How To Get Rust Stains Off Concrete

Rust stains on your concrete? This is the cheap and easy, tried and true method that I used to get rust stains off of our concrete patio!

Our DIY molded concrete patio is a fantastic part of our backyard. We love how it looks and loved decorating it with patio furniture and a gas fire pit.

However, I guess we should have purchased a cover for the gas fire pit because it did not weather well.

It had peeling paint and tons of rust. When I tried to make it over, the whole thing crumbled (literally!)

So, we got rid of the fire pit. I actually sold it on Facebook Marketplace – of course, I disclosed all the rust! But we still got $40 for it!

Even though the fire pit is gone, it left its mark on our cement patio.

There was a distinct circle of rust on the patio underneath the rim of the fire pit.

Lesson learned – you can't leave metal furniture outdoors on top of concrete without risking rust stains.

When it's left out in the rain, it can make a mess on your concrete surfaces.

We were about to list our house for sale and I did not want potential buyers to see a giant rust stain circle on the patio.

So, I decided to try to get the rust stain out of our concrete patio before we got a new coffee table.

How can I remove rust stains from concrete?

It wasn't particularly easy but it wasn't difficult either – it just took a little elbow grease.

I did this while 5 months pregnant on a hot sunny day – so you can definitely do it too!

The biggest determinate of how hard it is to get rust off of your concrete is going to depend on how long the stain has been there.

So, as soon as you notice a stain appear, try to treat it! The longer it sits, the harder it is to remove.

What we are going to do is scrub the rust off as much as possible, and then use lemon juice or vinegar – which are both acidic – to help remove any remaining stains from your concrete floor.

You can use a pressure washer, too. But I didn't need one for this tutorial!

This would also work to remove rust from driveway. Anywhere you have a rust stain on concrete, here's how to remove it!

What you need to remove rust stains from concrete

Hose with sprayer attachment
Metal scrub brush
Lemon juice
White vinegar

If your stains are very light, you can use a dish brush, toothbrush, or sponge in lieu of a metal scrub brush!

How to remove rust stains from concrete

First, let's try the easiest thing.

This won't get rid of all rust, but will get rid of anything surface level so you don't waste your time deep cleaning it.

Cut your hose on JET or a similar strong setting. Spray the stains directly to see what you can get up.

This will loosen up any debris or surface stains on your concrete.

Now, to start scrubbing. Use your stiff brush to scrub the area with the rust stains and then rinse with the hose.

Allow to dry completely and assess what came up.

I repeated this a couple of times when I felt like I was getting the stain but it wasn't completely coming off. It's very easy and quick to do.

Apply lemon juice to remaining stubborn stains. Lemon juice is very acidic, which helps to remove rust.

Let the lemon juice sit for at least 10 minutes.

Scrub with your metal brush. Rinse the area with the hose.

You can also repeat this a few times if need be. It depends on how smooth or bumpy your concrete is. If you have a lot of crevices, you will get more rust stuck in there and need to scrub them.

If a stain is very bad, repeat with white vinegar in lieu of lemon juice. Let sit 15 minutes, and then scrub.

You will likely have the hardest time in any grooves or cracks. Scrub as much as you can, but if it's too deep, there's not much you can do.

Finally, you can purchase a rust remover product. Follow the instructions on the package exactly.

Be very careful as it tends to lighten the concrete, leaving a rust-free but noticeably lighter spot where you used it. Hence use it as a last resort.

I personally do not prefer to use the rust remover, but it is an option for you if you are okay with it. I personally prefer more natural options.

What is the best rust remover for concrete?

The best rust remover is a little elbow grease! You can usually scrub it off using a wire brush, and something natural like lemon juice or white vinegar!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Estimated Cost: $0-10

Rust stains on your concrete? Here are easy and cheap ways to get the stains out!