How to Clean Cigarette Ash from Concrete

Keeping the concrete around your home looking fresh is no small task, and it can be made even harder if someone stomps out a cigarette on it. The ash from a cigarette can get rubbed deep into the porous surface of concrete, and it can be tough to scrub out with your bare hands. However, with a little elbow grease and a free afternoon, you can clean up your concrete and make it look clean again.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning Fresh Cigarette Ash

  1. Image titled Clean Cigarette Ash from Concrete Step 1
    1
    Spray down the concrete with a water hose. If the ash is still loose and sitting on top of the concrete, you may be able to wet it down and spray it away. Turn your hose onto a strong nozzle setting, like shower or jet, then point the spray of water directly at the ash.[1]
    • Try to spray the ash away from the rest of the concrete onto the grass.
  2. Image titled Clean Cigarette Ash from Concrete Step 2
    2
    Mix a 1:1 ratio of washing soda and water. If the cigarette ash is still there, mix up some washing soda and warm water in a bucket at a 1:1 ratio. You can find washing soda at most grocery stores in the cleaning aisle. Make sure you don’t accidentally buy baking soda, as they’re very similar![2]
    • For example, you could combine 1 cup (201 g) of washing soda and 1 cup (240 mL) of water.
    • If you don’t have washing soda, pour baking soda onto a baking tray and put it in the oven at 300 °F (149 °C) to 30 minutes to 1 hour to create washing soda.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Clean Cigarette Ash from Concrete Step 3
    3
    Dip a soft-bristled brush into the mixture, then scrub the stains. Pick out a brush that has soft bristles that won’t scratch your concrete. Dip the brush into the washing soda and water, then scrub the cigarette ash to remove it from the concrete.[3]
    • Nylon brushes work well for cleaning concrete.
  4. Image titled Clean Cigarette Ash from Concrete Step 4
    4
    Rinse the concrete off with water. Use your hose again to spray off the area where you just scrubbed. If the stain is still there, you can try using your washing soda and water mixture again to scrub it off.[4]
    • If the stain is still there after multiple scrubbings, you may need to try something harsher.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Removing Tough Stains

  1. Image titled Clean Cigarette Ash from Concrete Step 5
    1
    Put on gloves and work in a well-ventilated area. To mix up this concrete stain remover, you’ll have to mix together some pretty strong chemicals. Make sure you’re wearing gloves and work outside or in a room with the doors and windows open.[5]
    • If you have a respirator and eye protection, you can put those on as well.
  2. Image titled Clean Cigarette Ash from Concrete Step 6
    2
    Dissolve 2 lbs (7.6 L) of trisodium phosphate into 1 US gal (3.8 L) of hot water. In a large bucket, mix together trisodium phosphate and hot water to dilute the chemical and make it safe to use. Use a wooden stirrer to combine the ingredients in your bucket.[6]
    • You can find trisodium phosphate at most hardware stores. It may be labeled as TSP.
    • Using this much trisodium phosphate will make enough cleaning paste to cover a large slab of concrete.
  3. Image titled Clean Cigarette Ash from Concrete Step 7
    3
    Mix 12 oz (0.34 kg) of chlorinated lime with water to make a paste. In a separate container, pour out your chlorinated lime crystals and slowly add hot water, about 1  c (240 mL) at a time. Use a wooden stirrer to combine the water and the crystals until they form a thick paste.[7]
    • You can find chlorinated lime powder, or bleaching powder, at most hardware stores.
  4. Image titled Clean Cigarette Ash from Concrete Step 8
    4
    Pour the paste into the trisodium phosphate mixture. Carefully pick up the chlorinated lime paste mixture and scrape it out into the trisodium phosphate bucket. Use your wooden stirrer to stir the mixture gently and combine the chemicals.[8]
  5. Image titled Clean Cigarette Ash from Concrete Step 9
    5
    Add enough hot water to make 2 gallons (7.6 L). Take note of how much liquid is in your bucket, then fill it up with hot water until it reaches the 2 US gal (7.6 L) line. It’s important to dilute the mixture really well to keep your concrete from getting bleached, so make sure you add enough water.[9]
    • Some hardware buckets have measurement lines on the inside so you can see where your liquid level is.
  6. Image titled Clean Cigarette Ash from Concrete Step 10
    6
    Cover the mixture and let the lime paste settle. Put a board or a lid over the bucket, but don’t seal it airtight. Leave the mixture for about 15 minutes to let the lime paste settle to the bottom. You’ll know when it’s ready when the liquid part at the top doesn’t look cloudy anymore.[10]
    • Covering the bucket is mainly to keep it from spilling or getting contaminated with anything else while it sits.
  7. Image titled Clean Cigarette Ash from Concrete Step 11
    7
    Pour the liquid into a separate container. Pick your bucket up and carefully pour off the liquid at the top of the mixture. You won’t need the liquid part of this mixture anymore, so you can set it off to the side.[11]
    • You can dispose of the liquid by either flushing it down the toilet or pouring it down the drain and flushing it with plenty of cool water.[12]
  8. Image titled Clean Cigarette Ash from Concrete Step 12
    8
    Spread the paste onto the stain with a towel. Making sure your gloves are still on, carefully pick up some of the paste from the bottom of the bucket with an old towel. Spread a thick layer of the paste over the cigarette ash stain to completely cover it.[13]
    • The paste works by absorbing the stain and then evaporating, leaving the concrete clean.
  9. Image titled Clean Cigarette Ash from Concrete Step 13
    9
    Scrub the paste off when it’s dry. After about 1 hour, you’ll notice that the paste has dried and formed a hardened crust. Take a dry soft-bristled brush or a sponge and gently scrape the paste off to reveal your cleaned concrete.[14]
    • If the stain isn’t gone yet, you can repeat the application of the paste as many times as you need to.
    10. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Stains on Concrete

  1. Image titled Clean Cigarette Ash from Concrete Step 14
    1
    Spray the concrete down with water often. Concrete does get dirty pretty fast, especially if it’s outside. To prevent stains, spray it down with your hose about once a week, or whenever you notice a new area is getting dirty.[15]
    • For a deep clean, consider renting a pressure washer from the hardware store and spraying down your concrete to remove layers of grime and dirt.
  2. Image titled Clean Cigarette Ash from Concrete Step 15
    2
    Apply a concrete sealer. If your concrete is unfinished, it is more likely to absorb liquids and cause stains. Find a clear silane-based concrete sealer from the hardware store and paint it onto your clean concrete with a paint brush or roller, then let it dry for about 1 day.[16]
    • Try not to let the sealer puddle on the concrete, or it could make the surface uneven.
    • Make sure you only apply a thin layer to avoid changing the color or appearance of your concrete.
  3. Image titled Clean Cigarette Ash from Concrete Step 16
    3
    Use a masonry primer and topcoat for indoor concrete. Make sure your concrete is clean, then apply a thin layer of masonry primer to the entire area with a paint roller. Allow this to dry for about 1 day, then add a masonry topcoat and let it dry for 1 day as well.[17]
    • Masonry finishing is best for preventing mold and mildew accumulation, so it’s great for humid environments.
    4. Advertisement

Warnings

Advertisement

Things You’ll Need

Cleaning Fresh Cigarette Ash

  • Hose
  • Washing soda
  • Soft-bristled brush

Removing Tough Stains

  • Gloves
  • Bucket
  • Trisodium phosphate
  • Chlorinated lime
  • Wooden stirrer
  • Towel

Preventing Stains on Concrete

  • Hose
  • Concrete sealer
  • Masonry topcoat
  • Masonry finish
  • Paint roller

You Might Also Like

Easy & Effective Ways to Clean Dirty Coins at Home
Clean a Derma Roller
How to
Clean a Derma Roller
Clean Vomit from a Mattress
How to
Clean Vomit from a Mattress
Remove Odor from Bags
How to
Remove Odor from Bags
How to
Clean Your Sink with Baking Soda
Clean Upholstery with a Steam Cleaner
How to
Clean Upholstery with a Steam Cleaner
How to
Clean Your Own Pool
How to
Clean Hair Combs
Clean Up Vomit
How to
Clean Up Vomit
Clean Rubber
How to
Clean Rubber
What Can You Use to Clean Your Clipper Blades10+ Ways to Clean Your Clipper Blades like a Pro Barber
Clean Dog Pee from MattressHow to Clean Dog Pee from a Mattress
How to
Clean Pennies
Clean Up Gasoline
How to
Clean Up Gasoline
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-concrete/
  2. ↑ https://www.installitdirect.com/learn/concrete-stain-removal/
  3. ↑ https://www.installitdirect.com/learn/concrete-stain-removal/
  4. ↑ https://www.concreteconstruction.net/how-to/materials/removing-stains-from-concrete_o
  5. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-concrete/
  6. ↑ https://www.concretealberta.ca/uploads/files/Home%20owner/IS214%20Removing%20Stains%20and%20Cleaning%20Concrete%20Surfaces.pdf
  7. ↑ https://www.concretealberta.ca/uploads/files/Home%20owner/IS214%20Removing%20Stains%20and%20Cleaning%20Concrete%20Surfaces.pdf
  8. ↑ https://www.concretealberta.ca/uploads/files/Home%20owner/IS214%20Removing%20Stains%20and%20Cleaning%20Concrete%20Surfaces.pdf
  9. ↑ https://www.concretealberta.ca/uploads/files/Home%20owner/IS214%20Removing%20Stains%20and%20Cleaning%20Concrete%20Surfaces.pdf
  1. ↑ https://www.concretealberta.ca/uploads/files/Home%20owner/IS214%20Removing%20Stains%20and%20Cleaning%20Concrete%20Surfaces.pdf
  2. ↑ https://www.concretealberta.ca/uploads/files/Home%20owner/IS214%20Removing%20Stains%20and%20Cleaning%20Concrete%20Surfaces.pdf
  3. ↑ https://fonddulac.extension.wisc.edu/files/2012/01/Paint-and-Other-Home-Improvement-Products.pdf
  4. ↑ https://www.concreteconstruction.net/how-to/materials/removing-stains-from-concrete_o
  5. ↑ https://www.concreteconstruction.net/how-to/materials/removing-stains-from-concrete_o
  6. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-concrete/
  7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9-HymrhGgY&feature=youtu.be&t=33
  8. ↑ https://images.sherwin-williams.com/content_images/sw-pdf-education-spec-guide.pdf

About This Article

Hannah Madden
Co-authored by:
Hannah Madden
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Hannah Madden is a writer, editor, and artist currently living in Portland, Oregon. In 2018, she graduated from Portland State University with a B.S. in Environmental Studies. Hannah enjoys writing articles about conservation, sustainability, and eco-friendly products. When she isn’t writing, you can find Hannah working on hand embroidery projects and listening to music. This article has been viewed 15,658 times.
2 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 3
Updated: March 30, 2023
Views: 15,658
Categories: Cleaning
Advertisement