Almost everyone takes their houseplants outside late in the spring or early summer. They are left outdoors until the weather turns cold. Their bottom saucers are removed to allow the water to drain away to keep down mosquito population from hatching. You spray or hose the plants off to remove dust, dirt and pests.
Unless you have a lot of time, it is always better to dry the area under the pots right after the water is done draining through the soil, but few people, including me, have that much time. At the end of the season, when you move the pots, you may find water stains on your concrete floor. A power washer will reduce the clean-up time needed to remove the stains, but many people do not have one of those. Instead, you can wash away those stains using a supplies found right in your kitchen. Not only will you save money, but it will be more earth friendly.
Scrub the Stains Away
After you remove the pots, wash the area with water and a scrub brush. Sometimes a little elbow grease is all you need to wash the hard water stains away. If you still can’t remove the stain to your satisfaction, proceed to the next section.
Use Liquid Dish Soap
Pour some liquid dish soap on the stain or dampen the stain and sprinkle dry detergent over the wet area. Leave the soap to sit undisturbed for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, put a kettle on the stove and bring a pot of water to a boil. Dip a hard bristled brush into the hot water and attack the stain. Be careful so you don’t burn yourself with the hot water. This step may have to be repeated several times to remove stubborn stains. If you still have a stain on your concrete, proceed to the next section. Please note that for the following sections, do not allow the cleaning mixture to come in contact with plants, weeds, grass or any growing vegetation.
Pour on the Vinegar
Pour straight vinegar onto the stain and leave it to penetrate the area for an hour or two. You do not want the sun to dry the vinegar out, so continue to add more vinegar over the stain as needed. Do not allow the vinegar to run off the concrete, if you have vegetation growing because vinegar kills plants, weeds and grass. Scrub the stain with a brush to remove it. You may have to repeat this step several times. If your stain still won’t leave, proceed to the next section.
Use Oxygenated Bleach and Hot Water
Mix oxygenated bleach and hot water together in a bucket. The proportions are one part water to two parts bleach. Pour this solution over the stain and allow it to penetrate the stain for five to ten minutes. Take a stiff bristle brush and dip it into a bucket of hot water. Scrub the area and repeat the procedure if necessary. If you still are left with water stains, there is another solution to use. This one is more toxic to the land so use with caution.
Use Trisodium Phosphate and Water
Mix 1 cup trisodium phosphate with 1 gallon water. Use 1-gallon of water to 1 cup of trisodium phosphate. Pour the solution over the stain, allowing it to stay undisturbed for 15 to 20 minutes. Dip a stiff bristle brush into a bucket of hot water and scrub the stain. You may have to repeat this step several times before the stain is gone.
Warnings
If using bleach or trisodium phosphate, keep kids and pets away from the area. Use rubber gloves when scrubbing the stains to protect your hands.
This should remove the water stains or make them less noticeable. If they still bother you, then you may have to hire a professional cleaner to do the job for you. You can discuss the problem with them for additional suggestions on using a more powerful cleaner to do the job.
Resources:
Service Magic: The Pains of Hard Water Stains
Housekeeping Channel: Removing Stains from Stone, Tile and Concrete
Do It Yourself: Concrete Stain Remover