How to Clean Leaf Tannin Off Concrete

Leaf tannin on concrete leaves a brownish discoloration. To remove leaf stains, you must lift the stain without causing any damage to the porous surface of the concrete. Several options are available to clean the tannin stain without damaging the concrete. It may take one or more options to remove the stain, depending on how long the stain has been on the concrete.

Things You'll Need

• Goggles
• Gloves
• Broom
• Bucket
• Bleach
• Dry laundry soap
• Tri-sodium phosphate
• Nylon scrub brush

Instructions

1. Sweep the debris and dirt off the concrete using a push broom with stiff bristles.

2. Put on safety goggles and gloves.

3. Prepare a mixture of 1 cup of bleach to 3 cups of hot water. Pour the mixture on the leaf stain. Use the nylon brush to scrub the stain. Rinse with water and let it dry. If the stain persists, repeat the process.

4. Sprinkle dry laundry soap on the concrete stain. Allow the soap to sit on the stain for five minutes. Fill a bucket with hot water. Dip the nylon brush in the hot water and scrub the stain. After scrubbing, rinse and get dry. If the stain persists, repeat this process.

5. Mix 1 gallon of water with 1 cup of tri-sodium phosphate. Pour the mixture on the tannin stain. Allow the mixture to sit for about 20 minutes. Scrub the stain with a nylon brush to work in the solution and lift the stain. Rinse the stain with water from a garden hose. Allow to dry. Repeat if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Using muriatic acid as a cleaner for concrete can damage the surface.

• Never use a wire brush on a porous surface.

References

• Home Owner Care: How to Remove Concrete Stains
• Concrete Network: How to Remove Leaf Stain from Concrete