How to Remove Water Spots From Cement Caused by Flower Pots
When flower pots sit outside on concrete patios, walkways or entryways, when you move the pots, you may be left with a stain. If the stain was just water, it will fade as the water dries. But flower pot stains often contain dirt, salts, rust or fertilizer residues. Get rid of these stains to restore your concrete to its pristine finish to keep your yard looking fresh.
Step 1
Remove the flower pots and any other items from the area of concrete that needs to be cleaned.
Step 2
Sweep any loose dirt and debris from the concrete with a broom.
Step 3
Rinse the stained concrete with water from a garden hose. Use an attached spray nozzle to increase the water pressure. Or, use a pressure washer set below 1500 psi. Allow the spot to dry and see if the stain is gone. If the stain is not gone but has faded, keep rinsing until the stain is gone, or stops fading.
Step 4
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a bucket. Pour or use a spray bottle to apply the mixture to the stain. Scrub the stain with a stiff-bristled brush, then rinse the area with water. Repeat until the stain fades.
Step 5
Dissolve 1 cup of tri-sodium phosphate in 1 gallon of warm water. Saturate the stained area with the mixture and scrub it with a stiff-bristled brush. Rinse the area with water. Repeat until the stain fades.
Tip
You can buy tri-sodium phosphate from a hardware store.
Tip
Rinse the brush between each cleaning to remove any dirt or cleaner residue.
Warning
Wear gloves and eye protection when working with tri-sodium phosphate.
Things You Will Need
- Broom
- Garden hose
- Spray nozzle
- Pressure washer (optional)
- Bucket
- White vinegar
- Stiff-bristled brush
- Tri-sodium phosphate
- Gloves
- Eye protection
References
- Finished Concrete, Inc.: Proper Care & Maintenance of Decorative Concrete
- Concrete Network: Removing Fertilizer Stains on Concrete
- Exposed Aggregate Concrete: Stain Removal Guide
- Concrete Network: Plain Concrete Maintenance (With Broomed or Textured Finish)
- Michigan State University Extension: Homemade Cleaners
Writer Bio
Jill Kokemuller has been writing since 2010, with work published in the "Daily Gate City." She spent six years working in a private boarding school, where her focus was English, algebra and geometry. Kokemuller is an authorized substitute teacher and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Iowa.
Photo Credits
- Creatas Images/Creatas/Getty Images
- Creatas Images/Creatas/Getty Images
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