Outdoor spaces may not be the best places to hang out if they are dirty, grimy, or even greasy from cooking. In fact, there are many ways that the ugly stains on your concrete surfaces could have happened by chance.

However, don’t think that you have to deal with ugly concrete. You can get that patio ready for the fun days ahead in a lot of different ways.

Have you ever tried making your cleaner for concrete? It might look harder than it is to mix the ingredients to make a good DIY concrete cleaner, but it’s not.

It’s time to mix the solution of your choice to apply to the dirty or stained parts of your concrete surface.

Even with a gentle cleaner, it’s a good idea to wear safety eyewear, gloves, and clothes you don’t mind getting soiled.

We’ll show you how to use baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, laundry soap, white vinegar, and warm water to make the best homemade concrete cleaner. And the best part is that you won’t have to work too hard to get those tough spots out.

Why Concrete Gets So Dirty (and Why It’s Tough to Clean)

Concrete looks solid, but it’s actually porous, like a giant sponge in disguise. Every little pore traps dirt, grease, algae, or whatever blows across your yard.

Rain doesn’t really wash it away. Instead, moisture makes things worse by encouraging mildew and moss to settle in.

Common culprits?

• BBQ grease dripping under the grill.
• Leaves that sit too long leave brown stains.
• Mold and algae where shade keeps things damp.
• Pet messes that seep in before you can rinse them away.

And while sweeping or hosing down helps with surface dirt, it doesn’t reach into those tiny pores.

That’s why the patio can still look dingy even after a rinse. But once you understand how stains cling, the methods to get rid of them start to make a lot more sense.

The Miracle DIY Patio Cleaner (Vinegar + Baking Soda)

This is the one people call “miracle mix” for a reason; it’s simple, cheap, and surprisingly effective for general grime and light stains.

Vinegar dissolves minerals and mildew, while baking soda scrubs gently and adds a fizzing action that lifts dirt.

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup white vinegar
• ½ cup baking soda
• 1 gallon warm water
• Large bucket
• Stiff-bristle brush

How to use it:

1. Mix the warm water and vinegar in your bucket.
2. Sprinkle baking soda directly on stained areas.
3. Pour the vinegar solution over the baking soda and watch it fizz.
4. Scrub with your brush, working the mixture into the concrete pores.
5. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse with a hose.

Why it works: The fizzing reaction helps loosen grime while vinegar breaks down organic stains. It’s eco-friendly too, so you don’t have to worry about damaging plants along the patio.

Amazon helpers:

• Heinz Cleaning Vinegar (stronger than kitchen vinegar).
• Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda (bulk bag is perfect for patio cleaning).
• Heavy-Duty Outdoor Scrub Brush (long handle saves your back).

Method 2: Power Washing — The Heavy Lifter

Sometimes scrubbing with a brush just isn’t enough. This is where power washing (also called pressure washing) comes in.

Think of it as hitting the reset button on your patio surface.

A concentrated stream of water, delivered at high pressure, can blast dirt, mildew, and stains out of the pores of concrete that no scrub brush could ever reach.

How it works: A pressure washer delivers water at anywhere from 1,500 to 3,000 PSI (pounds per square inch).

That kind of force is strong enough to strip off years of grime, algae, and stains, leaving the surface looking fresh.

Steps:

1. Clear the patio of furniture, plants, and anything you don’t want soaked.
2. Sweep away loose dirt first, no need to grind debris into the concrete.
3. Attach a wide-angle nozzle (25° or 40° tip) to your washer. This spreads the water and avoids damaging the concrete.
4. Start at one corner and work in overlapping rows. Keep the nozzle about a foot away from the surface.
5. For really stubborn areas, move a little closer, but never so close that the water etches the concrete.

Pro tip: If you’ve never used one before, practice on a small hidden section first. It’s powerful; you don’t want to carve lines into the patio.

Amazon helpers:

• Sun Joe Electric Pressure Washer – affordable, compact, and perfect for patios.
• Twinkle Star Pressure Washer Extension Wand – lets you reach edges and corners easily.

Method 3: Oxygen Bleach Solution (Safer than Chlorine)

Bleach has a reputation for brightening concrete, but chlorine bleach can damage surrounding grass, discolor plants, and release harsh fumes.

Oxygen bleach, on the other hand, is much gentler, and still powerful enough to kill mold and mildew while lifting organic stains.

What you’ll need:

• 2 scoops oxygen bleach powder (like OxiClean)
• 1 gallon of warm water
• Bucket
• Stiff-bristle brush

How to use it:

1. Dissolve the oxygen bleach powder in warm water.
2. Pour solution directly over stained areas.
3. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes to penetrate.
4. Scrub thoroughly with your brush.
5. Rinse with a hose.

Why it works: Oxygen bleach releases oxygen when mixed with water, which breaks down stains and kills mildew without damaging the concrete or plants nearby.

Amazon helpers:

• OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover – reliable and affordable.
• Quickie Professional Stiff Push Broom – makes scrubbing a whole patio much faster.

Method 4: Dish Soap + Warm Water for Grease Spots

Not every stain requires heavy-duty cleaners. If you’re just dealing with greasy BBQ drips or an accidental oil spill, dish soap is your best friend.

It’s designed to cut through fats and oils, making it perfect for greasy concrete.

Steps:

1. Mix a few squirts of dish soap into a bucket of warm water.
2. Pour directly over the greasy stain.
3. Scrub with a stiff brush until the grease lifts.
4. Rinse with a hose and repeat if needed.

Pro tip: For fresh grease spills, sprinkle cat litter or cornstarch on the spot first to absorb excess oil. Then sweep it up and follow with dish soap.

Amazon helpers:

• Dawn Platinum Powerwash Spray – great for targeted grease cutting.
• Dr. Elsey’s Premium Cat Litter – works surprisingly well as an oil absorbent.

Method 5: Commercial Cleaners for Concrete Patios

Sometimes DIY solutions aren’t enough, especially if you’re tackling years of built-up stains. That’s when commercial cleaners step in.

These are specifically formulated for concrete and can cut through grease, grime, algae, and even rust.

Two strong options worth considering:

• Simple Green Oxy Solve Concrete & Driveway Cleaner – non-toxic and eco-friendly, safe around plants and pets. Works well with pressure washers.
• Zep Driveway and Concrete Pressure Wash Cleaner – a stronger formula that’s great for tough oil stains and old buildup.

How to use (general):

1. Dilute according to label instructions.
2. Apply evenly over concrete with a sprayer or watering can.
3. Scrub or pressure wash as directed.
4. Rinse thoroughly with a hose.

Safety tip: Always wear gloves and keep kids and pets away until the patio is fully rinsed and dry.

DIY Hacks People Swear By

Sometimes the strangest tricks work wonders. Here are a few “backyard legend” hacks that actually do the job:

• Cola for Rust Stains – The phosphoric acid in cola can dissolve rust. Pour it on the stain, let it sit 10 minutes, scrub, then rinse.
• Cat Litter for Oil – Spread over fresh spills, let it sit overnight, then sweep away. It absorbs oil before it sets in.
• Hydrogen Peroxide for Mildew – Pour directly onto dark patches, let bubble for a few minutes, then scrub and rinse. Safer than chlorine bleach and effective on organic stains.

Preventing Future Patio Stains

Cleaning is great, but prevention is smarter. Once you’ve put in the work to get your patio spotless, a little upkeep goes a long way.

• Seal your concrete. A good sealer creates a barrier against water, oil, and stains. Reapply every year or two. Try Foundation Armor AR350 Wet Look Sealer if you want a slightly glossy finish that really makes your patio pop.
• Sweep regularly. Leaves and debris can leave marks if they sit too long.
• Use mats under grills. A simple outdoor grill mat catches grease before it hits the patio.
• Move planters occasionally. This avoids dark, damp rings from pots.
• Keep it dry. If your patio stays shaded and damp, mildew will return. Use a blower or squeegee to help it dry faster.

When It’s Time to Call the Pros

If you’ve tried everything and the patio still looks patchy, it might be more than stains.

Deep-set mold, oil saturation, or even structural issues may require a professional cleaning service, or in extreme cases, resurfacing.

It’s not always necessary, but sometimes hiring out saves frustration.

The Payoff: A Patio You’re Proud To Show Off

A clean patio changes the whole vibe of your backyard. Suddenly, the space feels brighter, fresher, and more inviting.

Whether you go for the DIY miracle mix, fire up a pressure washer, or seal the concrete for long-term protection, you’ll notice the difference right away.

And honestly? There’s something deeply satisfying about watching stains disappear and revealing smooth, clean concrete underneath. It’s like giving your outdoor space a fresh start.

So grab your vinegar, your brush, maybe a power washer if you’re feeling bold, and get your patio back to the kind of space you actually want to spend time in.

Summer evenings, family BBQs, or just a quiet cup of coffee outdoors all feel better when you’re standing on clean, cared-for concrete.

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