Tried a vinegar wash on a stained patio slab and it left a weird cloudy film

Jana Palmer · 2026-03-19T01:05:05.16357+00:00

I had a client in Tacoma with rust stains from a metal chair, so I mixed a 50/50 vinegar and water solution to try and lift it. It actually worked on the stain, but after it dried, the whole area had a dull, hazy patch that wouldn't broom off. Has anyone else had this happen, and what's the fix to get the sheen back?

gonzalez.wesley7mo ago

My neighbor had that happen and used a baking soda scrub to clear the film.

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mary_wells7mo ago

Honestly, that hazy patch sounds like a mineral deposit from the vinegar. Tbh, I'd just wait for the next good rain to wash it off before trying anything else.

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the_robin6mo ago

Oh man, that's frustrating! Did you rinse the slab with plain water really well after the vinegar sat on it? Vinegar leaves behind dissolved minerals when it dries, and that's probably the haze. A baking soda paste sounds like a good next step to neutralize it.

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