A clean garage floor can help prevent grease and other residue from entering your home. With regular maintenance, garage floors can last longer. Before starting, make sure there are no items lying on the floor. If there are grease, oil, or rust stains, you should treat them first before sweeping the floor. If the garage floor is concrete, you will need to scrub it with a broom, pressure cleaner, and a strong cleaning product. If the floor is epoxy coated, it is recommended to use a gentler method. In this case, you can simply dust and wipe the floor without scrubbing too hard.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Cleaning the Garage
Step 1. Tidy things up on the floor
You should move items that are not permanently attached to the floor. Items left on the floor can interfere with the cleaning process and risk damage. Remove cars, bikes, tools, buckets, boxes, and other items from the garage before you start work.
You can put things on shelves, but make sure they don't get in the way of water spray, hoses, or soap
Step 2. Gypsum cover and power plug
Attach a plastic sheet or tarpaulin to the wall with tacks or duct tape, at least 1 meter high from the floor. Make sure the gypsum or electrical plug is covered in this plastic/tarp. The tarpaulin will protect the walls from splashing water, thereby preventing damage or stains.
Step 3. Sweep the floor
You should sweep the floor first before using cleaning products or dousing it with water. Sweeping the floor will remove dirt, dust, and debris that will interfere with the cleaning process. Collect it in a dustpan, then throw it in the trash.
Method 2 of 4: Removing Stains
Step 1. Wipe up spilled liquid immediately
If you accidentally spill oil or other liquid on the floor, always try to clean it immediately. The liquid can seep into the floor making it difficult to clean later. Use a tissue or washcloth to absorb the liquid. You can throw it away immediately or wash the rag when you're done.
Step 2. Use lemon juice or vinegar for rust stains
If there are rust stains on the concrete floor, try pouring lemon water or vinegar on it. Make sure the entire stain is covered with lemon juice/vinegar. Wait 5 minutes, then pour the same amount again. Use a stiff bristle brush to scrub the stain off the floor.
- If that doesn't work, use the same method, but with a stronger commercial acid solution or rust removal product.
- For stubborn stains, mix water and hydrochloric acid in a ratio of 10:1. Apply the mixture to the stain, then let it sit for 5 minutes before scrubbing it off.
- Do not use an acid and vinegar solution for epoxy floors.
Step 3. Sprinkle cat litter over the oil stain
If you find dry grease stains or oil residue left on the floor after a liquid spill incident, use cat litter that contains clay to treat it. Sprinkle sand over the stain. Leave it for a few hours or overnight to allow the sand to absorb the oil. After that, use a broom to clean it.
If the cat litter doesn't absorb all of the oil after leaving it for a day, replace it with new litter and let it sit for another day. If the oil stain is very severe, you may need to repeat this process for a few days
Step 4. Apply a commercial oil-removal product as an alternative
For grease or oil stains, you can purchase an oil or grease remover product. Follow the instructions on the package label. Generally, you should apply the product to the stain and let it dry. This process can take several hours. Once dry, you can sweep it.
Oil-removal products can be purchased at home improvement stores
Step 5. Scrub stubborn stains with water and detergent
Take a detergent bag, a bucket of warm water, and a stiff-bristled brush. Sprinkle detergent over the stain until it is completely covered. Dip the brush in the water, then scrub the stain vigorously until it's completely gone. When you're done, wipe off the detergent with a rag or paper towel and let it dry.
Method 3 of 4: Scrubbing the Concrete Floor
Step 1. Prepare a cleaning solution
Whatever method you use to clean your garage floor, you'll need a mixture of warm water and soap. You can buy an oil-removal product at a hardware store, auto parts store, or even a convenience store. Follow the instructions on the label to find out how much product you need to mix in a bucket of warm water.
You can also use powdered detergent. Mix 60 grams of detergent for every 4 liters of water used
Step 2. Scrub the floor
If the condition of the floor is a little dirty, scrub it with a coarse-bristled floor brush or broom stick. Pour the cleaning solution on the floor and let it sit for 10-15 minutes to absorb dirt and grease. After that, use a brush to scrub the floor. Do it on the entire floor surface. Finally, rinse the floor by spraying it with a water hose. Let the floor dry by itself.
- Keep the garage door open while you work. Use a broom stick to remove water from the garage. This step will help the drying process.
- Start in the area furthest from the door and move towards it as you work. You'll be near the door when you're done brushing the floor. That way, you don't have to walk on slippery and clean floors.
Step 3. Use a pressure cleaner to treat heavily soiled floors
If the garage floor is very dirty or hasn't been cleaned in a long time, use a pressure cleaner. If you don't have one, you may be able to rent one. Pour the cleaning solution all over the floor and wait about 15 minutes. Turn on the pressure cleaner, spraying the floor while moving the nozzles wide as you do so.
- Continue work by moving the spray over the entire floor surface; do not spray an area for too long as it may scratch the floor.
- Keep the garage door open so water can drain out.
Step 4. Polish the floor for best results
You can rent a floor polisher at a hardware store. This tool can scrub the floor more vigorously than if you did it manually. Use cleaning products that contain soap on the floor. Turn on the floor polisher and move it across the floor. After that, rinse with a high pressure spray. Let the floor dry naturally.
- It will be easier if you divide the floor surface into several parts. You can clean one section first before moving on to another.
- If you rent a floor polisher, choose one that has a nylon sponge. This model is best suited for concrete floors.
Method 4 of 4: Mop Epoxy Floor
Step 1. Clean the floor with a mop every week
Epoxy floors do not require a complicated cleaning process. You can keep the floor clean by mopping it once a week. Mop the entire floor surface. Then, wash the mop head in the washing machine after use.
If you don't have a mop, you can use a soft-bristled broom. Sweep up the dirt and collect it in a dustpan, then throw it in the trash
Step 2. Wash the floor
Every three or four months, it is recommended to wash the floor with a foam mop. Mix cup of ammonia in 4 liters of hot water. Dip the mop in the solution, then sweep it all over the floor. When you're done, let the floor dry naturally or dry with an old towel.
- Do not use cleaners that contain soap, such as detergent, as they can leave residue on the floor.
- A stringy mop can leave water spots on the floor.
Step 3. Remove residue and stains with hot water
If there are traces of waste on the epoxy floor from road treatment or salt, flush it with hot water to remove it. Dry the entire surface with a washcloth or towel when you're done. If you want, you can spray the floor with a water hose and then clean it with a mop.
Step 4. Scrub the stain with the cleaning solution
Pour hot water over the stain and rub gently with a soft or coarse sponge. If needed, you can use a mild cleaning product. Apply on the stain, scrub and rinse afterward.
Do not use abrasive or highly concentrated cleaning products on epoxy floors
Tips
- If you're having trouble keeping your concrete floor clean, consider coating it with an epoxy. This will make the floor more resistant to stains and easier to clean.
- Cleaning the garage can take all day. Make sure you spend enough time working on it.
