How to Get Leaf Stains off Concrete

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Things You'll Need

  • Bucket

  • Water

  • Dish soap

  • Garden hose

  • Stiff scrub brush

  • 8 oz. oxygen bleach

  • 1 cup trisodium phosphate

The natural pigment in a leaf can leave colored stains on concrete.

The natural dye in plant leaves may leave stains on concrete. Over time, the leaves' dyes can seep into the concrete surface if leaves are left in one spot long enough. The porous nature of concrete absorbs the dyes, thereby leaving a leaf stain. Concrete leaf stains diminish the appearance of your driveway, patio or walkway. You can remove leaf stains from concrete using the proper products and methods.

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Light Leaf Stains

Step 1

Fill a bucket with water as hot as you can tolerate. Add a few squirts of dish soap and use your hands to mix up the soap and water.

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Step 2

Wet down the concrete with plain water from the garden hose. Dip a stiff scrub brush into the soapy water and scrub a generous amount onto the leaf stain. Use the scrub brush to briskly scrub the concrete to lift the stain.

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Step 3

Let the detergent solution sit on the stain for about five minutes. Rinse the concrete with water from the garden hose. Use the pressurized nozzle on your garden hose, if you have one, to assist in removing the stain.

Moderate Leaf Stains

Step 1

Fill a bucket with 1 gallon hot water. Add 8 oz. oxygen bleach to the water. Wait a few minutes for the oxygen bleach to completely dissolve into the water.

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Step 2

Wet down the concrete with plain water from the garden hose. Dip a stiff scrub brush into the bleach solution and briskly scrub the concrete stains.

Step 3

Let the solution sit on the concrete for 10 minutes. Rinse with plain water.

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Dark Leaf Stains

Step 1

Fill a bucket with 1 gallon hot water. Add 1 cup trisodium phosphate to the water.

Step 2

Wet down the concrete with water. Dip a stiff scrub brush into the solution and scrub it vigorously onto the leaf stain.

Step 3

Allow the cleaning solution to sit on the leaf stain for 15 minutes. Rinse the concrete with plain water.

Tip

It may require more than one application of any of the three cleaning methods to fully remove leaf stains from concrete. Use a pressure washer to lighten or remove leaf stains from concrete.

Warning

Use caution when working with trisodium phosphate. Wear rubber gloves and protective eye wear. Wear long clothing that covers your arms and legs. Cover surrounding plants and landscaping with plastic sheets when cleaning with trisodium phosphate. This cleaner may damage or kill plants. Rinse the plants and landscaping with plain water promptly after cleaning.

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