First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Erase the loose marks first with a soft eraser, such as an art gum eraser.
- Blot and tamp the mark to lift it off the surface.
- Test any solvent on a hidden patch before using it.
Pencil on concrete is graphite rubbed onto the surface, and plain water won't loosen it. Concrete is porous, so the longer the mark sits, the deeper it sinks and the more work it takes to lift. A fresh mark often comes up within a few rounds, while an old one may only lighten, and a test on a hidden patch tells you whether the surface can handle the solvent.
Act fast on red chalk or sidewalk chalk on concrete, since the porous surface gives the color more time to sink in. Once the test patch comes through clean, a washing soda solution is the step to reach for on chalk on concrete. Let the spot dry fully before you decide whether a shadow is still there, since damp concrete can hide it.
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
6 items
What you'll need
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- Soft eraser (art gum)Lifts the loose particles without grinding them in.
- Solvent spot cleaner or pre-wash stain removerLoosens the marks that the eraser leaves behind. (opens Amazon)
- Washing (sal) SodaThe base for the wash that follows the solvent.
- Soft-bristled brushScrubs the wet patch without damaging the surface. (opens Amazon)
- Clean cloths and clear waterFor blotting, rinsing and checking the result.
- Art gum eraser (opens Amazon)
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6 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 6
Erase the loose marks
Start with the mark dry. Work an art gum eraser over the pencil or charcoal, turning it to a clean side as it picks up color. Stop when it no longer lifts graphite off the surface.
Step 2 of 6
Pretest and apply the solvent
Dab a solvent spot cleaner or pre-wash stain remover onto a hidden patch first, and watch that spot before going further. If the patch holds, apply the product to the mark and let it sit briefly without spreading it outward.
Careful. Solvents can ignite near flames, pilot lights or sparks. Work in a ventilated room and don't smoke.
Step 3 of 6
Blot and tamp the mark
Press a clean cloth onto the mark and tamp it, so the loosened graphite and solvent soak into the cloth. Switch to a clean section as it picks up color, and keep going until the cloth comes away clean.
Careful. Do not rub or brush the mark.
Step 4 of 6
Wash with washing soda
Make a solution of Washing (sal) Soda and water and wash the whole stained patch with it. Work the solution across the area rather than dabbing one spot, so the mark doesn't dry before you move on.
Step 5 of 6
Scrub with a soft brush
Scrub the wet patch with a soft-bristled brush in short, firm strokes. Keep at it until the gray film loosens from the concrete.
Tip. Keep the wash on the patch you're working so it doesn't run into clean concrete.
Step 6 of 6
Rinse and let it dry
Rinse thoroughly with clear water until the runoff looks clear. Then let the concrete dry completely and check the spot in daylight before deciding whether another round is needed.
Careful. Rinse before any other product touches the area.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for pencil on concrete, brick & driveways
Choose a solvent spot cleaner or pre-wash stain remover and pretest it before using it on the mark. Stain-specific products are a better bet than homemade mixes.
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.
If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
Look at the spot after each scrub, and expect it to lose some gray with every round. Wait until it's fully dry before you decide it's finished, because damp concrete can hide what's left. If the spot looks unchanged after two full rounds, treat it as a set-in mark and head to the [dried-in marks](#dried) notes.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your concrete, brick & driveways
Sealed concrete
Sealed concrete keeps the mark on the top layer, so the eraser and blotting do most of the work. Use the lightest wash you can, and pretest the solvent on a hidden spot first.
If the mark won't lift after the wash, repeat the eraser step before trying anything stronger.
Rough or porous concrete
Pencil settles into the pores of rough concrete, so loose particles can hide below the surface. Expect to erase and blot more than once, and keep the brush soft so you don't open the surface further.
Work in small sections so the wash doesn't dry on the concrete before you rinse it.
Exposed aggregate
The stones and the cement around them hold marks differently, so the brush spends more time on the cement between them. Use only a soft-bristled brush and scrub gently around the stones.
Rinse the whole area so no soda is left in the crevices.
Painted or stained concrete
A painted or stained floor can react to a solvent, so pretest it on a hidden spot before anything touches the mark. Erase and blot first, and keep the washing soda wash brief.
If the color shows any change, stop and rinse at once, then try the fuller treatment described below only if the mark still shows.
Garage floor
Garage floors pick up pencil from benches, tools and boots, so the marks are often spread out. Erase the loose marks across the floor, then work the soda wash in patches rather than all at once.
Rinse each patch as you go so the solution doesn't sit on a large section while you finish another.
Sidewalk and driveway chalk
Sidewalk chalk is mostly loose color on the surface, so the eraser and blotting come first, the same as with pencil. Pretest the solvent and wash only after the loose color is gone.
Outdoor concrete can hold a faint tint after the wash, so look at the patch in daylight before deciding on another round.
Old, dried or set-in stains
Old marks that have sat on the concrete need more than one pass. Repeat the eraser, solvent and blotting steps, then wash again with Washing (sal) Soda and water. If the mark still shows, use the fuller sequence: a solvent flush, mineral oil or dry-spotter lubrication, a 30-minute dry-spotter pad, then detergent with a few drops of ammonia.
A deep, localized mark can take a poultice: talc, whiting, fuller's earth, diatomaceous earth or clay mixed with the right solvent, spread at least 1/8 inch thick. Cover it with plastic for 24 hours, let it dry, then scrape or brush it off and repeat as needed.
Stain-specific products work better than homemade mixes, so reach for one before mixing your own. Marks that have built up over a long time need stronger methods and carry more risk of damage to the concrete, so go slowly and test each step on a hidden patch.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on pencil on concrete, brick & driveways?
Plenty of household remedies get suggested for pencil, but most were written for fabric or stone. On concrete, an eraser, a pretested solvent and washing soda do the work, so the other remedies aren't needed.
Skip6
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't scrub with plain water first
Pencil and charcoal don't dissolve in water, so a wet scrub alone won't lift them. Erase and blot the loose marks dry, then move to the washing soda wash.
Don't mix ammonia with bleach
Ammonia and chlorine bleach create a toxic, lethal gas. Never follow an ammonia step with bleach, and keep the two products apart.
Don't use gasoline or lighter fluid
Gasoline, lighter fluid and carbon tetrachloride are not solvents to use on this mark. Stick with a solvent spot cleaner or pre-wash stain remover, and test it first.
Don't skip the test patch
A solvent that behaves well on one stretch of concrete can look different on another, so try it on a hidden corner first. Let the patch dry before you judge it, then work over the full mark only if it came through clean.
Don't rub the pencil deeper
Rubbing pushes the graphite further into the rough surface, where it's harder to lift. Blot and tamp with a cloth, and save the soft brush for after the mark has loosened.
Don't stack cleaners without a rinse
Soda, solvent and peroxide left on the surface can interfere with the next product you add. Rinse thoroughly between each cleaner so each one works on the mark alone.
When to call a professional
If the concrete has a water repellent or an unknown coating, have a professional test it before anything else touches the mark. For historic stone or a surface you can't identify, a restoration specialist is the safer call, and a testing lab can name an unknown stain. When you call, say it's pencil and list the soda, solvent and rinse you've already tried.
Questions
Will chalk leave a permanent mark?
Usually not on its own. Chalk can leave colored marks on concrete, mostly as loose dust that settles into rough areas. Start with the soft eraser and blotting, then pretest any solvent before you wash.
What to do about red chalk?
Red chalk can leave a colored mark, and it's handled the same way as other chalk. Erase and blot first, then wash with Washing (sal) Soda and water after a hidden-patch test.
Can sidewalk chalk be washed off a driveway?
Sidewalk chalk leaves loose color on the surface, which the eraser and blotting lift first. Follow with the washing soda wash only if a faint color stays.
Can a soft eraser remove pencil from concrete?
Yes, for the loose particles on top. Marks that have sunk into the surface need the solvent and wash steps as well.
Can I use washing soda on concrete?
Yes, Washing (sal) Soda and water is the wash in this method. Scrub with a soft-bristled brush, then rinse thoroughly and let it dry.
What if the mark is still there after one try?
Repeat the eraser, blotting and wash steps before trying anything stronger. If it still shows, move to the fuller treatment described below.
Can I pressure wash the pencil off my driveway?
Only gently. Stay at or under 400 psi, use a wide fan nozzle, and keep the wand at least a foot from the concrete, because higher pressure erodes the surface and the mortar lines. For a pencil mark, a soft brush and a rinse usually do more than a washer does.
Why does the concrete need to be wet before I apply the soda?
Dry concrete absorbs the solution and the loosened dirt along with it, so the mess ends up deeper rather than lifting off. Wet the area first and keep it damp until the rinse, and the wash stays where you can reach it to rinse.
Should I use bleach on this mark?
No. Bleach is meant for moss, algae and similar growth, so it has no job on pencil. Keep it well away from ammonia, since the combination gives off a poisonous gas.
Pencil 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.