How To Get Concrete Out Of Clothes: Must-Try Tips 2024

Learning how to get concrete out of clothes can be tricky. But don’t worry, I’m here to help!

Did you walk near a construction site and concrete splattered on your clothes? Or were you doing some construction work at home, and now your clothes are covered with stains? Either way, you need to get some work done.

In this post, I shall tell 3 step-by-step tutorials on tackling concrete stains at 3 different states: dust, wet, and worst of all, dried. So without further ado, let’s do this!

Ways Get Concrete Dust Out Of Clothes

Dry concrete dust is actually very easy to handle. You simply have to remove the concrete particles in your clothes and put them in the washing machine. Once the cycle is finished, your clothes will come out fresh and clean.

In this section, I will share 2 methods to get all the particles out of your clothes, so take a look and pick the one you like most.

1. With A Clothes Brush

Before washing your clothes, you must brush away the concrete particles. So grab a clothes brush and let’s get to work! 

Step 1: Brush It

When dealing with dry concrete dust, do not get it wet. The concrete dust will react with the water and become solid ⁽¹⁾, making it much harder 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 clothes with delicate fabric, you should use a garment-safe stain brush.

Step 2: Shake It (Or Vacuum It)

Take the clothes outside and shake out the excess cement. You might want to close your eyes or wear glasses to prevent the dust from getting in your eyes.

Alternatively, you can use a vacuum (with the brush attachment) to suck up all particles. A shop vac or air compressor works too.

Step 3: Soak It (Optional)

Pour some vinegar and warm water (1:1 rato) into a container and soak your clothes in the mixture for 1 hour. The vinegar will help clean the fabric and eliminate the cement smell.

Step 4: Wash It

Once all the concrete dust is gone, put your clothes in the washing machine with some detergent. I recommend using heavy-duty liquid detergent, but feel free to use anything else if you don’t have it.

Then choose the heavy soil setting and run a cycle. Avoid overcrowding your machine to make sure that the dust will be washed away.

2. With A Lint Roller

A lint roller is perfect for removing concrete dust from your clothes. If you don’t have a lint roller, you can DIY your own by putting double-sided tape on a spray can.

Step 1: Roll It

Lay your clothes flat out on a table or the floor. Then roll the lint roller up and down the stained area until all the dust comes out. It is as simple as that.

Step 2: Wash It

Just like before, wash your clothes using the heavy soil setting and heavy-duty detergent. Then air-dry your clothes or use the tumble dryer.

If you need more instruction on how to DIY a lint roller, this can help you!

Tutorial On Removing Wet Concrete From Your Clothes

Compared to cement dust, wet concrete stains will be a bit more challenging. The trick here is to work fast since hardened concrete stains are a nightmare to deal with. So quickly grab everything you need, and let’s dive right in!

1. What You Need To Get

• Dull knife
• Liquid detergent
• Toothbrush
• Stain remover spray (Optional)

2. What You Need To Do

Got everything you need? Great! Now, follow the steps below and eliminate that stubborn stain out of your clothes.

Step 1: Scrape It

First, take a dull knife and try to scrape off as much concrete as you can. Avoid rubbing the stain since that will only push the cement further into the fibers. Plus, you might risk ripping the fabric off your clothes.

If you don’t have a dull knife, you can use a plastic spatula or the edge of a credit card as an alternative.

Wash off the concrete residue on your clothes under running water. If possible, do it outside to avoid blocking the drain.

Step 2: Apply Detergent

Some said using lime-based rust remover can help remove wet concrete stains. However, those products are only recommended for use on hard & non-porous surfaces. Using them on clothes can ruin the fabric and fade the color of your clothes.

So instead of that, just use your regular detergent. Pour some liquid detergent on the stained area and rub it with an old toothbrush. Add more detergent if needed and keep scrubbing hard until the stain begins to fade.

Step 3: Apply Stain Remover (Optional)

For the best result, pretreat the concrete stain by spraying some stain remover directly on the stained area. Let it sit 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

Use the same detergent to wash your clothes. Do not wash them with other garments to prevent spotting. Once it is done, check the stained area to see if it’s still visible. Give it another wash if needed.

How To Get Rid Of Dried Concrete Stains

When the concrete stains have become solid, you might think that you can add water into it and make it wet again. But that is not the case. Concrete doesn’t reabsorb water and can only become harder over time ⁽²⁾.

Dried cement stains are much more stubborn than wet ones. Because of that, the stain-removing process will be a bit lengthier. Follow this step-by-step tutorial to remove them from your favorite piece of clothing successfully.

1. What You Need To Get

• Sandpapers
• Liquid detergent
• Cloth
• White vinegar
• Toothbrush
• Stain remover spray (Optional)

2. What You Need To Do

Once you have all the equipment and products above, roll up your sleeves, and let’s get down to business!

Step 1: Remove Excess Concrete

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

You might find it tempting to peel off the hardened concrete but resist the temptation. Peeling or scraping hardened concrete can damage the fabric or even rip a hole in your clothes.

Step 2: Sand It

Take some sandpapers and sand the concrete stain lightly to wear it out. Be cautious not to rub the threads of your clothing, as this will result in holes.

Step 3: Apply Detergent

Pour a few drops of detergent into the stained area and gently rub it with a clean cloth. Any detergent will do, but the most effective ones are solvent-based heavy-duty liquid detergent.

Step 4: Soak It With Vinegar

Soak the stain with some white vinegar and let it sit for a few hours or overnight. Take an old toothbrush and rub the spot to loosen the stain.

Step 5: Apply Stain Remover (Optional)

If the stain is still visible after the vinegar soak, spray some stain remover on the stain and leave it for 15 minutes. This can further eliminate the stain from the fabric.

Again, you can replace stain remover with a mixture of vinegar and water.

Step 6: Wash It

Put your clothes in the washer with the same laundry detergent and 1 cup of white vinegar. Wash it and recheck the stained area once the cycle is finished. Repeat the process if needed until the stain is completely gone.

What is the best way to put vinegar in the washing machine? Let’s find out!

FAQs

Check out these FAQs for more information regarding this topic. If you can’t find the answers you need, feel free to share your questions in the comment section.

Defeat The Concrete!

Concrete stains are hard to remove, but they are not permanent. With proper guidance, you will be able to get rid of them in the comfort of your own home.

After reading this article, I hope that concrete stains won’t pose a significant threat to you and your garments.

If you find this post helpful, don’t forget to leave a like and share. Do you have any other tips to remove concrete stains? I’d love to hear them in the comment section down below,

Reference

1. Wikipedia, 2021.Concrete.
2. Interestingengineering, 2016. Why Concrete Doesn’t Actually Dry Out.