Concrete is versatile and durable, making it a popular flooring material for both indoor and outdoor spaces. The reason is that concrete is resistant to stains and can be made plain or stamped/decorated with a unique design. Concrete also offers great flexibility in terms of function and decoration for various types of spaces. Since concrete is absorbent, regular cleaning is necessary to prevent mold and dirt from forming. Cleaning methods vary slightly depending on the type of concrete you are cleaning. However, proper maintenance will keep concrete floors-in homes, garages, or work areas-kept clean and looking new and increase their durability.
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Part 1 of 4: Preparing the Concrete Surface
Step 1. Prepare cleaning equipment
To perform basic cleaning of any type of concrete floor and to remove stains, you will need the main cleaning tools, including:
- Broom and duster/dumpster (or vacuum cleaner)
- Nylon bristle brush for scrubbing stains
- Dish soap and water to clean stains
- Trisodium phosphate (cleaning agent), clothes bleach and detergent for mildew/moss removal
- Cat litter (such as crystalline silica sand, etc.) or cornstarch to clean oily/greasy stains
- Degreaser (high quality cleaning agent that can remove grease, oil, and other heavy stains) to clean tire marks
- Bleach, ammonia or hydrogen peroxide to clean stubborn stains
Step 2. Clear the room
Remove all furniture, decorations, rugs or mats, shoes, and anything else on the floor. Move all these items out of the room, so you don't do cleaning around the furniture or have to move the furniture every time you want to clean the surrounding area.
Step 3. Sweep and clean the floor
Remove all dirt and large debris with the help of a broom, then return to the same surface with a duster to remove dust and fine particles. Cleaning should be done daily, while sweeping or vacuuming can be scheduled weekly.
If you have one, use a vacuum cleaner to speed up and make cleaning more efficient. The use of a vacuum cleaner also prevents dust and soil particles from flying around the room
Step 4. Remove the stain immediately
For ordinary food and drink stains, scrub the concrete floor with soap that has been dissolved in hot water. Take one to two tablespoons (15-30 ml) of liquid dish soap or Castile soap (soap made from pure vegetable oil, not animal oil), dissolve it in ±1.9 liters of water. For oily or oil stains, wet the stained area with water and cover with dish soap. Dip the brush in warm water and use it to scrub the area until it lathers. Wipe and dry the foam with an old cloth or towel, then rinse with clean water.
- To remove mildew/mildew, mix 28.3 grams of laundry detergent and trisodium phosphate each with 946.4 ml of bleach and 2.8 liters of water. Use the mixture to scrub the moldy/mossy floor using a soft brush, then rinse with clean water.
- To remove tire marks (in the garage), spray the floor with water and then pour the degreaser over the stain. Leave the cleaning agent for three to four hours, then scrub with a brush, and rinse thoroughly.
- To remove grease, grease, and the like, sprinkle cat litter or cornstarch onto the stained floor and let sit for three days. After three days, use a vacuum cleaner or broom to remove and remove any cat litter or flour. Dispose of according to the type of lubricant/oil (eg in the trash or through an appropriate recycling facility).
Step 5. Use a stronger cleaning agent for stubborn stains or for reinforced concrete types
If your floor is made of reinforced concrete and you're not worried about the upholstery, you can use harsher cleaning agents, such as bleach, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide to remove stubborn stains. Dissolve one part cleaner in three parts water and spray on the stained area. Let stand for about 20 minutes, then scrub with a brush. Finally, rinse the floor with clean water.
When using hazardous cleaning agents, always wear proper gloves and protective equipment, and make sure the room has good air circulation
Part 2 of 4: Cleaning Stamped or Polished Concrete
Step 1. Prepare cleaning tools
You will need a mop wand and a large bucket, warm water, and a mild, pH-neutral cleaning agent. Do not use ammonia, bleach, or cleaning agents with a high acid/alkaline content, as these can damage the concrete coating. Some good neutral pH cleaners include:
- Gentle dish soap
- Castile Soap
- The cleaning agent is neutral for natural stone materials
- Detergent or floor cleaning agent with neutral pH
Step 2. Fill a large bucket with water
Use ±3.8 liters of warm water. Add approximately 30-60 ml (or in the amount recommended by the manufacturer) laundry soap or cleanser with a neutral pH. Then, stir.
Step 3. Dip a clean mop in the cleaning solution
Once the mop is saturated, wring it out thoroughly. To clean floors, it's a good idea to keep the mop slightly damp: you need to dry the floor quickly, and don't let any residual water remain on the concrete floor.
Step 4. Mop the floor in small sections
Start with the corner furthest from the door and move (backward) toward the door, cleaning small sections at a time. While you're mopping, re-dip the mop in water frequently and wring it out thoroughly. Consider installing a fan that can sway to blow air into the room, making the floor dry faster.
Step 5. Remove any residual soap or cleaning agent
After cleaning the entire floor, throw the water in the bucket. Rinse the mop and bucket, then refill the bucket with clean warm water. Repeat mopping the floor in the same way using the warm water. Dip and wring out the mop thoroughly.
Start mopping from the farthest corner and work your way toward the door. Do the mopping in small parts
Part 3 of 4: Cleaning Concrete Floors in Garages and Outdoors
Step 1. Prepare cleaning equipment
You will need a pressurized sprayer, a brush with stiff nylon bristles and a cleaning product, such as trisodium phosphate or another concrete cleaning agent. If you don't have a pressure sprayer, you can use a regular garden hose. Use a full powered water hose with a high powered sprinkler.
- The use of a pressurized sprayer is recommended for cleaning concrete floors in garages and outdoor areas, as they will clean better. Chances are there is a building or gardening supply store in your town that rents out these tools.
- If you don't have a long-handled brush, use a regular nylon-bristled cleaning brush.
Step 2. Remove any moss or roots growing on the exterior concrete floor
Remove the moss by hand and then use a broom, water hose, or pressurized sprayer to remove dust and remaining dirt from the concrete floor surface.
Step 3. Spray the concrete floor
If possible, open the garage door. Start at the edge closest to the interior and work your way up to the garage or lawn door. Use a pressure sprayer or water hose, and spray the floor extensively to remove dirt and debris. Be sure to spray all nooks, cracks, and crevices in the floor.
Step 4. Cover the floor surface with a dust cleaning agent
Place the broom at one end of the garage or patio, and start spraying the cleaning agent on the floor starting at the other edge and working your way up to the broom position. Make sure the floor is still wet while you do this.
Step 5. Scrub the floor
Use a broom and brush to clean dirt, adhering dust, and dirt from the entire floor surface.
Step 6. Rinse the concrete floor with clean water
Start on the inside and work your way up to an open door or lawn. Spray the floor with pressure to remove any remnants of the cleaning agent and dirt. Leave the door open and allow the floor to dry.
Part 4 of 4: Protecting the Concrete Floor
Step 1. Clean up any spills immediately
This will prevent someone from slipping and prevent the floor from getting dirty. Wipe up spills with a clean towel or rag as soon as possible.
Step 2. Coat the floor with sealant
Sealant is an adhesive that fills gaps as well as coatings that protect the floor so that water, dust or debris does not seep inside. A high-quality sealant will last for several years, so you only need to redo the floor every three to four years. Giving a layer of sealant will protect the concrete floor from abrasions / scratches or stains.
- Choose the right sealant for the concrete floor surface in your home.
- Use a water-based sealant for indoor floors.
Step 3. Coat the floor with wax
Wax (wax-based finish) will not only protect the concrete floor from dust, stains, and abrasion, it will also protect the sealant layer underneath to make it last longer.
