A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2005 Patio Paving Slabs

I have recently laid a new patio, which got covered in leaves and rose petals during a recent thunder storm. On leaving them till dry before sweeping up, I now find that they have stained the slabs.

Does anyone know of a method to remove this staining.

Many thanks

Carole, you can get an acid based stain remover for patios at your local hardware store. You just pour on and scrub, it's like a detergent. I had the same problem so I painted my concrete this year with concrete paint.

I use muriatic acid, you know, the one that is used for swimming pools. I use it diluted [1 part water + 1 part muriatic acid]. Note: when diluting [muriatic] acid pour the acid slowly into the water.

I pour the solution to the stained concrete, scrub it or let it sit for 20 minutes or so, then clean with water using garden hose or pressure washer.

Thank you both for your suggestions, but would the acids not kill the plants surrounding the patio when you rinse it off?

Carole

Hi Carole! Welcome to the forum
You'd be surprised what vinegar and water will do for cleaning up outside! I washed the (white aluminum) siding on my house with a bucket of 1 part vinegar to about 5 parts water and a broom! It worked wonders completely removing the yucky looking mildew. I'd suggest trying that before using chemicals that can harm your soil, plants and the environment overall! Let us know how it turns out!

Hi Carole,
We poured a new patio this year and it has a low spot where they didn't get it quite level. It's not visable to the naked eye but when it rains, I have a puddle It always leaves it discolored because of the pecan tree leaves and shells. I use a vinegar and water solution too and it does wonders!