leaf stains
December 2nd, 2008Thanksgiving is a time not only to reflect on all that is good but ALSO to tackle cleaning chores requiring extra consideration–say “leaf stains” on the concrete patio for instance.
Prior to our final fall clean-up, wet leaves had stood long enough on our concrete-clad patio to produce a series of leaf imprints. Clean+istry believes that outlines of formerly living things should be studied at crime scenes, not on modern patios. And so…on the day after Thanksgiving as the temperature rose above 40 degrees we went about the task of removing them.
This turned out not to be so easy or satisfying.
Making its final appearance for the season, we retrieved the pressure washer (our favorite new cleaning tool of 2008). We dampened the affected areas and allowed a liquid detergent to soak the stained areas for several minutes.
The pressure washer removed some of the stains, dimmed a few of them and had no impact on others at all.
We plan to watch the stains for the next several weeks to determine if the sun’s rays will complete the job before moving on to more drastic measures involving a 50/50 mix of water and bleach applied to the affected areas (Clean+istry is loathe to use bleach in any form or concentration or under any circumstance).
We’ll give you a progress report in a couple of weeks. If you have any experience with leaf stains on pavers, please share.
related post: people bond with pressure washers