clean stained sidewalk?
#1
07-22-21, 09:36 AM
clean stained sidewalk?
Somebody drag a leaking bag of garbage down the sidewalk and it left this stain on the concrete. Not sure what substance leaked, perhaps fish blood mixed with other substances/fluid but not sure. I tried pressure washing it off with a strong pressure washer but it couldn't clean it off. Any suggestions appreciated. I know there are concrete cleaner products, never tried any though.
#2
07-22-21, 10:02 AM
Group Moderator
You might try sprinkling some Oxy Clean powder on it, wet it, scrub it, keep it wet for 10-15 minutes and then power wash it. Course then you will have a clean spot... and have to do the entire sidewalk! LOL
#3
07-22-21, 10:09 AM
I already tried pouring a little hydrogen peroxide on some of it, scrubbing it in good with a brush, then rinsing with the power washer. Didnt do anything. Somebody said hydrogen peroxide helps clean blood stains that's why I tried that. So Oxi-Clean "might" work? If so, I'll go buy some and try unless it's just a wild guess.
#4
07-22-21, 10:20 AM
Group Moderator
Yeah, you could call it a "wild guess" since I have no idea what the stain is or what might work to remove it. It would be similar to peroxide since that's what oxiclean forms but you would think the paste would be stronger. Just thought you might already have some in the laundry.
Muriatic acid is diluted in water to scrub and dissolve mortar but it's not guaranteed to remove unknown organic stains either.
Muriatic acid is diluted in water to scrub and dissolve mortar but it's not guaranteed to remove unknown organic stains either.
#5
07-22-21, 10:30 AM
Ok I'll give the oxi-clean powder a try, per that suggestion. If no luck with that I do have some muriatic acid on hand to try. How much should I dilute it ya think?
#6
07-22-21, 10:36 AM
Group Moderator
Muriatic acid should usually never be mixed any stronger than 4 parts water to 1 part acid, and is often mixed as a 10% solution.... 10 parts water to 1 parts acid. If you already have it you might as well try it on a small spot and see if it works. If the acid doesn't touch it I doubt the oxiclean would do a thing.
It will ruin the brush you use and you should wear rubber gloves and goggles.
It will ruin the brush you use and you should wear rubber gloves and goggles.
#7
07-22-21, 10:45 AM
Thanks XSleeper for the suggestions/info. Will try, and post back with hopefully a success story. Will use rubber gloves and googles too, thanks.
#8
07-22-21, 11:59 AM
Member
Skip the chemicals, a power washer with plate/surface cleaner will make it look like new!
https://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors...-5yc1vZ2fkooyv
https://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors...-5yc1vZ2fkooyv
#9
07-22-21, 12:07 PM
a power washer with plate/surface cleaner will make it look like new!
#10
07-22-21, 12:37 PM
Coming home after Thanksgiving last-year, while unloading the 'please-take-some-home' containers, a quart of gravy did a backflip and SPLAT on our asphalt driveway- leaving a big stain.
It has only within the last 2 weeks finally faded away.
What I'd suggest is to use some dishwasher detergent, suds it up into a foam, and then apply if once or twice, then wash off.
Something I noticed while cleaning my wife-to-be's apartment kitchen - if you get the soap-to-water ratio JUST RIGHT, (1 part soap to 4 parts water) basic dish soap will clean almost anything (e.g. baked on crud in an oven). The trick that I found was to use a French press coffee maker to make a tiny bubbles to create a thick foam that's almost like shaving cream; slather it on what you want to clean, and it (mostly) sticks to vertical surfaces or even upside down.
It has only within the last 2 weeks finally faded away.
What I'd suggest is to use some dishwasher detergent, suds it up into a foam, and then apply if once or twice, then wash off.
Something I noticed while cleaning my wife-to-be's apartment kitchen - if you get the soap-to-water ratio JUST RIGHT, (1 part soap to 4 parts water) basic dish soap will clean almost anything (e.g. baked on crud in an oven). The trick that I found was to use a French press coffee maker to make a tiny bubbles to create a thick foam that's almost like shaving cream; slather it on what you want to clean, and it (mostly) sticks to vertical surfaces or even upside down.
