Every fall in North Texas, wet leaves, pecan hulls and acorns leave brown and orange marks on driveways, sidewalks and patios. Those marks are tannins and plant oils that have soaked into the concrete, so a quick rinse with the hose rarely gets them out. The good news: most leaf and pecan stains come out with household products if you start gentle and work up. Here are three methods, in order, plus how to keep the stains from coming back.
Why Leaves and Pecans Stain Concrete
Leaves, nut hulls and acorns contain tannins, the same natural dyes that color tea. When they sit wet on a driveway, the tannins leach out and soak into the surface. Pecans add sap and oils from the hulls, which is why the marks under a pecan tree are often darker and more stubborn. Concrete is porous, so the stain sits below the surface, not on top of it.
Before You Start
- Sweep or blow off all leaves, hulls and debris.
- Wet down nearby grass and plants, and cover any you can, before using bleach.
- Wear gloves and old clothes.
- Test each method on a small, out-of-the-way spot first.
- Work in the morning or evening so cleaners don’t dry on hot concrete.
Method 1: Dishwasher Detergent and a Stiff Brush
Start here for fresh or light stains.
- Wet the stained concrete.
- Sprinkle powdered dishwasher detergent that contains bleach directly onto the damp stain.
- Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Scrub with a stiff, non-metal brush.
- Rinse thoroughly. Repeat once or twice if the stain fades but doesn’t disappear.
Method 2: Diluted Bleach for Stubborn Stains
If detergent doesn’t do it, mix 1 cup of liquid chlorine bleach into 2 gallons of water. Wet the concrete, apply the mixture, and keep the area wet for about 5 minutes without letting it dry. Scrub, then rinse completely.
- Never mix bleach with anything except water. Mixing it with other cleaners can release dangerous fumes.
- Rinse plants and grass well afterward.
- Bleach can dull concrete sealer if it isn’t rinsed off.
- Treat the whole slab or section evenly, or the cleaned spot may look lighter than the rest.
Method 3: Oxygen-Based Cleaner for Set-In “Ghost” Stains
Faint outlines of leaves that survive scrubbing are often called ghost stains. For these, use a cleaner labeled for organic or tannin stains (many are oxygen-based). Apply it to damp concrete and follow the label for dwell time, since some products are meant to work for a day or longer before rinsing.
Will a Pressure Washer Remove Leaf Stains?
Pressure alone often lightens tannin stains without removing them, because the stain is inside the concrete. Turning up the pressure or using a narrow tip can etch the surface and leave stripes. Professionals pre-treat the stains with a cleaner first, then wash the whole driveway with a surface cleaner for an even finish. If you’re using your own machine, see our guide on what PSI pressure washer you need before you start.
How to Keep Leaf and Pecan Stains Off Your Driveway
- Sweep or blow leaves and hulls off the driveway often in the fall, especially after rain.
- Keep gutters clear so downspouts don’t dump leaf-stained water onto the concrete. See gutter cleaning in Arlington.
- Seal the concrete after it’s clean so stains have a harder time soaking in.
When to Call a Pro
If stains are still there after two rounds, or the whole driveway looks blotchy, a professional cleaning is usually faster and more even. Stegmeier Pressure Washing pre-treats tannin, oil and rust stains and cleans driveways in Arlington and across DFW, typically for $150 to $300 depending on size and stains. See our driveway cleaning service, oil stain removal and driveway pressure washing cost guide.
FAQs
What causes brown leaf stains on concrete?
Tannins from wet leaves, nut hulls and acorns soak into porous concrete. Pecan hulls also release sap and oils, which make the stains darker.
Is bleach safe to use on a concrete driveway?
Diluted bleach (1 cup per 2 gallons of water) is commonly used on concrete. Keep it off plants, never mix it with other cleaners, and rinse well, because it can dull sealer.
Will a pressure washer alone remove pecan stains?
Usually not completely. The stain is inside the concrete, so it needs a cleaner first. Too much pressure can also etch the surface.
Sources: Everyday Cheapskate, “How to Remove Stubborn Leaf Stains from Concrete”; Hunker, “How to Remove Stains Made by Pecans”. Driveway prices are Stegmeier Pressure Washing’s published rates as of November 2026.
