Paan and gutkha stains are among the most stubborn marks on public walkways. Their vivid pigments and sticky binders soak deep into porous materials like concrete, natural stone and block paving—making “quick fixes” frustratingly ineffective. Here’s a practical, professional approach to restore your pavements and keep them cleaner for longer.
Paan and gutkha stains are among the most stubborn marks on public walkways. Their vivid pigments and sticky binders soak deep into porous materials like concrete, natural stone and block paving—making “quick fixes” frustratingly ineffective. Here’s a practical, professional approach to restore your pavements and keep them cleaner for longer.
Paan residue is rich in organic pigments and tannin-like compounds. On a microscopic level, open-pored surfaces act like capillaries, drawing these organic contaminants below the surface where regular mopping—or even a pass with a jet washer—can’t reach. That’s why you’ll often see a red halo reappear after the pavement dries. To truly shift the stain, you need a cleaner that penetrates the substrate and breaks down organic soiling so it can be rinsed away.
Epicuro Surface Reviver is designed precisely for this challenge: it’s a penetrating cleaner for stone, block paving and concrete that extracts “normally impossible” staining caused by organic soiling, lichen, algae and similar contaminants .
Pressure washing is mechanical. It can help remove loose surface residue, but it doesn’t provide the chemistry needed to lift embedded organic contamination. In fact, hitting stubborn paan stains repeatedly with high pressure can leave them looking “clean when wet” and then ghost back as they dry.
A targeted chemical action is essential. Epicuro Surface Reviver is formulated to quickly lift contamination without the need for heavy scrubbing or reliance on power washing alone, making it ideal for stains rooted inside porous pavements. The most effective process pairs chemistry with a rinse: let the cleaner penetrate and do the breakdown, then flush the residue away.
Epicuro Surface Reviver is a high‑performance, biodegradable, acid‑free and solvent‑free cleaner with a low odour—safe to use on porous hardscapes in public areas. It penetrates into the pavement, breaks down organic staining (including fruit-like residues) and extracts them to the surface for easy removal, returning surfaces to their “as‑new” appearance .
How to use it on paan stains:
Why this works for paan: the product’s alkaline, penetrating formulation targets the organic nature of the contamination and actively extracts it—rather than just blasting the surface and hoping for the best .
Pro tip: Urban spots often have mixed soiling (oils, fuel drips, food residues). Where oily contamination is present alongside paan stains, Epicuro CL05‑eco can be used on granite, concrete and other stone to extract tough oil and diesel staining before final rinsing and finishing, complementing the organic‑stain action of Surface Reviver .
Stains lodged inside pavements won’t be resolved by surface‑only cleaners. Penetrating cleaners reach into the pore structure and loosen contamination at depth, so it can be flushed out. Epicuro Surface Reviver is specifically described as a penetrating cleaner that “extracts normally impossible staining,” giving you a realistic way to deal with embedded organic residues that typical detergents or repeated jet‑washing fail to remove . Because it’s solvent‑ and acid‑free and biodegradable, it’s also a considerate choice for public‑realm maintenance where safety, odour and substrate integrity matter .
Once you’ve restored the surface, lock in the clean with a durable hydrophobic treatment. Epicuro Hydrophobic Protection creates an invisible, breathable barrier on porous surfaces (concrete, brick, natural and artificial stone) that repels water and oily liquids, helping contaminants sit on the surface rather than soaking in—so cleaning becomes faster, cheaper and less disruptive. The treatment is non‑film‑forming, UV‑resistant, and does not alter slip resistance or appearance. It also provides anti‑stain and anti‑graffiti benefits and even allows easier chewing‑gum removal—perfect for high‑footfall pavements where paan and other soiling are recurring issues.
Application is simple: apply 1–2 coats to saturation with brush, roller or low‑pressure spray, keeping the surface wet‑on‑wet for around 10 minutes between coats. It dries in 1–2 hours, with full resistance developing in 5–7 days. When applied by an Approved Applicator, performance is guaranteed for up to 15 years (5 years in high foot‑traffic areas), offering long‑term savings and predictable maintenance cycles .
Why this matters for paan: by preventing the penetration of water and oily liquids, Hydrophobic Protection reduces the depth and tenacity of future organic staining. That means routine cleaning removes residues before they become permanent eyesores, keeping public spaces smarter for longer and minimising repeat deep‑clean interventions.
If paan stains are blighting your walkways, combine Epicuro Surface Reviver for deep, penetrating removal of organic contamination with Epicuro Hydrophobic Protection to shield against future soiling and simplify maintenance. To discuss your site, arrange a trial, or connect with an Approved Applicator, contact Epicuro today. Our team can help you choose the right products and methods for your specific pavement materials and traffic demands.
