
Cleaning Stains from Planters on a Concrete Patio
- Step 1 - Preparing the Materials. Get out your bucket, and fill it with hot water. Mix in an appropriate amount of...
- Step 2 - Preparing the Area. Bring your bucket full of cleaning supplies and your scrub brush outside. Move your...
- Step 2 - Applying Bleach. Dip your scrub brush into your bucket. Rub the brush on the...
How do you clean a dirty concrete planter?
Wet a scrubbing brush in the detergent solution and scrub the inside of the pot, where it is likely the most dirty. Rinse the concrete planter out with your garden hose. Scrub the inside again if any dirt remains (and rinse once more). Scrub the exterior of the planter with the scrubbing brush dipped in the detergent solution.
How do you get rid of mold in concrete planters?
Mix a solution of household bleach and water in a clean spray bottle. The North Dakota State University plant disease management Web site recommends using a ratio of 3 cups of bleach per 1 gallon of water to sanitize garden instruments. After you’ve mixed the solution in your spray bottle, spray the entire interior area of the concrete planter.
How do you clean the inside of a pot plant?
Add 2 to 3 tbsp. of a mild, biodegradable dish detergent. Put on your garden gloves. Turn on your garden hose and fill a clean bucket with water. Wet a scrubbing brush in the detergent solution and scrub the inside of the pot, where it is likely the most dirty.
What do you do with the dirt in a planter?
This is to hold the dirt you remove from the planter. If the previous plant suffered from a disease, or the dirt appears moldy, you should dispose of this with your yard waste--otherwise, you can just put it in your compost pile or another area of your garden. Concrete planters are sturdy, strong and often look like decorative stone.

How do you restore old concrete planters?
Protect Work Surface.Remove Existing Plants.Remove Peeling Paint.Paint Planter.Add Potting Soil.Determine Placement of New Plants.Unpot, Then Plant.Add Mulch.More items...•
How do you take care of concrete pots?
To maintain the best look to your planter, wash regularly and lightly wax the surface. Use a wash cloth and warm soapy water as needed. Avoid using materials which may scratch your planters such as steel wool or other abrasive sponges. If you desire a glossy or high polish look you may also wax your planters.
How do you clean outdoor planters?
Use one-part unscented household bleach and nine parts water, filling a container large enough to hold all the pots. Submerge the pots and let them soak for 10 minutes. This will kill off any disease organisms that might be lingering on the surface.
How do you clean white cement pots?
0:461:53Proper Cleaning of Pots and Containers | From the Ground UpYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what you'd want to do is start with a 9. Parts water to the one part chlorine bleach. Solution.MoreSo what you'd want to do is start with a 9. Parts water to the one part chlorine bleach. Solution. And the chlorine bleach will kill off any bacteria or fungus that might be living in the container.
Can concrete planters be left out in winter?
If you're still worried about leaving them out, you can cover them with a container cover or tarp. If they're small, turn them upside down and store them in place. A winter garden in a concrete container. Concrete pots can stay out all winter and look best if you plant them.
Should you seal concrete planters?
Sealing Concrete Containers Will Them Less Porous Plants will require a little less maintenance if they are potted in a concrete planter, especially if the plants prefer to be on the drier side, like succulents. Unsealed concrete planter is porous, water evaporates. Sealed planter retains more water.
How do you clean a large outdoor planter?
0:523:28How to Clean Big Flower Pots After They Have Gathered Moss During ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can also use a little bit of biodegradable dish soap as well but this won't cause as much sudsMoreYou can also use a little bit of biodegradable dish soap as well but this won't cause as much suds in your in your driveway. So i've. Actually added a couple of tablespoons. Of vinegar to my water.
How do I clean my garden pots without bleach?
Plain white vinegar is a cheap and effective naturally acidic product that you can use to sterilize your plants in an environmentally friendly way. After giving your pots a good scrub, soak them in a half-and-half hot water solution and 30% white vinegar. Allow them to soak for at least two hours.
How do you keep dirt from washing in pots?
Packing peanuts do a good job of allowing drainage and keeping the soil in. They also make a pot lighter and you won't need as much soil. Styrofoam cut to the shape of the bottom of the pot also works well. It allows the water to drain out but keeps the soil intact.
Does white vinegar clean concrete?
White vinegar and a little scrubbing with a brush is a very effective, eco-friendly way to remove rust stains from concrete—even those that are decades old. Pour the white vinegar directly onto the stain, allow the liquid to penetrate the area for 20 minutes, and scrub with a stiff-bristled brush.
Will straight bleach harm concrete?
Bleach is safe to use on concrete. When applied to concrete, bleach does not harm the sturdy material. However, it does remove spots and unwanted matter from the surface, such as mildew and moss.
What is the best chemical to clean concrete?
Five Concrete Cleaning Products To UseSoda. Soda can be used to remove grease stains. ... Detergent. This is recommended for smaller grease spills. ... Vinegar and Baking Soda. Cleaning concrete with vinegar or baking soda is a good option if you are looking for a natural cleaner. ... Concrete Cleaner or Degreaser. ... Bleach.
Does concrete require maintenance?
Concrete is one of the most durable building materials, but it does require occasional repair and maintenance. Problems can be caused by outside forces such as freezing water, structural problems or surface damage, which is usually caused by improper finishing methods or poorly mixed concrete.
How do you protect concrete?
Concrete sealer is a protective barrier that gives longevity to concrete and makes cleaning easy. If your concrete is new, you'll need to let it cure; wait at least one month before applying sealer. Before you apply it, check the weather.
Are concrete pots good for plants?
In general, both concrete and cement pots are fantastic options for potted plants because they are somewhat porous and will allow some moisture to get through.
What should you not use on concrete?
Be sure NOT to use a metallic scrub brush because these brushes can leave behind metal bits that will rust and stain your concrete....Before the concrete cleaning process starts, check to see if you have the following items:Broom.Dustpan.Mop.Bucket.Scrub Brush (not metallic)Spray bottle.Gloves.Cat litter.
How to kill microbes in concrete planters?
Mix a solution of household bleach and water in a clean spray bottle. The North Dakota State University plant disease management Web site recommends using a ratio of 3 cups of bleach per 1 gallon of water to sanitize garden instruments. After you’ve mixed the solution in your spray bottle, spray the entire interior area of the concrete planter. This should kill any harmful microbes remaining. Let the planter dry completely before using it for planting new plants.
How to dispose of old planter dirt?
Place a plastic bag near the planter. This is to hold the dirt you remove from the planter. If the previous plant suffered from a disease, or the dirt appears moldy, you should dispose of this with your yard waste--otherwise, you can just put it in your compost pile or another area of your garden.
Can you clean a concrete planter?
Cleaning and sanitizing planters prevents diseases from spreading plant to plant. A concrete planter’s rough surface doesn’t always lend itself to easy cleaning, but with the proper equipment you should be able to prepare the planter well enough to safely house a new plant.
What to use to clean stains on concrete patio?
What You'll Need. Bucket. Hot water. Oxygen bleach. Scrub brush. Broom. Concrete sealant. Many object can leave stains on a concrete patio. One of the most stubborn sources of stains can be ordinary planters.
How to make a sanding bucket?
Step 1 - Preparing the Materials. Get out your bucket, and fill it with hot water. Mix in an appropriate amount of oxygen bleach. The correct amount will vary depending on the brand, so read the instructions on the bleach container carefully. Mix the two materials together thoroughly.
How do I clean concrete steps?
Cleaning concrete steps is easy! First, sweep and rinse them down to remove all debris. Then create a paste using a mix of Tide Oxi or Oxi Clean —you can ignore the ratios on the box and instead put a scoop into the bucket and add water slowly until the mixture resembles the thickness of peanut butter.
How do you get stains out of concrete?
Thus, you have to draw them out. To get stains out, make a thick paste using your cleaner—it should be the consistency of peanut butter. Spread the paste mixture onto the stain and let it sit for a few hours, then scrape it away and rinse. Repeat as necessary.
How long does it take to scrub a porch?
We would continually use the broom to push all the water down the stairs rather than let it drip into the garden. It took us about 30 minutes to scrub down the entire porch, but yours will take more or less depending on the size and how dirty it is. Once you are done scrubbing, rinse thoroughly.
Can you clean concrete in the fall?
Statuary, birdbaths and decorative concrete planters can all become dirty and dingy-looking with age. Regular cleaning keeps the dirt from collecting so the concrete looks its best. Clean concrete in the fall when you are preparing ...
Does washing soda harm plants?
Both washing soda and trisodium phosphate can harm plants. Move ornaments onto paved areas for cleaning or cover the surrounding grass or plants with a tarp before cleaning. Writer Bio. Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006.
How to clean bleach from plastic pots?
If you have terra cotta pots, submerge them in a container filled with clear water and allow them to soak for an additional 10 minutes to remove the bleach from the pores of the material. Air dry these as well.
How to get salt off of pots?
Use a stiff scrub brush and clear water. If stubborn salt deposits stick and don’t come off with the brush, try scraping them off with an old butter knife. Once the pots are clean, make up a large container filled with a 10 percent bleach solution. Use one part unscented household bleach and nine parts water, filling a container large enough ...
Why is it important to clean pots?
So why is it so important to clean containers for the garden? Soil builds up salts that can damage plants, and these salts get deposited on the inside of planters. In addition, any diseases your plants may have carried last season can get transferred to your new plants. The solution is cleaning used flower pots before using them again. Garden pot cleaning only takes a few minutes, but it can keep your plants healthy and productive.
Can you reuse flower pots?
If you’ve accumulated a large collection of used flower pots and planters, you’re probably thinking about reusing them for your next batch of container gardening. This is a great way to be frugal while still keeping up a lush and varied plant collection, but reusing containers can be a problem unless you clean them. Let’s take a look at washing pots before planting so you can grow healthy plants.

Step 1 - Preparing The Materials
- Get out your bucket, and fill it with hot water. Mix in an appropriate amount of oxygen bleach. The correct amount will vary depending on the brand, so read the instructions on the bleach container carefully. Mix the two materials together thoroughly.
Step 2 - Preparing The Area
- Bring your bucket full of cleaning supplies and your scrub brush outside. Move your planters and anything else that is in the way off of your patio. Get out your broom and use it to sweep the area thoroughly to remove any loose debris or large chunks of dirt.
Step 2 - Applying Bleach
- Dip your scrub brush into your bucket. Rub the brush on the stain. Get more bleach on the brush as needed.
Step 3 - Finishing Up
- Rinse the area off and examine your work. It is quite likely that you will need to scrub the stain again, but you should see a difference. Repeat the previous step as needed. When you are done, you can apply concrete sealant to the patio, which will help keep it in good condition over time.