How to Remove Acorn Stains From Concrete in a Jiffy
Acorn stains are stains from the nut of an oak tree. It basically falls under the organic or tannin-based types of stains. It is similar to stains obtained from dry leaves and nuts that are allowed to remain on a concrete surface for a long period. The coloring substances is the one that is absorbed, causing stains on the concrete surface. Having said that, the good news is that acorn stain is not permanent. However, the longer they linger on the surface, the harder it becomes to remove.
As mentioned, acorn stains are organic; hence, they are carbon-based. They are one of the most stubborn stains to deal with, especially when found on concrete surfaces. Due to their organic nature, they require cleaners that target organic materials. Organic cleaners generally constitute of bacteria and enzymes that are capable of breaking down the organic stain. The organic cleaners target the organic stain only; hence the concrete is not harmed at all, considering it as not organic.
To determine the procedure and type of cleaner to use, one should first assess the stain severity by ascertaining the period of time it has been on the surface. Fresher stains are easy to remove compared to long term stains.
How To Clean Concrete Surfaces Stained By Acorn
They say they are different ways of killing a rat as long as at the end of the day the rat is dead, so they are different ways of eradicating acorn stains on concrete surfaces;
Method I
Make a thick paste of Hydrogen Peroxide (2 cups) plus Ammonia (2 tbsp) and sawdust in a bucket.
Go ahead and spread the above paste on the concrete acorn stain spot. Give it a few minutes to sink so that it can reach to the bottom of the stain and lift it to the surface. After that, you can gently remove the paste and throw it away.
From there using a garden hose, you can wet the concrete area then apply a squirt from the dishwashing detergent onto the surface where the stain was and scrub using a hard scrubbing brush.
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After you have scrubbed hard enough to produce a lather, cover the place with some more sawdust to help absorb the water and soap.
Finally, using the garden hose, you can now splash water to sweep away the remaining sawdust and any other dirt. Then allow the concrete surface to dry.
Method II
To begin with, sweep off any debris off acorns, leaves, and dirt from the stained concrete surface.
Make a mixture of water and dish soap, pour it on the stained surface, then using a garden horse that has a nozzle and under high pressure rinse off the soap.
If the stain is still visible, it means it may have lingered on the surface for a long while and become stubborn, so you need to use a stronger cleaning detergent.
Alternatively, use OxiClean cleaner. To make things really easy, it’s available on Amazon. Check out the good deal available there on OxiClean cleaner.
Mix it with water and smear it on the stained surface. Allow it to settle for about 10 minutes first, then begin to scrub the surface gently until the stain disappears.
Method III
Mild Stain
Mix powdered dishwasher detergent with water. Using this mix wet the stained surface and scrub with a hard brush. Using pressurized water, rinse the surface.
Moderate stain
For moderate stain, you need a bleach solution (on Amazon). Read the instructions carefully to ensure you mix to the write proportions. Using the mixture scrub it on the stain vigorously then allow it to sink deep into the surface. After a few minutes, rinse the surface, ensuring the water does not spill over to plants because of the bleach component in them.
Deep Stain
For a deep stain, you need to purchase a TPS – Tri-Sodium Phosphate (on Amazon). Ensure you protect yourself by wearing protective gloves, goggles, and clothes. To obtain a good mixture, mix a gallon of hot water with a cup of TSP. Pre-wet the stained surface then using the TPS mixture to scrub the stained surface for like 10 minutes. Rinse the area thoroughly with clean water.
Method IV
When using Bio-remediation that uses microorganisms to clean the stain, you apply just a little amount of the cleaner.
Use a broom to brush gently back and forth the stain.
Using a spray bottle sprinkle some water on the stained area until its damp. Allow it to remain as it is without rinsing.
Repeat the procedure after two weeks.
Some of the best cleaning agents for acorn stains on concrete surfaces include;
How To Protect Concrete From Acorn Stains
Cleaning the concrete often
Acorn stains are a result of organic debris lying on the concrete surface for long periods. Just regular sweeping of the surface can guarantee stain-free surfaces.
Sealing surface
You can use a sealant to prevent surfaces from staining. A good sealant should be breathable to avoid water from trapping in the concrete.
General Concrete Cleaning Products
Besides removing acorn stains, you should be well-versed with the various products designed to clean or remove stubborn stains from concrete surfaces. Getting to know the various cleaners and how they work will save both your time and money on your cleaning projects.
Just to mention, concrete is overly porous and holds dirt well. This makes it a tough surface to clean. Therefore, even with excellent concrete cleaners, patience will make the difference when working on stubborn stains from concrete. That said, below are the various types of concrete cleaners;
PH-Neutral Concrete Cleaners
PH neutral cleaners are designed to be used for cleaning interior sealed concrete surfaces with no embedded dirt. They can as well be beneficial for both interior and exterior unsealed concrete surfaces that require mild cleaning. They are typically concentrates that can be diluted with varying amounts of water in accordance with the level of cleaning required.
Once diluted appropriately, spread the cleaner then scrub with light agitation. You should allow some minutes before vacuuming or mopping the residue. You can also rinse with clean water. If some dirt remains on the surface, simply repeat the process, but with a stronger solution.
Acidic Concrete Cleaners
Acidic cleaners are designed to remove dirt and stains that can dissolve in acidic solutions. They are effective in removing efflorescence on concrete, which is an insoluble metallic salt appearing as a white powder on concrete surfaces and doesn’t wash away in plain water. These stains often result from prolonged exposure of the concrete surface to hard water, high salt content, and high soil alkalinity.
As expected, acidic cleaners have acids as active ingredients. They are available either as ready-to-use that can be applied to the concrete directly or as concentrated solutions. Depending on the concentration of the solution, you might have to apply some additional cleaner during scrubbing to remove tough and stubborn stains. Also, don’t forget to neutralize the concrete surface after cleaning with an acid cleaner. You should also consider using a sealer to protect the cleaned area from future salt contamination.
Alkaline Concrete Cleaners
Better known as concrete degreasers, they are preferred for cleaning oil, grease, and other hydrocarbon-based stains on concrete surfaces. The high alkalinity concentration of these cleaners break down or emulsifies the oily contamination. Alkaline cleaners can also be used to neutralize concrete surfaces after cleaning with acid cleaners or following an accidental acid staining.
Alkaline cleaners are best for bringing acidic PH to alkaline, which is the concrete’s natural state. Most alkaline cleaners are available as concentrates that require dilution with water. You should make your mixture depending on the aggressiveness of the stain. For deep and old stains, apply the cleaner at full strength. On the other hand, dilute more for stains that haven’t penetrated deep.
As with other concrete cleaners, scrubbing or some agitation is necessary to assure of cleaning success. When using alkaline cleaners, ensure that you allow sufficient time for the cleaner to work before scrubbing. Also, depending on the depth and type of stains, you might have to use several applications, allowing each to work for a few hours to get better results.
You should also watch out to lift the oil stain out of concrete once it has been emulsified. Use a wet vac, rags, or poultice for this. Clear the remaining residue with clean water and apply additional cleaner if the stain hasn’t dissolved completely.
Enzymatic Concrete Cleaners
As the name suggests, these newest concrete cleaners leverage organic chemistry and active enzymes to break down and digest stains. Better known as oxidation cleaners, they are formulated to break down specific stains, including starch-based stains, protein-based stains, and hydrocarbon-based stains.
The best part about using enzyme cleaners is that they don’t require water for activation. They also leave little or no residues to be washed away. The enzymes simply consume the stains until it’s depleted. The only drawback is that they are not fast-acting. Depending on the size of the stain, the agent will take some days or weeks to achieve satisfactory cleaning.
Things to Consider when Buying Concrete Cleaner
Evidently, the wide array of concrete cleaning options may make it difficult to find the best cleaning agent. That said, below are some things you should know before purchasing a concrete cleaner.
- Effectiveness
Cleaning concrete surfaces is probably a daunting task. Therefore, you should purchase an effective concrete cleaner to ease the task. The best way of evaluating the effectiveness of the product is by reading reviews and asking around. A quick online search will give you several reviews about the product.
- Safety
Safety is an essential consideration when searching for concrete cleaners and cleaning agents in general. For this, check the contents of the package to ascertain that it isn’t made from strong chemicals that can harm users. The cleaner should be human, pet, and environmentally friendly.
- Fragrance
The fragrance is what most people prioritize when searching for the best concrete stain remover. As such, you should check to ensure that the concrete cleaner comes with a pleasant fragrance. If you don’t like scented cleaners, you can opt for fragrance-free cleaning agents as well.
- Eco-friendly
You should pay great attention to how the product negatively affects the environment. Always avoid products that cause disastrous effects on various bio-diversities. The cleaner should not have potential pollutants to make it safe for use in an open environment.
- Versatility
Unless you need a specific concrete cleaner, you should opt for concrete cleaning solutions with great versatility. Always check for products that are not made for a specific type of flooring or specific colors. Concrete floors may also have various designs, texture, color, density, and composite. Therefore, ensure that your product of choice can be used everywhere.
- Quantity and Packaging
The quantity of the cleaner and packaging are essential considerations if you want value for your money. Choose your preferred quantity, depending on your intended usage. Also, the packaging of concrete cleaners plays a significant role in how easy they are to use. Bottled cleaners, for instance, are convenient to use.
The Bottom Line
Removing acorn stains and other stubborn contamination from concrete can prove challenging. However, with the procedures outlined above, you might find it simple tacking the tough stains on your concrete surfaces and driveway. Note that of much importance is choosing a concrete cleaner. Find one that suits the type of stain and easy to work with. For specific types of stains, you can opt for specialty cleaners, which remove specific types of contaminations. They are often made from a combination of two or more cleaner types.
