. Apply the diluted acid to the still-wet concrete. Test a small area of the concrete first before application. This can help you determine if the agent will have an adverse effect on the material. Once you apply the acid solution to the salt stain, you should let it sit for fifteen minutes.

6. Wash away the acid solution with a lot of clean water. Continue to scrub at the stain while you are rinsing. You may have to rinse two or three times to be sure all of the acid has been washed off of the concrete.

References

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