Risks of using lawn dyes near concrete surfaces are not as well-known as with other surfaces like wood, masonry and paint.
Concrete has become ubiquitous in our society. It’s used everywhere from parking lots to playgrounds to roadsides.
But does using lawn dye stain concrete? Concrete surfaces are not immune to staining. Stains can show up as a result of a spill, splash or splatter from a common item from the home you have in the garage, or a pest problem.
To help preserve the value of concrete surfaces, home owners should minimize spillage onto the surface.
This article addresses the consequences of lawn dyes on concrete as well as ways to avoid the dye from staining the concrete and yourself.
Also read: Is My Lawn Too Far Gone? Noticeable Signs
Table of Contents
What is lawn dye?
Lawn dye is a colored lawn paint that is used to make the lawn look better.
It is often used when some small part of the lawn has been damaged or dirtied by pets, children, or other activity.
Turf colorants can be used to make the lawn look good, even if all of the grass on a particular patch of grass is dying from various diseases or environmental conditions.
Read More: Can Grass Seed Burn Your Lawn? How To Prevent Dead Patches
The natural color of the grass can be enhanced or replaced by this dye, making the lawn look better than it has in years.
No harmful chemicals are used, and the visual effects last for a long time after the dye is applied to the lawn.
The benefits of using lawn dye
Anything that can be achieved by enhancing the look of a lawn is going to be beneficial to the condition of the lawn.
This is because people want to live in a natural environment.
It is almost impossible for one’s property to be devoid of everything that would give it its natural beauty, which makes the use of these types of products extremely important.
These types of products are made in such a way that they are easy to apply, and offer satisfactory results because of the following:
- made with organic materials (decayed plants or pulverized kaolin) that are not harmful to the environment
- sunlight does not deplete them
- spreads across the lawn in an even manner
- blends well with the color of the grass because of the natural green tone
- prevents overlapping sprays when used with herbicide and fungicide concentrates on lawn
- some are used for pre-construction termite treatment because the dye disappears within 24 to 48 hours
Types of lawn dyes
For practical purposes, the type of lawn dye stain has to be decided.
Combining it with other products (pesticides, fertilizers, weed killers, etc.) can make the application of the dye even easier and more effective.
It is best to consult with a professional regarding what type of lawn dye stain is going to be best for the requirements of your lawn.
In terms of turning your brown lawn to green grass, there are the following formulas available:
- Paints
- Dyes
- Colorants
- Pigments
However, there are several things that have to be considered before one can choose the right type of dye for their lawn.
These include:
- convenient application
- water solubility
- consistent color
- UV resistance
- environmentally friendly
- cost effective
- safe for disposal
Will lawn dye stain concrete?
Lawn dye overspray can stain concrete, if it is not cleaned up before it dries.
Permanent marks on the flooring might be the worst side effect of lawn dye stains on concrete.
Although it will wash away, the stains that remain behind do not come off as easily with water.
Porous surfaces such as concrete, terrazzo, and marble are quite susceptible to the effects of lawn dye.
They should therefore be properly covered before any grass dye accidentally touches them to avoid discoloration.
Doing this will also prevent other indoor surfaces like tiles, cabinets, furniture, etc. from being stained by mistake.
How long does lawn paint last?
Dewy grass, vivid colors and long-lasting effects of lawn dye is a wonderful thing.
But with this comes the need to be able to preserve the results.
It is recommended that lawn dye be applied once or twice every 2 to 3 months, depending on the frequency at which you mow your lawn to get the most out of it.
In order for the color to last, avoid walking on the grass before 2 hours after you apply the lawn dye.
This will ensure that the dye penetrates deep into the grass and stays there until it has dried out by itself.
Anything that might disturb the lawn dye’s application, such as pet or children activities, should be done after it has dried.
How to remove lawn dye stains from floor
In case you accidentally stepped on the wet dyed grass and then stepped onto a carpet or hard surface, the dye will stain both.
In fact, it will even stain those surfaces more intensely than the original color of the grass would have.
The best thing to do in this case is clean the dye off using a damp cloth soaked in warm water and detergent or soap.
Alternatively, hydrogen peroxide can also be used to clean off the dye from undyed surfaces.
Do not scrub the stained fabric though, which might worsen the situation.
Just gently wipe off excess dye, to clean the area.
In case you have spilled lawn dye on concrete or tile, you should clean up as much of the spill as possible using bleach before it has time to dry and become hard to handle.
Ventilate the room before cleaning.
This is because bleach tends to leave an offensive smell behind, which will dissipate faster in a room that has proper ventilation.
How to get lawn dye off skin
The most common places to get spray paint off of skin are the arms, legs and hands.
This is because these parts of the body are more likely to be in contact with dye-covered grass without protective clothing.
Related: Why Do Landscapers Wear Hoodies? 5 Reasons & Clothes to Avoid
The best way to get lawn dye off skin is by using all-purpose household cleaner and water.
If it does not come out, try using a mild bleach, followed by a lot of water scrubbing in order to prevent further staining.
Isopropyl alcohol or kerosene can be used for removing lawn paint from the skin.
Since turpentine is an excellent organic solvent for thinning paint, it should also be able to dissolve lawn dye.
Will house paint cover lawn dye stains on concrete?
Water-based stains are easy to remove from concrete walls and floors using paint.
This is because paints are not only very well-adherent and very resistant to water, but they also have a similar consistency to that of concrete.
House paint will have the same effect on stains from grass dye as well.
By painting over the lawn dye stains, the paint will effectively hide them and make them less visible if not completely invisible.
Applying a tinted water-based primer that is similar to your top coat in terms of the color is necessary to ensure that the lawn dye stains do not show through.
After the primer has dried completely, paint the top coat and ensure that it fully covers all of the affected areas.
How do I remove dye from my lawn?
Ground marking dyes for decoration or lawn care may not necessarily kill plants after application.
However, you may want to get spray paint off of grass because you are planning to have a wedding on your lawn, or you want to have a different color scheme for your lawn.
Whatever the reason is, a painted lawn or pavement should be cleaned off to match the look and feel of the surrounding area and occasion.
A paint-covered lawn usually creates a “contrast effect” and therefore draws the attention of your guests or customers.
In order to get spray paint off of grass and remove stains from walkways, you have a few options available:
- Soap and water
- Pressure washing
- Lawn mowing (Also read: Mowing lawn after 8pm: Regulations, Etiquette)
- Paint removal product like acetone or on bare soil or stone
You might like: How to Make a Gravel Walkway in Grass: 11 Steps to Follow
Ways to avoid having a grass stain on your lawn this season
Fabric, upholstery, carpets, and other traditionally non-waterproof surfaces are prone to lawn dye stains.
Preventing lawn dye stains from occurring is better than removing them, especially if it concerns a large area.
Dirt and debris on lawns, as well as overgrown lawns, are the prime offenders to grass stains.
Freshly mowed and clipped grass are also potential mulch stain causes.
Some of the things that you need to do in order to minimize being stained include:
- wearing protective clothing and shoes when doing the lawn
- avoid stepping on the colored grass when it is wet
- cloth your kids in play outfits when outdoors
- clean fresh grass stains immediately after they appear
Final thoughts
There are many different kinds of lawn paints that can be used to maintain the appearance of the lawn.
Many of these are designed specifically to enhance the appearance of the lawn without harming the environment.
When applying the paint to the lawn, care must be taken to ensure that it doesn’t get onto surrounding areas.
Avoid stepping on the wet dyed grass, especially if it is still wet. Clean up the mess immediately afterwards so that the dye doesn’t rub off onto nearby objects.
Treat the affected area with either bleach or isopropanol to neutralize the stain and prevent further staining.
