Learning how to remove cement from clothing can be difficult. But don't worry, I'm here to help you!
Have you been walking near a construction site and got spattered concrete on your clothes? Or have you been doing construction work at home and now your clothes are covered in stains? In any case, you must do something.
In this post, I'll go through 3 step-by-step tutorials on how to tackle concrete stains in 3 different states: dusty, wet, and worst of all, dry. So, without further ado, let's do it!
Table of contents
Ways to remove concrete dust from clothes
Dry concrete powder is actually very easy to work with. All you have to do is remove the cement particles from your clothes and put them in the washing machine. Once the cycle is complete, your clothes come out fresh and clean.
In this section I will introduce 2 methods to remove all particles from your clothes, so try it and choose the one you like the most.
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1.With a clothes brush
Before washing clothes, you need to brush off the concrete particles. So grab a clothes brush and get to work!
Step 1: Brush it
When it comes to dry concrete dust,don't let it get wet. Concrete dust reacts with water and solidifies.(1), which makes it much more difficult to remove.
Use the clothes brush to scrub the stained area. Try to remove as much dust from both sides of the fabric as possible. If you're dealing with delicate fabrics, consider using a garment-friendly stain brush.
Step 2 - Shake Out (or Soak Up)
Take the clothes outside and shake off the excess cement. You may want to close your eyes or wear glasses to prevent dust from getting in your eyes.
Alternatively you can usea vacuum cleaner (with brush attachment)to absorb all particles. A shop vacuum or air compressor will also work.
Step 3: Soak (Optional)
Pour some vinegar and warm water (1:1 ratio) into a container and soak your clothes in the mixture for 1 hour. The vinegar will help clean the fabric and get rid of the cement smell.
Step 4: Wash it off
When all the concrete dust is gone, put your clothes in the washing machine with a little detergent. I recommendwith liquid detergent, but feel free to use something else if you don't have it.
Then select the heavy soil setting and run a cycle. Avoid overloading your machine to ensure the dust is removed.
2.With a lint roller
A lint roller is perfect for removing cement dust from clothing. If you don't have a lint roller, you can make your own by attaching double-sided tape to a spray can.
Step 1: Roll up
Spread out your clothes on a table or on the floor. Then roll the lint roller up and down on the stained area until all dust is removed. As simple as that.
Step 2: Wash it off
Wash your clothes as before, using the heavy soil and heavy duty detergent setting. Then air dry your clothes or use the dryer.
If you need more instructions on how to make a lint roller, this might help!
Watch this video: How to make a lint roller
Tutorial on how to remove wet concrete from clothes
Compared to cement dust, wet concrete stains are a bit more difficult. The trick is to work quickly, as hardened concrete stains are a nightmare. So grab everything you need and get started right away!
1.What you need to get
- Blunt knife
- liquid detergent
- toothbrush
- Fleckenentferner-Spray (optional)
2.What you need to do
Got everything you need? Excellent! Now follow the steps below and remove stubborn stains from your clothes.
Step 1 - Scratch it off
First, take a dull knife and try to scrape off as much concrete as possible. Avoid rubbing the stain as this will only push the cement into the fibers. Also, you could risk tearing the fabric of your clothes.
Alternatively, if you don't have a dull knife, you can use a plastic spatula or the edge of a credit card.
Wash concrete residue from your clothes under running water. If possible, do it outside to avoid clogging the drain.
Step 2: Apply detergent
Some said using a lime-based rust remover can help remove wet concrete stains. However, these products areRecommended for use on hard, non-porous surfaces only. Using them on clothing can ruin the fabric and fade the color of the clothing.
Instead, just use your regular laundry detergent. Pour some liquid detergent on the stained area and scrub with an old toothbrush. Add more detergent if needed and continue scrubbing vigorously until the stain begins to fade.
Step 3: Apply stain remover (optional)
For best results, pre-treat the concrete stain by spraying some stain remover directly onto the stained area. Leave to rest for 15 minutes.
Alternatively, you can mix vinegar and water.(ratio 1:1)and spray the solution on the stained area. This will also do a great job of removing cement stains.
Step 4: Wash it off
Use the same detergent to wash your clothes. Do not wash them with other clothes to avoid staining. Once that's done, check the stained area to see if it's still visible. If necessary, wash it again.
How to get rid of dried concrete stains
When the concrete stains have set, you may think that you can add water and wet it again. But that is not the case. Concrete does not reabsorb water and can only get harder over time.(2).
Dry cement stains are much more resilient than wet ones. Therefore, stain removal takes a little longer. Follow this step-by-step guide to successfully remove them from your favorite garment.
1.What you need to get
- it's raining
- liquid detergent
- Cloth
- white wine vinegar
- toothbrush
- Fleckenentferner-Spray (optional)
2. What to do
Once you have all of the above gadgets and products, roll up your sleeves and get to work!
Step 1: Remove excess concrete
First remove as much excess concrete with your fingertips. Remember to be very gentle.
It may be tempting to peel off the hardened concrete, but resist the urge.Peeling or scraping off hardened concrete can damage the fabric or even poke a hole in clothing.
Step 2 - Sand it down
Take some sandpaper and lightly abrade the concrete stain to wear it down. Be careful not to rub the threads of your clothes as this will cause holes.
Step 3: Apply detergent
Put a few drops of detergent on the stained area and rub gently with a clean cloth. Any cleaning product will do, but the most effective ones areSolvent based heavy duty detergent.
Step 4: Soak with vinegar
Soak the stain with some white vinegar and leave it on for a few hours or overnight. Take an old toothbrush and scrub the area to loosen the stain.
Step 5: Apply stain remover (optional)
If the stain is still visible after soaking in vinegar, spray some stain remover onto the stain and leave for 15 minutes. This can further remove the stain from the fabric.
Again, you can replace the stain remover with a mixture of vinegar and water.
Step 6: Wash it off
Put your clothes in the washing machine with the same detergent and 1 cup of white vinegar. Wash it off and check the stained area again once the cycle is complete. If necessary, repeat the process until the stain is completely gone.
What is the best way to put vinegar in the washing machine? Let's find out!
Watch this video: Adding Vinegar to Laundry Detergent
frequently asked questions
For more information on this topic, see these FAQs. If you cannot find the answers you need, feel free to share your questions in the comments section.
Are Cement Stains Permanent?
No it is not. With the right technique and products, concrete stains can be easily treated. Of course, keep in mind that the more dryers there are, the more difficult it becomes to remove them. Therefore, do your best to get rid of the stains as soon as possible.
Can I use Lime-a-way to remove stains from clothing?
Lime-a-way is designed to treat stains on hard, non-porous surfaces. Do not use on clothing. The chemicals in this product can destroy the fabrics and colors of your clothing.
Does detergent remove concrete stains?
Detergent is the best choice for you as it is cheap and effective. I recommend using a strong detergent with stain removing ability as concrete stains are quite stubborn. Do not use rust remover as it can ruin your clothes.
How do I remove dry cement from clothing?
Dry cement stains are very tough. First you need to take some sandpaper and sand down the dry concrete. Then rub the stain with detergent and soak the clothes in a little vinegar for a few hours. Finally, wash thoroughly.
How to remove cement dust from clothes?
First remove the excess powder from your clothes. Then simply put your clothes in the washing machine and select the heavy soil setting. Avoid washing your clothes with other clothes to avoid stains as well.
Does vinegar remove cement from clothes?
Yes! Soaking clothes in vinegar before washing can make the washing process easier and more successful. Or you can spray some vinegar mixed with water on the stained area as a pre-treatment.
Will sugar water dissolve concrete?
Sugar is typically used to slow down the hydration process of concrete. So if it's wet concrete, you can use sugar to delay hardening. But if the concrete has already hardened, the sugar will not harm it.
Can hardened cement be reversed?
Cement hardening is irreversible! Once the cement has set, it will only get stronger and harder over time.
Defeat Concrete!
Concrete stains are difficult to remove, but they are not permanent. With the right guidance, you can get rid of them in the comfort of your own home.
After reading this article, I hope that concrete stains do not pose a major threat to you and your clothes.
If you find this post useful, please don't forget to like and share it. Do you have any other tips for removing cement stains? I'd love to hear them in the comments below,
Reference
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.Concrete.
- Interesting Engineering, 2016. Why concrete doesn't actually dry.