How to Remove Cement Stains

Cement can land anywhere – on your walkway, on tiles and even on your car. This is likely to be the case when you are getting your house renovated.  The laborers may make a perfect new structure, but at the same time they may also create a mess on the paver, tiles and the car. This article teaches you about what to do when you are faced with cement stains in your house. Remember to always check the cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area for any discoloration that it might cause to the object. Also, when working with acids, use protective glasses, gloves and a mask. Take all necessary precautions.You can adopt any one of the following methods depending upon the effected

Remove Cement Stains from Pavers

If a thick white later has appeared on your colored paver, do not fret; follow the outlined steps and get rid of the cement stains easily.

Things that you will require:

·      Wire brush

·      Hammer or chisel

·      Phosphoric-acid based cleaner

·      Garden lime/ Baking soda / Ammonia

·      Muriatic acid

·      Water

·      Trisodium phosphate

·      Sealer

Steps that you will need to take:

1.   The first step requires you to get the excess cement off from the paver. To do so, brush away the area where cement has been spilled. You will notice that a lot of it did not actually set in the stone.

2.   It is possible that the cement might just come off by tapping it. Grab a hammer or a chisel, and tap the centre of the cement with it. If you are lucky, this will work, and the cement will break into two parts.

3.   To remove cement stains from a paver, you require a phosphoric-acid based cleaner. Apply it in the amount and way specified on the box of the cleaner. If needed, neutralize the acid with garden lime, baking soda or ammonia.

4.   Brush the affected area, and the stain will easily come off. If needed, repeat the above step.

5.   Stubborn stains may not come off by simply a phosphoric-acid based cleaner. In such cases, resort to muriatic acid. Dilute it with water as it may otherwise damage the paver adversely. Follow the instructions on the box of the muriatic acid for instructions regarding the ratio of acid to water, and for the duration of application.

6.   Leave the muriatic acid in place till it dries off. After that follow the following steps.

7.   Remember, when an acid is applied, it needs to be neutralized. Read the instructions on the box to do so.

8.   Rinse the paver generously with water.

9.   You may also want to wash the paver with trisodium phosphate. This will result in consistency of the color of the stone.

10.   Wash the surface thoroughly again with water.

11.   Let the surface dry. If a sealer was present on the paver, apply it again.

Remove Cement Stains from Tiles

Any kind of small construction inside your house can lead to cement stains being left on the tiles. To get rid of the mess that the workers created, read below.

Things that you will require:

·      Vinegar

·      Sponge / Absorbent pad

·      Brush / Scotch Brite pad / Scouring pad

·      Water

·      Soap

·      Phosphoric acid

Steps that you will need to take:

1.   Firstly, pour a small amount of vinegar on to a sponge or an absorbent pad, and apply a generous amount to the area.

2.   Leave the vinegar on the cement for at least an hour or two.

3.   Keep checking that the area remains moist. Apply more vinegar if needed.

4.   After an hour or two, the cement will start to loosen, depending on how long it has had to set in. Scrub the stain well with one of the following: a brush, Scotch Brite pad or a scouring pad. Be careful to not damage the stone while scrubbing.

5.   Repeat the above steps if the stain still remains.

6.   Rinse the area well with plain water and clean it with soap.

7.   If the stain is large and stubborn, you may need to use phosphoric acid. Before that, get rid of the excess cement on the tiles using a screwdriver or a metal scraper.

8.   Read the instructions on the box of the phosphoric acid, and follow them to remove the cement stain from the tiles.

9.   Once you have done so, wash the area well with soap and water.

Remove Cement Stains from Car

If you parked near a construction site, and got cement on your car, it is likely to leave behind a stain. To clean it, you can do the following:

Things that you will require:

·      Vinegar

·      Water

·      Spray bottle

·      Paper towels

Steps that you will need to take:

1.   To start off with the cleaning process, pour some distilled white vinegar into a spray bottle.

2.   Now, apply this vinegar on to the stained areas of the car.

3.   Cover the sprayed area entirely with paper towels.

4.   Spray the paper towels with vinegar as well.

5.   Leave them in place for 25 minutes. The sprayed towels will stick to the cement, and will help it loosen from the surface of the car.

6.   Ensure that the paper towels remain moist. Apply more vinegar on them if required.

7.   After 25 minutes, take off the paper towels. The cement will come off with it.

8.   Repeat the above steps if necessary.