How to remove concrete from clothes: must-have tips 2022 (2023)

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 concrete splashed on your clothes? Or did you work at home in construction and now your clothes are covered in stains? Either way, you have work to do.

In this post, I'll share 3 step-by-step tutorials on how to tackle concrete stains in 3 different states: dusty, wet, and worse dry. So without further ado, let's do it!

Ways to remove cement dust from clothes

Dry concrete powder is actually quite easy to handle. 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 you to 2 methods to remove all the particles from your clothes, so take a look and choose the method you like best.

1. With a clothes brush

Before washing clothes, you should brush off the concrete particles. So grab a clothes brush and let's go!

Step 1: Brush it

When handling dry concrete dustdon't let it get wet. Concrete dust reacts with water and solidifies.⁽¹⁾, making it much more difficult to remove.

Use the clothes brush to scrub the stained area. Try to remove as much dust as possible from both sides of the fabric. If you are handling delicate fabrics, consider using a garment-safe stain brush.

Step 2: Shake (or Aspirate)

Take the clothes outside and shake off the excess cement. You may want to close your eyes or wear glasses to keep dust out of your eyes.

Alternatively you can usea vacuum cleaner (with the brush attachment)to absorb all particles. A shop vac or air compressor will also work.

Step 3 – Soak (Optional)

Pour some vinegar and warm water (1:1 ratio) into a bowl and soak your clothes in the mixture for an hour. The vinegar will help clean the fabric and get rid of the cement smell.

Step 4: Wash it off

Once the concrete dust is gone, put the 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 cluttering 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 it up

Spread your clothes on a table or on the floor. Then, roll the lint roller up and down over the stained area until all the dust is removed. As simple as that.

Step 2: Wash It

Wash your clothes as before, using the heavy soil setting and heavy duty detergent. Then air dry your clothes or use the dryer.

If you need more instructions on how to make a lint roller yourself, this may help!

Tutorial on how to remove wet cement from your clothes

Compared to cement dust, staining wet concrete is a bit more difficult. The trick is to work fast, because stubborn cement stains are a nightmare. So quickly grab everything you need and let's get started right away!

1.What you need

• dull knife
• liquid detergent
• toothbrush
• Stain remover spray (optional)

2. What you should do

You have everything you need? Excellent! Now follow the steps below and remove this stubborn stain from your clothes.

Step 1 – Scratch It Off

First, take a dull knife and try to scrape off as much of the 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 clothing.

Alternatively, if you don't have a dull knife, you can use a plastic spatula or the edge of a credit card.

Wash concrete residues from your clothing under running water. If possible, do it outside to avoid clogging the drain.

Step 2: Apply detergent

Some said that 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 it with an old toothbrush. Add more detergent if necessary and continue rubbing 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. Let it rest for 15 minutes.

Alternatively, you can mix vinegar and water.(1:1 ratio)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. When you're done, check the stained area to see if it's still visible. Wash again if necessary.

How to Get Rid of Dried Concrete Stains

When the concrete stains have set, you may think you can just pour water on it and make it wet again. But that is not the case. Concrete does not reabsorb water and can only harden over time.⁽²⁾.

Dry cement stains are much more resistant than wet ones. Because of this, the stain removal process will take a bit longer. Follow this step-by-step guide to successfully remove them from your favorite garment.

1.What you need

• Sandpaper
• liquid detergent
• Cloth
• White wine vinegar
• toothbrush
• Stain remover spray (optional)

2. What you should do

Once you have all the devices and products above, roll up your sleeves and get to work!

Step 1 – Remove Excess Concrete

First, remove as much of the excess concrete with your fingertips. Remember to be very gentle.

It may be tempting to peel away the hardened concrete, but resist the temptation.Peeling or scraping hardened concrete can damage fabric or even poke a hole in clothing.

Step 2: Grind It

Take some sandpaper and lightly abrade the concrete stain to wear it down. Take care not to rub the threads of your clothing 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 areStrong solvent-based detergent.

Step 4: Soak with Vinegar

Soak the stain in a bit of white vinegar and let it sit 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 it in vinegar, spray some stain remover on the stain and leave it 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 recheck the stained area 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!

frequent questions

For more information on this topic, check out these FAQs. If you can't find the answers you need, feel free to share your questions in the comments section.

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 concrete stains don't pose much of a threat to you and your clothes.

If you find this post useful, don't forget to like and share it. Do you have any other tips for removing concrete stains? I'd love to hear them in the comments section below,

Reference

1. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.Concrete.
2. Interestingengineering, 2016. Why concrete doesn't actually dry.