Concrete has become one of the most useful products for almost every homeowner due to its durability, low maintenance ability and minimum cost. It doesn’t mean that concrete is resistant to stains, it also requires proper maintenance with the right products and tools for different stains like mold, oil and grease, tire marks etc. So, are you also struggling to clean your concrete floor, driveways or patios with a matt finish look? You are in the right place, because you are reading that guide in which you’ll explore great tips and methods regarding how to clean and restore concrete surface or best ways to clean your concrete surface, so that the longevity of concrete will remain for the maximum possible time.
Tips to Maintain the Durability of Concrete Floors
Usually, concrete floors and driveways should be cleaned thoroughly at least twice in a year or as needed to maintain the shape of its stability and longevity. If you notice any oil and grease stain on your concrete floor or driveway, don’t wait because the stains become stubborn after a while and require extra effort to clean. Sweep regularly to clean debris and dust, wash weekly to the outdoor or indoor floors like garages, driveways, walkways and patios. If you have a concrete countertop then wash it daily after preparing a meal, to keep it tip-top.
You often think, what is the best cleaner for concrete? Typically it depends on the stain type and their lasting, the material will also change for the stain types such as for mold use trisodium phosphate, for oil and grease use detergent with baking soda for fast results and for tire use concrete degreaser with brush etc.
What You’ll Need?
Tools:
- Broom, Leaf blower or Vacuum
- Power / Pressure washer (optional)
- Garden hose with spray nozzle (if needed)
- Safety Goggles and Gloves
- Stiff Nylon scrub brush
- Old towel or damp cloth
- Spray bottle
- Bucket
- Mop
Materials:
For Floors:
- Laundry detergent
- Dishwashing liquid (sealed or painted)
- Baking soda
- Distilled vinegar
- Oxygen bleach (polished concrete)
For Stains:
- Chlorine bleach
- Oxalic acid or commercial cleaner
- Concrete Degreaser
- Distilled vinegar
- Cornstarch
- Trisodium phosphate (for moss)
- Baking soda
- Kitty litter
Now from here the guide is going to be interesting, because we are starting our procedure for concrete cleaning, according to the type of material and stain on concrete for required results.
Instructions and Precautions
1. First, make sure to remove debris and dust with a sweeper properly, before starting any procedure.
2. Inspect any crack or break in the concrete floor. If you notice any crack, repair it first and if you need guidance then check our article that is How to repair cracks in concrete.
3. Do a spot test for cleaner testing on an unnoticeable area, to ensure that your cleaner will not cause further damage or discoloration to your concrete.
4. In case you are cleaning painted concrete, do not use excessive water. It can damage the color structure.
5. If you’re removing moss from concrete then don’t use a power washer, just use baking and scrubber to remove it.
6. Make sure to not add baking soda with a power washer because it can clog the jet.
7. If you’re facing trouble with concrete cleaning, then call a professional, because they have experience, advanced tools and chemicals for deep cleaning concrete surfaces thoroughly.
Note: Increase the quantity of chemicals and water as the size of stains or floor increases.
How to Clean Concrete Floors (Sealed / Unsealed, Painted & Polished Floors)
Sealed, painted and polished concrete floors add an extra layer of protection and keep it cleaner and prolonged, while these floors also need to be cleaned weekly to increase their lasting ability and prevent them from frequent damage.
Sealed Concrete Floors:
- Seep off or vacuum to remove any debris or dust from the floor.
- To mop the floor, take 2 gallons of warm water according to the floor size, add 2 to 3 teaspoons of dishwashing liquid and mix it well.
- Avoid using harsh cleaners because it can break or dull the sealant.
- Mop the floor with the solution of warm water properly.
- Then rinse or mop the floor again with clean / normal water and let the surface dry.
Unsealed Concrete Floors:
- Seep off or vacuum to remove any debris or dust from the floor.
- Using a garden hose, wet the concrete. Now apply the mixture of trisodium phosphate and warm water on the floor, then scrub the concrete floor with this solution by a stiff brush or broom.
- If you have a power / pressure washer then use it in this step for your convenience.
- Wash the floor with clean water and let it dry.
Painted Concrete Floors:
- Remove any soil from the floor with a vacuum or broom.
- Make a little mixture of warm water and dishwasher, use a mop to apply it on the floor and scrub with a very slight hand.
- Avoid using any harsh material like bleach to protect the surface of your painted concrete floor.
- Then wash with normal water and leave it to dry.
Polished Concrete Floors:
- First use a broom or vacuum to clean any dust.
- Add 2 tablespoons of dishwasher liquid in a bucket of warm water, no need for excess water. Apply this solution on the floor with a mop.
- Then clean your floor with normal water to avoid any residue of solution. Allow the surface to dry completely.
How to Remove or Clean Stains from Concrete:
Cleaning stains from concrete depends on the lasting and type of stains. It might be tricky or easy because tire marks or mildew require some stronger chemical material for cleaning as compared to grease and oil stain.
Removing Mold and Mildew Stains:
When you’re dealing with normal mold and mildew stains, just chemicals are enough to clean it. Make a mixture of two tablespoons of “trisodium phosphate” with two tablespoons of laundry detergent and some water in a spray bottle. Spray it on the mildew or mold stained area, then leave it for 10 to 20 minutes to allow cleaner for work or you can also use “mold-killing detergent” . After that scrub it with a stiff nylon brush and rinse it with a garden hose or clean with old damp cloth.
If you’re dealing with stubborn mold or mildew then use chlorine bleach with warm water in a spray bottle, spray the solution on the stained area and allow chemicals to work, now use a stiff brush to scrub and clean it with a damp cloth or garden hose.
Note: Don’t use a broom to sweep off the mold if you’re cleaning mold in your basement, because it will spread around everywhere and cause bigger problems. Wear protective gloves and gears if you are using chlorine bleach and work in a basement or garage then make sure to open the window or the area is ventilated.
How to Remove Oil and Grease Stains from Concrete:
When the oil stain is freshed then use a kitty litter or cornstarch to remove that. Apply two to three layers of kitty litter on the stain and leave it for three days. This way it has a lot of time to soak up the oil, after that sweep off or vacuum to clean and check if the oil stain still has there, then repeat the step.
If the stain of oil and grease has been there for a while, apply the mixture of two or three tablespoons of “vinegar or baking soda” and detergent with some water according to the size of stain or use “concrete degreaser” on the stained area and leave it for a while, then scrub the area with stiff nylon scrub brush and wash it with clean water.
How to Clean Rust Stains on the Concrete:
Usually, rust stains come from furniture or tools and you can easily remove these stains with just the right materials. If the stains are light then use distilled vinegar or lemon juice with some salt on the stained area, leave it for 10 to 20 minutes then scrub the area with nylon brush and wash it. If the stains are dark, use commercial rust removing spray, follow the same procedure as above or according to the labeled instructions given on the bottle.
How to Remove Tire Marks from the Concrete Porch:
For removing tire marks from the concrete porch or driveway use a commercial concrete degreaser and apply it on the marks. Leave the chemical for at least four to five hours before scrubbing it. After four hours use a stiff bristle nylon brush to scrub the area thoroughly and wash it with clean water to remove any residual and let it dry. Repeat it if needed.
How to Clean My Patio?
For cleaning the patio of your house you just need some basic household tools and chemicals. Choose a mild temperate day to implement your procedure on the outdoor concrete floor, because it will prevent the solution from evaporating. Some people always ask these questions; Can I use bleach or vinegar to clean my patio? Yes you can, these chemicals are eco-friendly and easily clean your patio without making any hazard to your concrete floor.
- Remove all things from your patio such as flower pots, cars, toys and unnecessary objects. Now clean the concrete with a broom or vacuum to sweep away leaves, soil, debris and dust.
- Wet the concrete with a garden hose or spray.
- Make a cleaning solution by mixing one cup of vinegar or baking soda with one quarter water in a bucket. Mix it well until the foam disappears. Or you can also use commercial concrete cleaners.
- Do Not take water if the marks are there for a while to easily remove them, but for your safety wear a mask and safety goggles.
- Spread the cleaning solution on the marks thoroughly with the mop and leave it for at least 30 minutes.
- After that, slightly rub the area if the tire marks are stubborn.
- Now wash the patio with water to remove any residues of chemicals.
- Let the concrete dry and if you want to protect your concrete floor from future stains, apply sealant after all the procedure and for a guide to apply read our article How long does it take for a concrete sealer to dry?
How to Keep Concrete Clean Longer?
If you’re struggling to clean your concrete floors again and again, then you should follow some tips to keep your concrete floors clean longer. Below are some tips we’re mentioning to protect your concrete floors for a longer period of time from stubborn stains.
Regularly clean your concrete floors with a broom to sweep away any debris, dust and soil. Mop the floor with water at least after two days to prevent stains, tire marks and soil. Use a high quality sealant to protect the surface. When you know how to clean your concrete properly you can double the life span of your floors by just consistent care and crack repairing.
If you want to install a concrete floor on your house and commercial areas then you can contact Prep-N-Reno. They use high quality concrete for their clients by protecting them from repeated repairs. They also have highly experienced and skilled staff and are always ready at your call for the complaint to give their customers a satisfied and stress free experience.
FAQs Related to Concrete Cleaning:
1. Can I use detergent with a pressure washer?
Yes, you can use detergent with a pressure washer, but make sure that the detergent is specially designed for power pressure to avoid any damage or crack on concrete.
2. Can I damage concrete by power washing?
Yes, a pressure washer can damage the concrete surface, if you use it with improper technique and excessive pressure to clean. It can cause cracks and chipped on concrete floors or tiles.
3. How do I remove paint from concrete?
To remove paint from concrete surface you can use paint stripper, plastic scraper, paint removing thinner, pressure washer or acetone. Acetone is the best option for removing paint for all types of paint. But if you have sealant or polished concrete, remove it first then paint.
4. Does vinegar clean concrete?
Yes, vinegar can easily clean concrete with proper technique by preventing its original condition and vinegar is an eco-friendly option for cleaning concrete.
5. What is the best thing to clean concrete with?
Usually, the best thing for concrete cleaning is concrete degreaser which professionals use. But you can easily clean concrete with baking soda, vinegar or dishwasher and detergent with needed quantity because the cleaner of concrete depends on the type of cleaning purposes.