Prep first
Before you start
- Act soon, because the longer a stain sits, the harder it is to clean.
- Keep heat away from the stain, since heat can set it.
- Pretest any cleaner on a hidden spot first.
Grass and leaf stains on concrete leave a green that comes from chlorophyll, and it can sink into a porous surface if it sits for long. Marks caught early come up with washing soda or detergent and a gentle scrub, while older ones often just lighten over repeat rounds. Because concrete soaks up liquid, wetting the area before you clean is what keeps the cleaner where you want it.
Tannin stains on concrete usually need a second round rather than a harder scrub. If a leaf stain on a concrete driveway holds on, repeat the washing soda round with a fresh batch of solution. Keep runoff away from nearby plants and grass while you work.
Before you start
What concrete, brick & driveways can take
Safe to use3
- Water
- Hot water
- Soaking
Use with care5
- Chlorine bleach
- Oxygen bleach
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
4 items
What you'll need
Tap an item to get it on Amazon, or tick what you already have.
- Washing (sal) soda or detergentThe cleaner for the solution. Use it in place of soap.
- Soft cloth or soft-bristled brushScrubs gently, which keeps the concrete surface intact. (opens Amazon)
- Clear waterWets the concrete before cleaning and rinses it afterward.
- Talc, whiting, fuller's earth or diatomaceous earthThe base for a poultice if the stain has set. (opens Amazon)
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6 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 6
Brush off the loose debris
Sweep or brush away loose grass, leaves and clippings before you wet anything. Keep the concrete dry for this part so the debris doesn't smear across the stain.
Step 2 of 6
Wet the stained area
Saturate the stained area with water before any cleaning solution goes on. Keep the concrete wet while you work, so the surface stays ready for the cleaner.
Step 3 of 6
Mix the cleaning solution
Mix washing (sal) soda or a detergent with water to make your cleaning solution. Use the soda or detergent alone, and have the mix ready before you start scrubbing.
Careful. Natural soap makes tannin stains harder to remove, so keep it out of the mix.
Step 4 of 6
Scrub the stain gently
Work the solution into the stain with a cloth or soft-bristled brush. Scrub gently in small circles from the edge toward the center, and keep the area wet as you go.
Step 5 of 6
Rinse the area clean
Rinse thoroughly with clear water until no cleaner or foam is left on the concrete. Keep the rinse moving so the water carries the loosened residue off the surface.
Step 6 of 6
Let the concrete dry
Let the concrete dry all the way, then check the stain in daylight. If a shadow remains, the poultice described below is the next step.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for grass on concrete, brick & driveways
A proprietary stain-specific cleaner is preferred over a homemade mix, so start there if the washing soda solution falls short. Choose a bleach-free product if you want to avoid chlorine on the concrete.
Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on concrete, brick & driveways, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
Heavy buildup usually takes more than one round.
Heavy or long-standing buildup →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
Expect the marks to look a shade lighter after each scrub, with the rinse water running clearer. Wait until the slab is fully dry before you judge it, since damp concrete always looks darker than it will. If the mark hasn't changed after two scrubs, it's probably set in, so head to the old-stain section.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your concrete, brick & driveways
Driveways and patios
Driveways and patios are large flat areas, so work in sections and wet each one before you scrub it. Rinse each section before the solution has time to dry out in the sun.
On a sloped driveway, scrub from the high side down so the rinse water carries the loosened debris away from the stain. Work across the stain rather than back and forth, so no cleaner pools in one spot.
New concrete
Since you can't be sure how new concrete will react to a cleaner, don't go stronger than the steps above. Use the same wet, scrub and rinse order, and keep the scrubbing light.
If the stain looks unchanged after drying, make a second pass with the same light scrubbing. Pressing harder on fresh concrete risks marking the surface, so let the cleaner do the work.
Concrete pavers
Pavers have joints between the units, and harsh scrubbing or acid can damage the joints. Keep the brush light and make sure the solution doesn't settle into the joints.
Don't use an acid-based haze cleaner on clay pavers, since acid can cause further stains. Rinse the joints as well as the paver faces, and let them dry before judging the stain.
Maple and other leaves
Maple and other leaves leave tannin stains, so the same steps work for them. Clear away any leaf pieces before you wet the concrete, so the solution reaches the stain itself.
Wet or dark maple stains may need a second pass after the first rinse dries. Keep the scrubbing gentle on each pass and check the result in daylight.
Heavy or long-standing buildup
Older stains that have set into the concrete need more than the basic steps. Start with a poultice of talc, whiting, fuller's earth, diatomaceous earth or clay mixed with the right solvent, spread at least 1/8 inch thick over the stain.
Cover the poultice with plastic and leave it for 24 hours. Let it dry, then scrape or brush it off, and repeat as needed.
Use a proprietary stain-specific cleaner for stubborn spots, since those are preferred over homemade mixes. Older stains need stronger methods, which carry more risk of damage, so stop if the concrete starts to change. Some marks may fade without disappearing, and that is a realistic result.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on grass on concrete, brick & driveways?
Most household products tried on grass are weak on concrete, so washing soda or detergent is the better bet. Here is how each one fares on concrete, with the reasons the weak ones stay out.
Skip6
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't mix bleach with ammonia
Chlorine bleach mixed with ammonia gives off a toxic gas, and the same goes for bleach mixed with vinegar or alcohol. If you've used one product and want to try another, never combine them in the same spot.
Don't skip the rinse between products
Flush each agent out with clear water before you use the next one, even if the first seemed to do little. Leftover product in the concrete can react with the next product you add.
Don't put soap in the solution
Soap leaves a film that holds dirt and can make the surface look hazy after rinsing. Washing soda or a plain detergent does the job without that residue.
Don't reach for a metal brush
Metal bristles wear down mortar lines, and tiny bits left behind can rust into new marks on the slab. Go with a non-metal bristle, which is enough to lift the residue from the surface.
Don't blast leaf marks at full power
A high-pressure blast can erode mortar and leave the surface rougher, which holds dirt faster. Keep the pressure low and the tip wide if you use a washer at all.
When to call a professional
Historic stone or brick belongs with a restoration specialist, and so does any surface where a sealer seems to block the cleaner. When the mark is a mystery, a lab can test a small sample, which beats guessing with harsher products. Tell them it's leaves, how long they sat, and what you've already used on it.
Questions
How do I prevent leaf stains on concrete?
Clear fallen leaves off the concrete soon after they land, before they sit wet for long. Keep the area swept, and treat any dark marks as soon as you spot them.
Will leaf stains on concrete go away on their own?
Don't count on it. Leaf stains are hard to remove once they set, so it's better to start the steps early.
Is there a bleach-free product for leaf stains on concrete?
Yes. A stain-specific cleaner made for masonry is preferred over a homemade mix, and you can choose one without bleach. Follow its label and rinse the concrete well afterward.
Can I remove a wet or black leaf stain?
Yes, and the same approach works. Brush off the loose leaves, follow the washing soda scrub and clear-water rinse, and check the stain once the concrete is dry.
Can I pressure wash a leaf stain off my driveway?
Only at low pressure, and a cleaning solution works better than force alone. Keep the tip wide and the nozzle about a foot from the surface, and never pressure wash historic stone.
Why should I wet concrete before cleaning it?
Dry concrete pulls in whatever you apply, cleaner and loosened grime included, so the stain can end up deeper. Wetting the surface first keeps the solution on top, where a thorough rinse can carry it away.
Can I use bleach on concrete at all?
Start with washing soda or detergent rather than bleach, since household bleach is meant for moss, algae and similar growth. Never mix it with ammonia, because the combination gives off a toxic gas.
Grass on other materials
Other stains on concrete, brick & driveways
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.