Removing grease stain on concrete patio? UPDATE!

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Our new (to us) home has a lovely back patio. Unfortunately the previous owners had a BBQ grill sitting on one portion, and there are several grease stains that have likely been there for YEARS. It actually looked like grease and meat juices that were crusted on.

I spread some full strength Dawn detergent, let is sit for about 8 hours, and then used a very powerful power washer to clean it off. This is as clean as I could get it, even with repeated washing with the power washer wand--very small stream, very close to the concrete:

Anyone have a magic formual for getting stains out of concrete? I think muriatic acid would be my last resort, but would like to try something less drastic first.

Featured Answer

carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10

4 years ago

You might try Spic & Span - or even dishwasher detergent (it contains bleach) - & a scrub brush. Just be careful of any plants nearby.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

User
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Not sure if it will work for you...but....soda pop/Mountain Dew for instance will leach color out of concrete. So if the grease has stained the concrete, you need to leach the color out.
tvq1 thanked User
rob333 (zone 7b)
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
nicole, I saw Tarek el Moussa do that on his flipping show. And it worked? He got the idea from his mom. Makes you wonder how much that stuff corrodes your teeth and stomach!

the whole how to
tvq1 thanked rob333 (zone 7b)
Related Professionals
Webster Home Stagers · Grand Junction Home Stagers · Corpus Christi Custom Closet Designers · McAllen Custom Closet Designers · Billings Custom Closet Designers · Shreveport Interior Designers & Decorators · Hagerstown Interior Designers & Decorators · Liberal Interior Designers & Decorators · Ottawa Interior Designers & Decorators · Jonesboro Home Builders · Coldwater Home Builders · Mount Vernon Home Additions · Emporia Home Additions · DeRidder Home Additions · Glenwood Springs Home Additions
User
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
@rob333 (zone 7b)....we poured a 213' long colored concrete driveway. Borrowed a retired guys forms, we made the rebar mats, hired 3 guys to help pour for FOUR DAYS STRAIGHT. I put a cooler out...with soda and water. The retired guy accidently knocked over his Mountain Dew and it leached the color out of ALL the concrete it touched.....he did it twice! I had to stain the concrete topically when it dried to cover up the mistake! He still charged me full price AND for lunch breaks and commute time! I was Pi$$ed off! 😡
tvq1 thanked User
tvq1
Original Author
4 years ago
Well--guess I'll buy some Mountain Dew and a big box of baking soda today! I'll report back tomorrow to let you all know how it goes!

(And I won't even be tempted to drink any Mt. Dew! That stuff is VILE.)
User
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
FYI I use baking soda on super glue to make it stronger. Must help soda pop too. Also....Home Depot sells a concrete cleaner/degreaser, comes in a bottle. It works! I use a push broom when working it into the concrete.
tvq1 thanked User
tvq1
Original Author
4 years ago
The results: Much better! I left a paste of Mt Dew and baking soda for about an hour, then scrubbed well with a stiff brush. Rinsed the patio off and let it dry--the stains are much better but not totally gone. I plan on using more Mt. Dew this afternoon, letting it sit for longer.

BEFORE: (and this was after much scrubbing with Dawn and power washing!)

AFTER:

Thank you all for the great advice!! Even if it doesnt get any better than this, I can live with it, as there will be several flower pots in this area of the patio.
Eileen
4 years ago
I once had some tar-like grease on my car near a tire and Simple Green removed it.

In the reviews, someone said he uses it to clean his garage floor and patio and it removes stains.

https://simplegreen.com/products/all-purpose-cleaner/
tvq1 thanked Eileen