You know those mystery stains on your driveway or patio? Are those that look like your concrete trying to cosplay as a ghost? Yeah—those white cloudy stains. They show up out of nowhere and make your beautifully sealed floor look like dandruff.
So, what’s the fix? Will power washing get rid of it? Let’s break it down.
What Causes White Cloudy Stains on Floors?
Before we talk removal, we need to understand the enemy.
Here’s why white cloudy stains show up in the first place:
- Trapped moisture: Water got stuck under the sealer, and now it’s trying to break free.
- Efflorescence: A natural reaction where salts migrate up through the concrete and leave white residue.
- Over-applied sealer: Too many coats or cheap acrylic sealers can haze up when exposed to the sun.
- Wrong product for the surface: Not all sealers work for every material—bad pairings can turn ugly fast.
We see this a lot in Palm Beach homes with pavers or decorative concrete. Florida’s humidity doesn’t help either!
Can Power Washing Remove White Cloudy Stains?
Short answer? Sometimes.
Power washing can help—but it’s not always a complete solution.
Will power washing remove cloudy sealer on floors?
Here’s what we do at All About Pressure Clean & Seal:
- We test the surface first to see if the issue is surface-level or deeper in the sealer.
- We use power washing in Palm Beach County with the right PSI—not too aggressive or you’ll damage the finish.
- If needed, we strip the old sealer before applying a high-quality, breathable sealer.
When power washing works:
- If the stains are just surface salts or light hazing
- If the area hasn’t been sealed over and over again
When it doesn’t work:
- If the stain is inside the sealer
- If moisture has been locked under multiple sealer coats
How Do You Fix White Cloudy Stains Properly?
Fixing white cloudy stains isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. Here’s the process we follow:
Step-by-step process:
- Step 1: Inspect the surface
- Moisture meter check
- UV damage assessment
- Step 2: Clean or strip as needed
- Power washing in Palm Beach County for surface-level problems
- Chemical stripping if the sealer is the root cause
- Step 3: Reseal the right way
- We apply breathable, UV-stable sealers suited to Florida conditions
- Avoid over-application to prevent hazing again
How do you fix cloudy sealer on a patio?
In most cases:
- Strip the bad sealer
- Clean and dry the surface thoroughly
- Reseal with the correct product after proper prep
We also schedule sealing jobs around weather forecasts to avoid trapping moisture.
Real Example from Palm Beach County
One of our customers in Boca Raton had a white, blotchy pool deck sealed by another contractor. The haze looked like spilled milk and would not budge with DIY cleaners. We stripped the surface, used power washing to prep it, and resealed with a color-enhancing sealer. The customer was thrilled:
“I honestly thought I’d have to replace the whole patio. These guys brought it back to life. It’s better than new!”
— Amanda T., Boca Raton
We’ve restored over 250 patios and driveways across Palm Beach County. We know what works, and what doesn’t.
Why Trust All About Pressure Clean & Seal?
- Licensed and insured in Palm Beach County
- 5-star reviews from local homeowners
- Experts in paver restoration, concrete sealing, and problem-solving hazy finishes
- We don’t guess—we test, clean, seal, and protect
If you’re dealing with a stubborn case of white cloudy stains, don’t just throw water at it and hope for the best.
Power washing alone can’t always remove white cloudy stains, but it’s a powerful tool when used by pros who understand surface science. If you’re in Palm Beach County and want the job done right, let us help.
Got a cloudy patio, ghosted driveway, or mystery milky stains? Don’t wait!
Send us a photo today and we’ll tell you what’s going on—for free.
👉 Or call us now at 754-266-1885 to book your free floor inspection.
Spring spots are filling up fast. Book your quote before the rainy season hits!
