Can I use hydrochloric acid instead of an efflorescence remover?

We would advise against it. Hydrochloric acid dissolves the cement binder along with the efflorescence, washes out the joints and opens up the structure of the concrete, so the efflorescence returns sooner.

Why must the product not dry on the surface?

Because it then stays there together with the dissolved soiling and leaves a streak that is often harder to remove than what it was meant to lift. That is the commonest cause of discolouration after washing.

Do I have to seal immediately after washing?

Not immediately - wait until the surface is dry all the way through. But do not leave it for weeks: a clean, unprotected surface will soil again.

How do I work out how much concentrate to buy?

From the dilution ratio. At 1:4 a litre gives five litres of working solution; where the dose is given in ml per litre of water, work the other way - 50 ml per litre means 20 litres of solution from one litre.

Cleaners for paving, concrete and facades

pH: Efflorescence and scale come off with an acidic product. Grease, oil and algae with an alkaline one. The other way round does nothing.
Form: A concentrate is diluted with water - over a large area it works out clearly cheaper per square metre. A ready-to-use product goes on as it is and suits spot work.
What to avoid: Do not use acidic products on metal, painted coatings or render, among others - you will find the full list of exclusions on each product.

26 products

Standard
Grout and cement joint cleaner C-12F CTS Chemistry
38,99 zł
51,99 zł/L
Standard
Anti-slip treatment for granite and gneiss tiles R-9G CTS Chemistry
59,90 zł
59,90 zł/L≈ 9,22 zł/m²
Standard
Anti-slip treatment for ceramic and porcelain tiles R-9C CTS Chemistry
59,90 zł
59,90 zł/L≈ 11,98 zł/m²
Standard
Oil stain remover for concrete and paving OL-1 CTS Chemistry
55,20 zł
55,20 zł/L
Standard
Heavy-duty mineral soiling cleaner D-4 CTS Chemistry
40,16 zł
37,64 zł/L
Standard
Lime efflorescence remover D-2W CTS Chemistry
35,67 zł
30,50 zł/L≈ 7,63 zł/m²
Standard
Post-construction residue cleaner D-2B CTS Chemistry
49,20 zł
40,59 zł/L≈ 10,15 zł/m²
Standard
Block paving cleaner D-12K CTS Chemistry
29,52 zł
27,06 zł/L
Standard
Heavy-duty organic soiling cleaner D-12 CTS Chemistry
33,90 zł
29,80 zł/L

Guides

Before you choose: how to pick the right product, prepare the surface and what to expect once it is on.

Block paving with a washed darker section and a dusty pale section

Preparation and application

Preparing the substrate before sealing

A sealing job that goes wrong is almost never the sealer's fault. Five things to check before you open the pack - and why the order matters.

September 17, 20265 min read

Block paving with an irregular white lime-efflorescence bloom, seen from above

Stain removal

Efflorescence on block paving - where it comes from and how to remove it

The white bloom on new paving is not a manufacturing fault and not dirt. It is lime carried out of the concrete by water. What to do about it, and what not to do.

September 17, 20265 min read

A dark irregular oil stain absorbed into grey concrete paving

Stain removal

Oil stains on paving and concrete

Oil does not sit on top - it soaks in. Which is why a brush does nothing and harder scrubbing only spreads it. What works, and in what order.

September 17, 20264 min read

Choose a cleaner by the type of soiling, not by the surface. Acid dissolves mineral deposits, alkali dissolves grease and organic dirt. The other way round does not work, and the wrong choice is the most common reason a clean fails.

Block paving cleaner

Refresh greyed paving with EC-87, which works within 2-3 minutes and brings back the colour of the surface. An old, greasy drive comes clean with the alkaline concentrate D-12K, which you dilute with water, most often 1:4. We show how to tell soiling apart and what removes it in the guide cleaning block paving.

Efflorescence and cement laitance remover

Efflorescence, cement laitance and mortar residue are mineral deposits that only an acidic product will dissolve. D-2W removes lime and carbonate efflorescence from paving, concrete and clinker, and D-2B takes off mortar residue and laitance left by building work. On new paving, Guard Remover Eco is a convenient choice, as it needs no neutralising after rinsing. More in the guides efflorescence on block paving and removing cement laitance.

Efflorescence removers and sealers for cleaned paving are side by side on the efflorescence removers page.

Oil stain remover

Oil soaks into the pores, so a brush does not touch it. Cover a fresh stain with sand or sawdust, then reach for OL-1, a ready-to-use product for spot-removing oil and grease stains. When the whole surface is greasy, Net’Guard Ultra 4 in 1 is more convenient: apply it undiluted and leave it for at least 15 minutes. The full sequence is in the guide oil stains on paving and concrete.

Degreasers and sealers that limit oil penetration are together on the oil stain removers page.

Joints, equipment and restoration

Discoloured grout and cement joints come clean with the ready-to-use C-12F. GTR Premium removes concrete and cement residue together with oil and grease, and leaves metal, paintwork, glass and rubber untouched, so you can wash a whole machine with it. The Guard Industry colour restorer refreshes dulled painted surfaces, wood and metal without repainting.

How to clean without causing damage

Protect the surroundings. The acidic D-2W and D-2B must not touch metal, paintwork or render.
On coloured paving, test in a spot that is out of sight.
Do not let the product dry on the surface - that is the most common cause of streaks after cleaning.
Marble, travertine and limestone do not tolerate acids: a pH 2 product etches a dull patch into them.

Cleaning is usually the first step, not the last. Seal the washed, dry surface and new soiling will get in more slowly.

Questions before you choose

Can I use hydrochloric acid instead of an efflorescence remover?: We would advise against it. Hydrochloric acid dissolves the cement binder along with the efflorescence, washes out the joints and opens up the structure of the concrete, so the efflorescence returns sooner.
Why must the product not dry on the surface?: Because it then stays there together with the dissolved soiling and leaves a streak that is often harder to remove than what it was meant to lift. That is the commonest cause of discolouration after washing.
Do I have to seal immediately after washing?: Not immediately - wait until the surface is dry all the way through. But do not leave it for weeks: a clean, unprotected surface will soil again.
How do I work out how much concentrate to buy?: From the dilution ratio. At 1:4 a litre gives five litres of working solution; where the dose is given in ml per litre of water, work the other way - 50 ml per litre means 20 litres of solution from one litre.