Removing Wood Stain from Concrete

Written by Lee Wyatt (last updated January 17, 2022)

I'm not afraid to say it: I love to putter around my home. Over the years, I have noticed that one project that seems to come up more often than any other is to stain some wood. It could be the steps to the front door one month, the back deck the next, or even the kitchen table some other day. No matter how careful I have tried to be, I always seem to drip some wood stain somewhere on the concrete in my garage or driveway. There was even one time that I spilled an entire can of wood stain all over the sidewalk.

Below are some of the methods that I have tried or learned about over the years. While these methods may work, caution needs to be exercised when using any of them. Each of these methods will require either the use of some slightly toxic materials or heavy equipment. Be sure that you follow the manufacturers' directions closely and that you use proper safety precautions.

  • Muriatic acid. Also known as hydrochloric acid, muriatic acid is an extremely corrosive material. Begin washing the wood stain from the concrete by mixing one part acid to twenty parts of water. Wash as you normally would, being sure that you are wearing rubber gloves while handling the mixture. If the stain doesn't go away with the initial wash, try increasing the strength of the mixture in small increments. An example of this would be to use two parts acid to 19 parts water, and so on until you find a mixture that works. After you have removed the stain there is going to be a powdery residue left simply rinse it away. Please note that you may need to seal the concrete again to prevent further stains.
  • Sandblast. Sandblasting your stained driveway may seem a little drastic, but sometimes it can be the easiest way to remove a dried stain from concrete. Most local home improvement stores have sandblasters available to rent at reasonable rates. If using a sandblaster, make sure that you follow the instructions carefully. Cleanup after use is a fairly simple matter since all you need to do is either sweep up the sand (there can be lots of sand) or wash it away.
  • Bleach. Bleach may be one of the most common household cleaners around, but you this type of bleach is not going to be the same. Purchase a special kind of bleach called oxalic acid. This is usually sold as a crystal powder, and is listed as a wood-bleaching agent. When you are using this type of bleach, you need to take some basic precautions like rubber gloves, eye protection, and a long-handled nylon scrub brush. Since this is a fairly toxic material, make sure that you follow the manufacturer's mixing instructions while also using it in a well-ventilated area. After placing the mixed bleach onto the stain, allow it to sit for roughly fifteen minutes and then rinse the area thoroughly.

Author Bio

Lee Wyatt

Contributor of numerous Tips.Net articles, Lee Wyatt is quickly becoming a regular "Jack of all trades." He is currently an independent contractor specializing in writing and editing. Contact him today for all of your writing and editing needs! Click here to contact. ...

MORE FROM LEE

Removing Food Stains from Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring, while a beautiful addition to the home can be a serious pain in the butt. That being said, they are ...

Discover More

Organizing Your Garden Shed

Whether you are a professional gardener or simply an enthusiastic amateur, if you have a yard then you probably have ...

Discover More

Stretching Your Salary

Whether you are subject to being in a bad economy, have recently been faced with a pay reduction, or simply are starting ...

Discover More

The Power of Microfiber! Zwipes Microfiber Cleaning Cloths will become your favorite tool for every cleaning task. This 36-cloth package is perfect for hundreds of uses in the garage, kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and all around the house. Each cloth is tough, streak-free, lint-free, reusable, and washable. Check out Microfiber Cleaning Cloths today!

More Cleaning Tips

Removing Adhesive Stains from Concrete

Removing glue and adhesive stains from concrete is one of the most frustrating tasks in remodeling a porch or floor. ...

Discover More

Removing Rust Stains from Driveways

When removing rust stain from your driveway you want to start with the mild cleaners and if they do not work move on to ...

Discover More

Cleaning Concrete

Cleaning concrete is actually something that is easier to do than what many people believe. Whether you need to clean a ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is seven more than 5?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.